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Whenever I want a simple homemade-style sweet, these cherry pie bites hit the spot. They come together fast and fill the kitchen with a cozy, happy scent that feels like a tiny celebration.
One evening after a long day, I whipped these up and they quickly became a go-to for relaxed family nights and hangouts.
What You Need
- Two 8 ounce crescent roll dough tubes: fresh chilled dough works best for an easy-to-handle, flaky buttery crust
- One cup powdered sugar: sifted fine for a smooth sweet glaze with no lumps
- One 21 ounce can cherry pie filling: pick a brand with whole cherries and thick syrup for a great texture
- One to two tablespoons milk: use whole or any milk you like to get the glaze just right and creamy
How To Make Them
- Set Oven Temperature
- Heat your oven to 375°F (or 190°C). Lightly oil or spray a muffin pan so the dough slides out easily after baking.
- Shape the Dough
- Unroll the crescent dough and separate each piece. Press each piece into the muffin cups with the wider edge down, making little nests without poking holes.
- Fill the Cups
- Scoop 3 to 4 big spoonfuls of cherry filling into each dough nest. Don’t worry if it spills over a bit — it bubbles up and caramelizes for a sticky sweet top.
- Fold the Edges
- Bring dough corners toward the middle to cover the filling partly but leave some cherry showing. This helps the top get that beautiful caramelized finish.
- Bake Them
- Pop the pan in the oven for 13 to 14 minutes until the dough is golden and puffy. Keep an eye near the end so nothing gets too brown.
- Make the Glaze
- While they bake, stir powdered sugar and milk in a small bowl till smooth. Add just enough milk to get a drizzle-able but thick glaze.
- Glaze and Serve
- After baking, let the bites cool for around five minutes. Spoon the glaze over the warm treats letting it drip and melt into the cherry filling. Best served warm so everything melts together.
The best part is that crispy golden dough paired with the sweet and tangy cherry filling that bursts with every bite. Brings back memories of last-minute weekend hangouts with neighbors where these were a fav snack.
Keeping Tips
If you have leftovers, keep them sealed at room temp and eat within a day. For longer storage, cover and refrigerate for up to three days. Warm them gently in a toaster oven before eating.
Swap Ideas
Switch out cherry filling for peach or blueberry if you want a fresh twist. Try biscuit dough in place of crescent rolls for a heartier crust. To go vegan, pick plant milk in the glaze and dairy-free crescent dough.
Serving Tips
Pair with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence. These bites also go great with tea or coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Take your time mixing the glaze so it’s nice and shiny. That smooth look makes these bites so much more tempting.
Frequently Asked Cooking Questions
- → What dough is best for making cherry bites?
Crescent roll dough bakes flaky and golden which pairs great with the cherry filling.
- → Is fresh cherry okay instead of canned filling?
You can use fresh cherries but you’ll need to cook them with sugar to get a thick, pie-like filling.
- → How can I stop the dough from getting soggy?
Put the dough straight into a greased muffin pan and bake until it’s golden brown so it stays crisp around the filling.
- → How do I get the glaze nice and smooth?
Mix powdered sugar and milk slowly until you get a lump-free glaze good for drizzling.
- → Can I prep these bites ahead?
Yes, put them together and chill them, then bake fresh when you’re ready to eat for best texture and taste.