There is something utterly delightful about these little fruity treasures, which is why the Cherry Pie Bites Recipe has become one of my all-time favorites for a quick and irresistible treat. These bite-sized wonders combine the sweet, tangy juiciness of cherry pie filling with the buttery flakiness of crescent roll dough, crowned with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar and a delicate powdered sugar dusting. They are the perfect balance of flavors and textures, making dessert time feel cozy, festive, and oh so satisfying in a flash.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering just a few simple ingredients, this recipe keeps things wonderfully straightforward without sacrificing flavor. Each element plays its part, whether it’s bringing sweetness, spice, or that golden, flaky texture we all crave.
- Cherry pie filling: Adds a luscious, fruity center bursting with juiciness and vibrant color.
- Crescent roll dough: The secret to easy, flaky pastry that’s buttery and golden when baked.
- Granulated sugar: Provides a sweet crunch once mixed with cinnamon and sprinkled on top.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses a warm, spicy note that perfectly complements the cherries.
- Powdered sugar: A light dusting for that final touch of elegance and extra sweetness.
How to Make Cherry Pie Bites Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures it’s hot and ready to give your pie bites that ideal golden finish as soon as they go in.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
Roll out the crescent roll dough from the package and carefully separate it into individual triangles. Taking care here lets you create neat little sections, perfect for wrapping around the cherry filling.
Step 3: Add the Filling
Gently spoon a generous dollop of cherry pie filling onto the wider end of each triangle. You want just enough so it bursts with flavor but doesn’t leak out during baking.
Step 4: Roll Up the Triangles
Starting at the wider end, roll each triangle toward the point, encasing the cherry filling snugly inside. This rolling step creates those classic crescent shapes that bake up crisp and flaky.
Step 5: Sprinkle the Cinnamon Sugar
Mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon together in a small bowl and sprinkle the blend generously over each rolled-up dough piece. This sugar-cinnamon topping will caramelize slightly in the oven, adding a beautiful crunch and aroma.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden Brown
Place your cherry pie bites on a baking sheet and bake them for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until they turn a perfect golden brown. Keep an eye on them; that golden color means they’re ready to come out for cooling and enjoying.
Step 7: Cool and Dust with Powdered Sugar
Once baked, let the pie bites cool just a bit to avoid burning your fingers, then dust them lightly with powdered sugar. This final flourish adds a touch of sophistication and sweetness that’s simply irresistible.
How to Serve Cherry Pie Bites Recipe
Garnishes
While a dusting of powdered sugar is already lovely, adding a sprig of fresh mint or a small dollop of whipped cream takes the presentation up a notch. These little touches brighten up each bite and add a contrasting texture that’s delightful.
Side Dishes
Cherry Pie Bites make a wonderful companion to a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of warm tea. The creamy richness of ice cream or the soothing warmth of tea balances out the sweet tartness, making your dessert moment feel complete and comforting.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or special occasion, arrange these bites in a circular pattern on a pretty platter and add colorful fresh cherries or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. You can even stack them in a tiered dessert tray for a charming display that invites everyone to dig in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers (though they rarely last long!), place them in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to two days. Just be sure to keep them away from moisture to maintain crispiness.
Freezing
You can freeze these cherry pie bites before baking by rolling and assembling them, then wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap or placing them in a freezer bag. When ready to bake, just bake them a few extra minutes straight from the freezer for a fresh, warm dessert.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the pie bites into a 350°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes. This helps restore their flaky texture and warms the cherry filling perfectly, bringing back that just-baked magic with every bite.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned cherry pie filling?
Fresh cherries can be used but will require some additional preparation like pitting and cooking them down with sugar and a thickener to mimic the pie filling texture. Using canned cherry pie filling is quick and ensures consistent sweetness and flavor.
Can I make these pie bites gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the crescent roll dough with a gluten-free pastry dough of your choice. Just keep in mind that baking times and textures might vary slightly depending on the dough used.
Is there a way to make these bites less sweet?
You can reduce the sugar sprinkled on top or try using a cherry pie filling with less added sugar. Pairing the bites with unsweetened whipped cream or a mild cheese can also balance the sweetness nicely.
How large should the spoonfuls of cherry pie filling be?
A heaping teaspoon of filling per dough triangle usually works perfectly, giving enough fruit flavor without making the bites soggy or messy during rolling and baking.
Can I substitute crescent roll dough for puff pastry?
Puff pastry is a great alternative if you want an even flakier, more delicate crust. Just remember to adjust baking times since puff pastry may bake faster or brown differently than crescent dough.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a fun, approachable recipe that delivers big on flavor with minimal effort, this Cherry Pie Bites Recipe is an absolute winner. It’s perfect for sharing with friends or sneaking a sweet treat anytime you want a bit of homemade goodness without the fuss. Give it a try—you’ll wonder why you didn’t make these sooner!
Print
Cherry Pie Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightful cherry pie bites featuring crescent roll dough wrapped around sweet cherry pie filling, dusted with a cinnamon sugar blend and a light sprinkle of powdered sugar. Perfect as a quick dessert or snack, baked to golden perfection in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 can of cherry pie filling (approximately 21 oz)
Dough
- 1 package of crescent roll dough (usually 8 oz)
Toppings
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Powdered sugar for dusting (about 2 tablespoons)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare it for baking the cherry pie bites.
- Prepare Dough: Roll out the crescent roll dough on a clean surface and separate it into individual triangles as per package instructions.
- Add Filling: Spoon a generous amount of cherry pie filling onto the wider end of each crescent roll triangle, ensuring not to overfill to prevent leakage during baking.
- Roll Up: Starting from the wider end where the filling is placed, carefully roll each triangle towards the pointed end, sealing the edges slightly to keep filling enclosed.
- Season: In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the rolled-up dough pieces to add sweetness and a hint of spice.
- Bake: Place the prepared cherry pie bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a non-stick surface. Bake them in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until they turn golden brown and puffed.
- Cool and Dust: Remove from oven and let the cherry pie bites cool for a few minutes. Once slightly cooled, dust them with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness and presentation.
Notes
- Make sure not to overfill the crescent dough triangles to avoid filling oozing out during baking.
- For a crispier crust, brush the dough lightly with melted butter before sprinkling the cinnamon sugar.
- If cherry pie filling is unavailable, canned pie fillings of other flavors such as blueberry or apple can be substituted.
- Serve warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container; best eaten within 1-2 days.
