If you’re looking for the perfect balance between creamy and flaky, cheesecake crescent rolls might just become your new favorite dessert. With a golden, buttery crust wrapped around a sweet, tangy cheesecake filling, every bite is pure indulgence. You won’t believe how easy they are to make—read on to discover the irresistible recipe that’s been winning hearts and taste buds!
Cheesecake Crescent Rolls
Description
Buttery, golden crescent rolls filled with sweet, tangy cream cheese and kissed with cinnamon sugar — these Cheesecake Crescent Rolls are such a joy to make and even more joyful to eat. They remind me of lazy Sunday mornings with slippers on, coffee brewing in the background, and that unmistakable aroma of warm pastry filling my kitchen.
The texture is exactly what I love in a quick-bake dessert. The outside is crisp and flaky from the crescent dough, while the inside stays velvety thanks to a simple yet luscious cheesecake filling. I like to make these for brunch get-togethers, when I want to serve something that looks fancy but is secretly fuss-free. You can even dress them up with fresh berries or a drizzle of honey if you are feeling extra.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to prepare using store-bought dough
- Minimal ingredients — just staples like cream cheese and sugar
- Perfect blend of creamy, crispy, and sweet
- Easy to customize with fillings or toppings
- Great served warm or chilled
Whether you’re hosting family or treating yourself after dinner, these cheesecake crescent rolls deliver that perfect bite of comfort with very little effort.
Serving and Storage Tips
Serve them warm out of the oven for that melty center and crispy bite. They are also surprisingly delicious straight from the fridge — kind of like mini hand-held cheesecakes. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
If you’d like to freeze them, cool completely first, then wrap and freeze for up to two months. Reheat in a 300-degree oven for 5 to 7 minutes, or microwave for 10 to 15 seconds if you’re in a hurry.
Planning ahead? You can prep the rolls and refrigerate them unbaked for a few hours — just bake when you’re ready to serve for the best texture and flavor.
Course, Cuisine, Keywords
Breakfast, Dessert, American, Cheesecake crescent rolls, crescent roll desserts, easy cheesecake recipes, brunch pastries
Servings, Prep Time, Cook Time, Total Time, Serving Size
| Servings: | 8 |
| Prep Time: | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time: | 15 minutes |
| Total Time: | 25 minutes |
| Serving Size: | 1 roll |
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 third cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Pastry brush
- Spoon or spatula
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and set it aside.
- Make the filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and one third cup granulated sugar. Beat the mixture until it’s creamy and smooth. I recommend using a hand mixer — it’s faster and ensures no lumps in your filling.
- Prepare the dough: Open the can of crescent dough and separate it into 8 triangles along the perforated lines. If you’re using dough sheets, simply cut them into 8 triangles with a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
- Fill the crescents: Drop about one tablespoon of the cream cheese filling onto the wide end of each triangle. Do not overfill — it may leak out during baking, though honestly that caramelized filling on the pan edges is secretly my favorite part.
- Roll them up: Gently roll each triangle from the wide end to the narrow tip, tucking the edges under slightly to keep the cream cheese cradled inside. Place them seam side down on the prepared baking sheet with about two inches between each one.
- Make the cinnamon sugar: In a small bowl, mix the remaining two tablespoons of sugar with the cinnamon. Set aside.
- Brush and sprinkle: Brush the tops of each crescent with melted butter using a pastry brush. Then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture generously on top. Feel free to go heavy here — that crunchy sweet topping is what gives these rolls their finished bakery look.
- Bake: Bake the crescent rolls for 13 to 15 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden brown and fully baked through. Keep a close eye during the last few minutes as oven temperatures can vary.
- Cool and serve: Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes before serving. They’re amazing warm and just as tasty once chilled if you want that real cheesecake texture.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 245 |
| Protein | 3g |
| Carbohydrates | 22g |
| Fat | 16g |
| Sugar | 11g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sodium | 240mg |
For a fruity twist, try adding a teaspoon of raspberry preserves over the cream cheese before rolling. It creates a delicious swirl effect and adds a pop of tart flavor.
FAQ
Can I use whipped cream cheese?
Yes, whipped cream cheese works fine, but keep in mind it is lighter so your filling may puff a bit more during baking. It also tends to blend more easily if mixing by hand.
What fillings can I use besides cheesecake?
Nutella, apple pie filling, or even sweetened ricotta are fun variations. Just make sure to keep the amount to about one tablespoon to prevent overflow.
Can these be made gluten-free?
Yes, use a gluten-free crescent dough if available and double-check the cream cheese label to make sure it is certified gluten-free.
We hope you enjoyed this article about cheesecake crescent rolls! If you did, we’d love to hear from you—leave a comment and let us know what you think. And if it’s not too much trouble, please pin this article or any photo from it on Pinterest and give our pin a like. It helps more people discover our recipes and allows us to keep bringing you even better content. Thank you! 💛
Cheesecake Crescent Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and 1/3 cup granulated sugar. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into 8 individual triangles.
- Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese filling onto the wide end of each triangle.
- Roll each piece of dough starting from the wide end and tuck the ends underneath to prevent filling leakage.
- Place the rolls on the prepared baking sheet with space between each.
- Mix the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar with the cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Brush the tops of each roll with melted butter, then sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar.
- Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown and dough is cooked through.
- Allow the rolls to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or chilled.
