Apple and Cranberry Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Bars. An incredibly quick & easy recipe, sweet cream cheese puff pastry sandwiches loaded with juicy apples and cranberries makes for a perfect sweet snack
Apple and Cranberry Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Bars. All I can say is WOW! When you bite into these bars you just want to close your eyes and enjoy all the delicious flavors and textures.
The combination of the chunky apple and the slightly chewy cranberries is a wonderful contrast together with the creaminess of the sweetened cream cheese. Added to that, you get a little after taste of pumpkin spice, just to bring you into the feeling of Fall and all things comforting and cozy.
As for the pastry. Well, what can I say other than crisp, flaky, light, DELICIOUS!
This site contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, check Privacy Policy.
The recipe itself is very straightforward, the ingredients are readily available and inexpensive.
Variations
You can also be as flexible as you like, so try swapping the apple for pears, or perhaps peaches. Add some cinnamon or a mix of cinnamon and nutmeg instead of pumpkin spice..... add raisins or craisins.
Have a play around with the ingredients, stick to the same amounts as the recipe states and just enjoy your creation!
We've got a few Crescent Roll Cheesecake Bar recipes so do take a look!
The beauty of this recipe is that you can also prepare ahead if you wish, and freeze or refrigerate before you bake. Although the preparation really doesn't take much time at all, but if you wanted to make ahead, then you could!
So without further ado, let's head right on to how we make these little treats and please do enjoy!
Prep time
10 minutes
Baking time
40 minutes
Serving size
12 bars
Ingredients
1 can of Pillsbury Crescent rolls or 1 sheet of ready rolled puff pastry
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
3 – 4 Tablespoons powdered sugar
¼ tsp pumpkin spice
3 Granny Smith Apples
3 Tablespoons Dried Cranberries
Squeeze of lemon juice
2 Tablespoons Regular Sugar
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
Sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
1. Pre heat oven to 350 F or 180 C. Line the 8 x 8 baking pan with foil, including the sides and then grease with some melted butter.
Unroll and spread the crescent rolls or puff pastry sheets flat then cut in half. Then with one half of the pastry, line the bottom of the greased pan.
**NOTE: As you can see from the photos below, I used a loaf pan. Feel free to use whatever oven-proof pan you like. You just need to make sure you cut the pastry to the size of your pan. The bake times will all be roughly the same.
2. Peel, core and cut the apples in to small bite sized chunks. Add to a mixing bowl together with the dried cranberries and squeeze of lemon juice, pumpkin spice and 2 Tablespoons of regular sugar.
3. In a separate bowl, add the cream cheese and powdered sugar and mix so it is a thick paste.
Then transfer to the apple mixture and combine well.
4. Spread the mixture evenly over the crescent roll / puff pastry layer, make sure you reach the corners too.
5. Carefully place the other layer of pastry on top of the cream cheese mixture, then using a brush, spread the melted butter on the pastry and then a sprinkling of sugar.
Top Tips
If you would like to freeze this, do so at this point, but BEFORE you add the melted butter and sugar. Then when you're ready to bake, bring to room temperature, spread the melted butter and sugar and simply bake as the instructions below.
6. Bake for 40 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool for at least 1 hour before trying to slice, so it can firm up a little. Serve as it is or with a nice blob of whipped cream!
So delicious!
Top Tips
If you're making these ahead and want them to crisp up again the next day, simply pop them in the oven on a high temperature for 5 minutes maximum.
Often with pastries, when you store them in an air tight container, they tend to go soft, which is fine, but for those who like crispy, just reheat!
We'd love to hear from you and what you thought of our post. Did you make any changes or add some other goodies? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading and happy cooking!
Recipe Card
Apple and Cranberry Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Bars
Apple and Cranberry Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Bars. An incredibly quick & easy recipe, sweet cream cheese puff pastry sandwiches loaded with juicy apples and cranberries makes for a perfect sweet snack
Ingredients
- 1 can of Pillsbury Crescent rolls or 1 sheet of ready rolled puff pastry
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 3 Tablespoons – 4 powdered sugar
- ¼ tsp pumpkin spice
- 3 Granny Smith Apples
- 3 Tablespoons Dried Cranberries
- Squeeze of lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons Regular Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
- Sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Pre heat oven to 350 F or 180 C.
- Unroll and spread the crescent rolls or puff pastry sheets flat then cut in half. Then with one half of the pastry, line the bottom of a greased 8 x 8 baking pan. I also line the pan with foil first so it is easier to lift out after baking.
- Peel, core and cut the apples in to small bite sized chunks. Add to a mixing bowl together with the dried cranberries and squeeze of lemon juice, pumpkin spice and 2 Tablespoons of regular sugar.
- In a separate bowl, add the cream cheese and powdered sugar and mix so it is a thick paste. Then transfer to the apple mixture and combine well.
- Spread the mixture evenly over the crescent roll / puff pastry layer, make sure you reach the corners too.
- Carefully place the other layer of pastry on top of the cream cheese mixture, then using a brush, spread the melted butter on the pastry and then a sprinkling of sugar.
- Bake for 40 minutes until golden brown.Allow to cool for at least 1 hour before trying to slice, so it can firm up a little. Serve as it is or with a nice blob of whipped cream!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 352Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 159mgCarbohydrates: 58gFiber: 1gSugar: 49gProtein: 3g
Delicious Sweet Recipes Using Pastry
Here's a selection of delicious sweet recipes using pastry
French Fruit Tart With Pastry Cream is a wonderful homemade sweet French pastry (Pâte Sablée) tart case, filled with silky smooth creme patissiere and then decorated with a variety of fresh fruits. A French patisserie classic dessert and a showstopper for parties!
Mini Almond Pastries.
These Mini Almond Pastries have a deliciously smooth, sweet, almond paste filling and are wrapped in crispy, light puff pastry. Quick and easy to make, and perfect for a tea time treat.
Easy Sesame Brown Sugar French Palmier Cookies, AKA Elephant Ears. These are a very easy to make crispy puff pastry cookie, filled with sesame seeds and brown sugar. Great for the holidays!
Blueberry Crescent Roll Cheesecake Bars. An incredibly easy recipe with cream cheese and blueberry filling sandwiched between layers of pastry.
How To Make French Pastry (Pâte Sablée), easy step by step guide on making this sweet, buttery crisp tart shell. A classic famous sweet pastry dough recipe
Baklava is a Middle Eastern classic sweet treat, filled with a variety of nuts, honey, citrus, and spices, between layers of crunchy phyllo pastry. Ideal for serving at parties, or to have as a snack. An easy and simple recipe for the best baklava!
Cherry Crescent Roll Cheesecake Bars. A.K.A Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars. An incredibly quick, easy recipe with cream cheese and cherries sandwiched between layers of flaky buttery golden pastry. Popular cream cheese crescent roll dessert
Easy Vanilla Slices. Creamy custard sandwiched between sheets of crispy puff pastry make for a nice chilled treat perfect for any occasion.
Delicious Apple and Custard Strudel, serve warm on their own or add a blob of whipped cream!
Easy Apple Spiced Turnovers. Crispy puff pastry packed with apples coated in cinnamon. Delicious eaten warm or chilled with a blob of ice cream too! Easy recipe, budget friendly and freezable.
Almond Pastries. A very quick and easy recipe. Delicious almond filling wrapped in a buttery flaky pastry.
Easy Cherry Custard Pastries are perfect for serving at a tea party, or just to have for yourself! Easy to make and fun for kids to help too.
Mini Caramel Apple Pastries. Delightful mini pastries filled with caramel and apples and oh so easy to make!
Strawberry Crescent Roll Cheesecake Bars. An incredibly easy and fuss free recipe with cream cheese and strawberry filling sandwiched between layers of pastry. This tastes amazing!