These cherry pie bites are like little pockets of joy! Filled with sweet cherry filling and wrapped in a flaky crust, they’re perfect for a quick treat.
I’ve made these so many times; they disappear in a flash! Whether for a party or a cozy night in, they’re always a hit. Just don’t blame me if you can’t stop at one! 😄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Crescent Roll Dough: This is the star of the show for these bites! If you don’t have crescent rolls, you can use puff pastry or even biscuit dough. Just make sure to roll it out thin enough to fit in the muffin cups.
Cherry Pie Filling: This filling is simple, but if you want to make it yourself, fresh or frozen cherries cooked with sugar and cornstarch will work well too! Alternatively, any other fruit filling like blueberry or apple can be used.
Cream Cheese: Cream cheese adds richness. If you’re looking for a lighter option, Greek yogurt can be a great substitute. You could even use ricotta for a slightly different flavor!
Sugar: Granulated sugar is common, but you can replace it with brown sugar for a deeper flavor or another sweetener like honey, agave, or even a sugar substitute if you’re avoiding sugar.
How Do I Shape the Crescent Roll Dough in the Muffin Tin?
Shaping the dough is key to creating those perfect little cups for your filling. Here’s how to do it:
- After opening the crescent roll dough, separate it into triangles.
- Press each triangle firmly into a muffin cup, making sure the edges rise above the rim a bit to hold in the filling.
- Overlap the dough slightly at the base for a sturdier cup. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect, they’ll turn out delicious either way!
This process gives each bite its charming shape while ensuring there’s enough dough to create a nice crust. Personal tip: If the dough tears, just pinch it back together!
How to Make Cherry Pie Bites
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cherry Pie Bites:
- 1 package (about 14 ounces) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
For the Optional Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take you around 10 minutes to prep and about 20 minutes to bake, so in total, you’re looking at about 30 minutes to enjoy some delicious cherry pie bites!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it heats up, lightly grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin to ensure your bites don’t stick.
2. Prepare the Dough:
Open your package of crescent roll dough and separate it into 8 triangles. This dough is what will create the lovely little cups for your cherry pie filling.
3. Make the Cream Cheese Mixture:
In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and all-purpose flour until everything is smooth and creamy. This mixture will add a nice richness to your bites!
4. Shape the Dough in the Muffin Tin:
Press each crescent roll triangle firmly into a muffin cup. Shape the dough to create a little crust by overlapping the dough in the center. It’s okay if it’s not perfect; you want it to look like a cup!
5. Fill the Cups:
Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture into the bottom of each dough cup. Then, add a dollop of cherry pie filling on top of the cream cheese—about 1 tablespoon should do!
6. Prepare for Baking:
If there are any excess dough edges, fold them in slightly. Then, lightly brush the exposed dough edges with the beaten egg to help them turn golden brown as they bake.
7. Bake the Bites:
Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. You want the crescent dough to be golden brown and fully cooked through.
8. Cool and Prepare the Glaze:
Once baked, remove the pie bites from the oven and let them cool in the tin for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. If you’d like to add the optional glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth, and drizzle it over the cooled cherry pie bites.
9. Serve and Enjoy!
These cherry pie bites are perfect warm or at room temperature. Serve them up and enjoy these sweet, flaky treats that are sure to delight your family and friends!
Can I Use Fresh or Frozen Cherries Instead of Canned Pie Filling?
Absolutely! If you want to use fresh or frozen cherries, simply cook them down with some sugar and a bit of cornstarch to create a thick filling. This will give you a delicious homemade filling for your bites!
How Do I Store Leftover Cherry Pie Bites?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just reheat them in the microwave or oven before serving to restore their flaky texture.
Can I Make These Cherry Pie Bites Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the cream cheese mixture and fill the dough cups ahead of time, then store them covered in the fridge for up to a day before baking. Just remember to brush the edges with the egg wash right before baking!
What Other Fillings Can I Use?
Feel free to get creative! You can substitute the cherry filling with any flavor of fruit pie filling, like blueberry or peach. You could even try chocolate chips, Nutella, or even a savory filling for a different twist!
