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A post shared by Tracy Tindell – Easy Recipes | Lifestyle (@thelastresortlakehouse)

Christmas Crescent Roll Dessert: Buttery, Jammy, and Ridiculously Easy to Love

Let me paint the picture: it’s Christmas Eve, your in-laws are on their way, your kids are somewhere covered in glitter and frosting, and your kitchen looks like the North Pole exploded.

And yet—you are calm. Cool. Collected.

Because you’ve got a secret weapon.

This Christmas Crescent Roll Dessert.

It’s everything the holidays are supposed to be: comforting, decadent, low-effort, and beautiful enough to serve on your fanciest platter (or straight out of the baking dish while wearing your “I survived the holiday chaos” robe).

It’s sweet. It’s creamy. It’s wrapped in golden, flaky crescent dough.

And baby, it’s about to steal the show.

The Vibe: Fancy Without the Fuss

This is not your grandma’s fruitcake. It’s not your neighbor’s dry cookies. It’s not that pie you overbaked by 20 minutes last year and pretended was “extra rustic.”

This dessert? She’s got main-character energy.

She’s sweet in the middle, golden on the outside, and served warm with powdered sugar snow falling like a Hallmark movie backdrop.

Better yet?

You only need a handful of ingredients, and you probably already have most of them in your fridge.

What You’ll Need (A Grocery List That Doesn’t Judge)

2 cans of crescent roll dough – The kind that pops and scares you a little. That’s how you know it’s working. 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened – She’s the silky, tangy hero of this tale. ½ cup granulated sugar – Just enough to keep things sweet, not cloying. 1 tsp vanilla extract – For depth. For warmth. For the cozy factor. ½ cup jam – Raspberry, strawberry, or whatever flavor you love most. I like raspberry for the tartness and Christmas color. 1 egg, lightly beaten – For that golden, bakery-shop top. Powdered sugar, for snow-day vibes Optional: cinnamon sugar or a touch of lemon zest, if you’re feeling fancy.

Step-by-Step: Like Wrapping a Present… That You Eat

1. Prep & preheat

Set your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment or lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.

Unroll one can of crescent roll dough and press it gently into your dish, pinching the seams to form one smooth, love-filled crust.

2. Whip the filling

In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth and velvety. This is your edible love letter. Taste it. Try not to eat all of it with a spoon. (Or do. No judgment.)

3. Spread the joy

Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the crescent base, spreading evenly. Then dot spoonfuls of jam over the top and use a butter knife to swirl gently. Not too much—we want marbling, not chaos.

4. Top & seal

Unroll the second crescent dough can and gently lay it over the filling. Pinch the edges to seal like a cozy dough blanket. Brush with the beaten egg for shine and that golden glow.

Feeling wild? Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. You’re already winning, might as well strut.

5. Bake to perfection

Bake for 22–25 minutes until puffed, golden, and bubbling at the edges like it knows how good it looks.

6. Cool, dust, devour

Let it cool for at least 10 minutes—this is the hardest part—then dust with powdered sugar like the snowfall ending to your own holiday rom-com.

Cut into bars, squares, triangles, or just grab a fork and go to town. It’s Christmas. You make the rules.

Let’s Talk Texture (Because It’s a Whole Moment)

This dessert is a total texture queen:

The crescent roll crust is buttery and golden, with just enough crunch to keep things interesting. The cream cheese filling is smooth, rich, and perfectly balanced with sweetness. The jam swirl adds a little tartness, a little stickiness, and a whole lot of festive flair.

Each bite is soft, flaky, sweet, and slightly tangy. It’s like your favorite pastry and a cheesecake had a holiday fling and made a baby.

Why You’re Gonna Want This on Repeat

Let’s get one thing straight: this is not a “once-a-year” dessert.

This is a:

“My in-laws are in town and I need a win” dessert “I forgot it was the office potluck but I’m still showing up like a star” dessert “It’s Thursday and I want something sweet with my coffee” dessert

It’s easy to make, impossible to mess up, and always looks like you tried harder than you did. Honestly? That’s the kind of energy I want to bring into the new year.

Make It Yours: Flavor Swaps & Add-Ins

This recipe is endlessly adaptable—like leggings or your favorite playlist.

Try a different jam:

Apricot for a Southern twist Blueberry for brunch vibes Cherry for ultra Christmas energy

Add a crunch:

Chopped pecans, slivered almonds, or crushed pistachios sprinkled over the top before baking

Spice it up:

A dash of cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg mixed into the cream cheese filling

Go citrusy:

Add a little lemon or orange zest to the filling for brightness

And if you really want to be extra?

Drizzle with white chocolate. Or dark. Or both. The dessert world is your oyster, babe.

How to Serve (Other Than Straight from the Pan With a Fork)

Presentation optional, powdered sugar mandatory.

If you’re feeling fancy:

Serve with fresh berries and a mint sprig Add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream Set it on a cake stand and pretend you spent hours baking it

Bonus points if you serve it warm with hot coffee, mulled wine, or a spiked peppermint mocha.

Storage Tips for Smart Cookies

Let’s be honest, you might not have leftovers. But if you do:

Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days Reheat slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to bring back the gooey magic Freeze leftovers individually (just wrap tightly and thaw overnight in the fridge)

You’ll thank yourself when future-you finds a slice and remembers how fabulous past-you was.

Dessert That Starts Traditions

This isn’t just a treat—it’s a memory in the making.

The kind of dessert your kids will ask for every December.

The one you’ll start making in July because you “just couldn’t wait.”

The one your partner steals bites of while pretending they “don’t even like sweets.”

It’s easy. It’s charming. It’s filled with nostalgia and joy and just the right amount of messiness.

Basically, it’s Christmas—wrapped in crescent dough.

Final Thoughts from the Girl Covered in Powdered Sugar

You know what the holidays don’t need? Stress.

You know what they do need? Butter, jam, cream cheese, and love.

This Christmas Crescent Roll Dessert checks every box.

She’s quick. She’s classy. She’s creamy and flaky and ready to party.

Whether you’re bringing it to brunch, serving it after dinner, or just eating it in the glow of your Christmas lights with your feet up and a fuzzy blanket—she will not let you down.

So pop that can, swirl that jam, and bake your way to holiday glory.

Ready to make it? Grab the recipe here.

And tag me [@thelastresortlakehouse] when you do—I want to see how you dress her up.

Now go make something sweet and celebrate like you mean it.

Because you deserve a little Christmas magic too.