This sweet Crescent Christmas tree makes the best dessert for sharing! So easy to make, this pull-apart chocolate chip cheesecake dessert requires just 5 simple ingredients to make a beautiful and jolly tree! And it’s perfect for serving groups at Christmas parties.
Making pull-apart bread using canned Crescent rolls is a fun and easy way to make an appetizer or dessert. You probably have seen a savory version of this Crescent Christmas tree, but our version here is sweet!
Buttery crescents are stuffed with a creamy chocolate chip and caramel cheesecake filling, baked until it’s golden brown, and finished off with a simple sprinkling of powdered sugar. This dessert is served warm, and you will love the flaky crescents and the gooey and melty cream cheese chocolate caramel filling.
Crescent rolls are great for making easy appetizers and desserts! Use them to make Pigs in Blankets, Cranberry Brie Bites, an Easy Taco Ring, or try this delicious Sopapilla Cheesecake!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy – This dessert is incredibly easy to make! All you have to do is mix up the filling, roll the crescent rolls and shape them into a tree. Then bake and it’s ready to be served.
- Perfect for Sharing – Serve this crescent roll Christmas tree, and watch it disappear as your guests keep coming back for one (or more) bites!
- Customizable – I love the combination of cheesecake filling flavored with chocolate chips and caramel. Want something different? Try Nutella, cinnamon cream cheese, strawberry jam, or apple pie filling, the possibilities are endless!
Ingredients Needed
Here’s what you need to make this delicious dessert:
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls: You will need 2 refrigerated cans that are 8 ounces each.
- Cream cheese: One block of full-fat cream cheese that is softened to room temperature is what you need.
- Powdered sugar: Powdered sugar sweetens the cream cheese, and thickens it making a nice filling. Be sure not to overbeat it, as you will risk it becoming too thin.
- Chocolate Chips and Caramel: I used milk chocolate chips, and baking caramel that I chopped into smaller pieces for the filling.
How To Make Pull Apart Crescent Christmas Tree
Before you start, preheat the oven to 375°F/180°C, and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat silicone mat.
- Cut into Triangles: Open both cans of crescent rolls, separating the triangles and laying them on a flat surface. Using a pizza or pastry cutter, cut each triangle in half, cutting from the shortest side up to the smallest angle. This will create 32 total triangles.
- Make Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the cream cheese and powdered sugar, and salt until smooth. Do not overbeat the mixture as it can become runny. Fold in chocolate chips and caramel pieces.
- Add Filling and Roll: Add about 1 tablespoon of mixture to the thick end of each crescent triangle before rolling the dough towards the smallest point. This will create a crescent shape.
- Shape a Christmas Tree: Add each crescent to the baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree. Start with 1 crescent placed long ways at the very top and continue by an additional 1 down below until you have reached a bottom row of 8. Add 4 crescents in the middle of your tree, at the very bottom in a 2×2 formation to create the tree stump/tree trunk shape.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve immediately.
Tip!
This recipe is great for getting the kids involved! Depending on their age, they can help you cut the dough using a pizza or a pastry cutter, roll the triangles tightly, and/or transfer to a baking sheet to build the tree.
Storing Tips
Store the leftovers in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F/180°C for 10-15 minutes or until just warmed through.
You can also freeze this (after baking). Place in a Ziploc bag and freeze for 1-2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or on the counter for 2 hours before reheating and serving.
More Easy Christmas Recipes to Try
All Christmas Recipes →
FAQs
Yes, you can, but you will have to cut out the triangles by yourself. Also, keep in mind that the texture of puff pastry is a little different.
It is best served warm. You can make it ahead, just cover with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake and serve.
I recommend using full-fat cream cheese for the best results. Low-fat cream cheese will also work, but avoid using fat-free cream cheese.
Bake this super easy and beautiful Crescent Christmas Tree for your next holiday party! And be sure to pin this recipe, so you can easily find it later.
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Pull-Apart Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Christmas Tree
Ingredients
- 2 x 8-ounce cans Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls
- 8 ounce block cream cheese softened at room temperature
- ½ cup powdered sugar plus more for sprinkling
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup caramel baking chips chopped down
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F/180°C, and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat silicone mat.
- Open both cans of crescent rolls, separating the triangles and laying them on a flat surface. Using a pizza or pastry cutter, cut each triangle in half, cutting from the shortest side up to the smallest angle. This will create 32 total triangles.
- In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the cream cheese and powdered sugar, and salt until smooth. Do not overbeat the mixture as it can become runny.
- Fold in chocolate chips and caramel pieces.
- Add about 1 tablespoon of mixture to the thick end of each crescent triangle before rolling the dough towards the smallest point. This will create a crescent shape.
- Add each crescent to the baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree. Start with 1 crescent placed long ways at the very top and continue by an additional 1 down below until you have reached a bottom row of 8. Add 4 crescents in the middle of your tree, at the very bottom in a 2×2 formation to create the tree stump/tree trunk shape.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve immediately.
Notes:
- Mini caramel baking chips can be hard to find. So I chop down regular sized caramel bits into pieces similar size to the mini chocolate chips.
- For more of an ooey-gooey pull-apart experience, you can increase the crescent filling by 50%.
- This treat is best served immediately and warm but is also good at room temperature. Do not serve this dessert cold.
- Storing, Reheating, and Freezing: Store the leftovers in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F/180°C for 10-15 minutes or until just warmed through. You can also freeze this. Place in a Ziploc bag and freeze for 1-2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or on the counter for 2 hours before reheating and serving.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
Beard Joyce says
Took this dessert to a family Christmas party. Everyone wanted the recipe. Delicious!