Apple Cream Cheese Crescent Squares
Buttery crescent roll squares layered with sweetened cream cheese and apple pie filling, finished with cinnamon sugar and baked until golden. A simple, crowd-pleasing dessert that combines flaky pastry with warm spiced apples. Serve warm or at room temperature for potlucks, family gatherings, or casual weeknight desserts. This version uses pie filling for convenience while the cream cheese layer adds richness that distinguishes it from basic apple desserts.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- 2
Spray an 8x8 inch glass baking pan with non-stick spray.
- 3
Whip together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until well blended.
- 4
Unroll crescent rolls and cut into even halves.
- 5
Pinch together the seams of one half and place into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- 6
Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough.
- 7
Top with apple pie filling.
- 8
Place the second dough half on top and pour melted butter over it.
- 9
Sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar mixture.
- 10
Bake uncovered for 30 minutes until golden brown.
- 11
Cool until filling sets before cutting.
Tips
Ensure cream cheese is softened before whipping to avoid lumps and achieve smooth spreading consistency.
If using low-sugar pie filling, add extra sugar or brown sugar to the apples for proper sweetness.
Cool completely before cutting so the filling sets and pieces hold together cleanly.
Good to Know
Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.
Assemble completely and refrigerate unbaked up to 8 hours. Add 5 minutes to bake time if baking from cold.
Warm or room temperature, with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Common Mistakes
Underbake to avoid soggy, unset filling; ensure 30 minutes minimum.
Skip pinching seams to prevent cracks and uneven rising.
Overhandle dough to maintain flakiness in crescent rolls.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
fresher taste, requires added sugar
FAQ
Can I use fresh apples instead of canned filling?
Yes. Peel, dice, and cook 2-3 cups apples with cinnamon, sugar, and lemon juice for 10 minutes until soft. Let cool before layering. This requires added sugar since canned filling is pre-sweetened.
How long can I keep these squares?
Store covered at room temperature for 1 day or refrigerated for up to 3 days. They do not freeze well due to the cream cheese filling becoming grainy upon thawing.
What if I need to double the recipe?
Double all ingredients and bake in a 9x13 inch pan for the same 30 minutes. Watch for golden brown on top; thick pans may need an extra 5 minutes.