Welcome to the recipe that will change your holiday baking game forever. These Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls deliver all the rich, nutty, and gooey satisfaction of a classic pecan pie, but in a fraction of the time. Using store-bought crescent roll dough makes this recipe incredibly simple, delivering a warm, flaky, and buttery pastry that’s simply irresistible. If you’re looking for a quick dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, you’ve found it.
This is the perfect treat for Thanksgiving morning, a Christmas dessert table, or any time you need a sweet bite without the fuss. Let’s bake some magic!
Why You’ll Love This Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls Recipe
Before we get to the details, let’s talk about why this recipe is a must-try. It’s more than just a simple dessert; it’s a game-changer for busy home cooks who still want to impress.
- Incredibly Easy: With just a handful of simple ingredients and refrigerated crescent dough, this recipe is practically foolproof.
- Super Fast: You can have these buttery, nutty rolls ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s the perfect last-minute dessert solution.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The combination of toasted pecans, buttery brown sugar filling, and flaky pastry is a guaranteed hit with everyone.
- Perfectly Portioned: Forget slicing a messy pie. These individual rolls are easy to serve and enjoy, making them ideal for parties and gatherings.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a few pantry staples to create these amazing Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls.
- Refrigerated Crescent Roll Dough: One 8-ounce can is all you need. This is our shortcut to a flaky, buttery pastry without any of the work.
- Pecans: Finely chopped pecans are the star. They provide that classic nutty flavor and a delightful crunch.
- Brown Sugar: We use packed light brown sugar for that deep, molasses-rich sweetness characteristic of pecan pie.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter binds the filling together, adds richness, and helps the rolls turn a beautiful golden brown.
- Light Corn Syrup: Just a tablespoon adds that authentic gooey texture to the filling, mimicking a real pecan pie.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of pure vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors.
- Cinnamon: This warm spice adds a touch of cozy flavor that pairs perfectly with the pecans and sugar.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Ready to see how easy it is? Just follow these simple steps to create the most delicious Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls.
- Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
- Make the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the chopped pecans, packed brown sugar, melted butter, light corn syrup, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Stir until everything is well-mixed and resembles a thick, nutty paste.
- Prepare the Dough: Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into the 8 pre-cut triangles. Place them flat on your prepared baking sheet.
- Fill and Roll: Spoon about a tablespoon of the pecan mixture onto the wide end of each crescent roll triangle. Gently spread it out, leaving a small border. Starting from the wide end, roll up each triangle into a crescent shape.
- Bake to Perfection: Arrange the rolls on the baking sheet, ensuring they have a little space between them. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until they are a deep golden brown and the filling is bubbly and caramelized.
- Cool and Serve: Let the rolls cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. They are delicious served warm!
Pro Tips for the Best Rolls
While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few expert tips can take your rolls from great to absolutely unforgettable.
- Don’t Overfill: It’s tempting to pack in the filling, but overfilling can cause it to leak out during baking. A heaping tablespoon per roll is the perfect amount.
- Toast the Pecans: For an even deeper, nuttier flavor, spread your chopped pecans on a baking sheet and toast them at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes before making the filling.
- Use Parchment Paper: This is a must! The brown sugar filling will caramelize and can become very sticky. Parchment paper ensures your rolls won’t stick to the pan.
- Optional Glaze: For a little extra sweetness and a bakery-style finish, whisk together a half cup of powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of milk and drizzle it over the cooled rolls.
Easy and Delicious Variations
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Chocolate Chip Pecan: Add a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips to the filling before rolling up the crescents.
- Salted Caramel: Drizzle the finished rolls with a quality salted caramel sauce for a truly decadent twist.
- Cream Cheese Filling: For a tangier, richer version, spread a thin layer of softened cream cheese on the dough before adding the pecan mixture. For another treat that perfectly balances sweet and savory, try these Jalapeño Popper Egg Rolls.
How to Store Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls
These rolls are best enjoyed the day they are made, preferably while still warm from the oven. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can reheat them in a 350°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore their warmth and crispness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can prepare the rolls without baking them and store them covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready, bake them straight from the fridge, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
While crescent roll dough gives a unique soft and buttery texture, you can substitute puff pastry for a flakier, crispier result. You will need to cut the pastry into triangles and may need to adjust the baking time according to the package directions.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer freshness, you can refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes to warm them up.
Absolutely. You can freeze the baked and cooled rolls in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or reheat directly from frozen in the oven until warmed through.
Finely chopped pecans work best as they create a more uniform filling that’s easy to spread and roll. You can buy them pre-chopped or chop whole pecans yourself in a food processor.
More Decadent Desserts to Explore
If you loved the rich and complex flavors in these rolls, you’ll be delighted by this Baklava Cheesecake recipe, which offers another nutty and sweet experience. For those who can’t get enough of rich, holiday-worthy treats, our Red Velvet Cheesecake Bundt Cake is a showstopper. And for a classic that never disappoints, check out this foolproof Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe.
Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls
Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls: The Easiest Holiday Treat
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine the chopped pecans, packed brown sugar, melted butter, light corn syrup, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Stir until well-mixed.
- Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into 8 triangles. Place them flat on your prepared baking sheet.
- Spoon about a tablespoon of the pecan mixture onto the wide end of each crescent roll triangle. Starting from the wide end, roll up each triangle.
- Arrange the rolls on the baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until deep golden brown.
- Let the rolls cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
A simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk can be drizzled over the top for extra sweetness.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
A Perfect Treat for Any Occasion
These Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls are more than just a recipe; they’re a solution for busy bakers who crave homemade flavor. They are the perfect addition to any holiday menu, brunch spread, or afternoon coffee break. We hope you love making them as much as we do. If you try this recipe, please leave a comment below and share your creations with us on Pinterest!
