Welcome to the ultimate shortcut to holiday dessert heaven. These Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls deliver all the warm, gooey, nutty flavor of a classic pecan pie, but without any of the fuss. Using store-bought crescent roll dough, this recipe transforms a few simple ingredients into an irresistibly flaky and delicious treat in under 30 minutes. It’s the perfect easy pecan dessert for busy bakers who refuse to compromise on taste. Whether you need a quick addition to your Thanksgiving spread or a cozy weekend treat, this recipe is your golden ticket.
We’re taking the beloved flavors of brown sugar, butter, and toasted pecans and wrapping them in the tender, buttery layers of crescent roll dough. The result is a handheld delight that’s part pastry, part pie, and entirely addictive. This is one of those crescent roll recipes you’ll make again and again.
Why You’ll Love These Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls
If you need convincing, here’s why this recipe will become an instant favorite in your household.
- Incredibly Easy: This is a true beginner-friendly recipe. If you can open a can of crescent rolls and mix a few ingredients in a bowl, you can make these.
- Super Fast: From start to finish, you’re looking at less than 30 minutes. It’s the perfect solution for last-minute dessert cravings or unexpected guests.
- Classic Flavors: You get all the rich, caramelized notes of a traditional pecan pie filling without the long baking time or complexity of making a pie crust from scratch.
- Perfectly Portioned: Individual rolls make serving a breeze. They’re great for parties, potlucks, or adding to a holiday dessert board. No slicing required!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a handful of pantry staples to create these incredible pecan crescents.
- Refrigerated Crescent Roll Dough: One 8-ounce can is all you need. Any brand will work perfectly.
- Chopped Pecans: For the best flavor, toast the pecans lightly before chopping. This brings out their natural nutty oils.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter binds the filling together, creating that signature gooey texture.
- Ground Cinnamon: A touch of warm spice perfectly complements the pecans and brown sugar.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash enhances all the other flavors in the filling.
- Powdered Sugar & Milk: For a simple, sweet glaze to drizzle on top.
* Light Brown Sugar: This provides the deep, molasses-like sweetness that is essential for a pecan pie flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create the most delicious Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls. It’s almost too easy!
1. Prepare the Pecan Filling
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine the chopped pecans, packed brown sugar, melted butter, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Mix everything together until the pecans are evenly coated and the mixture resembles a thick, syrupy paste. Set this aside while you prepare the dough.
2. Assemble the Crescent Rolls
Carefully unroll the crescent dough and separate it into the 8 pre-cut triangles. Place them on your prepared baking sheet. Spoon about a tablespoon of the pecan pie filling onto the wide end of each triangle, spreading it out slightly. Be careful not to overfill, as the filling can bubble out during baking. Starting from the wide end, roll each triangle up into a crescent shape.
3. Bake to Golden Perfection
Arrange the rolled crescents on the baking sheet, ensuring they have some space between them. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until they are a deep golden brown and the filling is bubbly. While the rolls are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar and a tablespoon of milk in a small bowl to create a simple glaze. Add more milk, a half teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired drizzle consistency.
Once the crescent rolls are out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes before drizzling the glaze over the top. Serve them warm for the best experience!
Expert Tips for the Best Results
Want to make your Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls taste like they came from a professional bakery? Follow these simple tips.
- Toast Your Pecans: Spreading your pecans on a baking sheet and toasting them for 5-7 minutes at 350°F before chopping them makes a world of difference. It deepens their flavor significantly.
- Don’t Overfill: It’s tempting to pack in the filling, but too much can lead to a soggy bottom and a messy overflow. A single, even layer is all you need.
- Use Parchment Paper: This is non-negotiable! It prevents the rolls from sticking and makes cleanup incredibly easy, especially with the sugary filling.
- Serve Warm: These treats are at their absolute best when served warm from the oven, while the filling is gooey and the pastry is flaky. For a similar easy and delicious baked good, try this fantastic banana bread.
Fun Recipe Variations
While the classic recipe is a clear winner, there are many ways to customize these crescent rolls. For a different but equally simple pastry, check out these chocolate crescent rolls.
- Add Cream Cheese: For a tangy twist, spread a thin layer of softened cream cheese on the dough before adding the pecan filling.
- Chocolate Chip Pecan: Sprinkle a few mini chocolate chips over the pecan filling before rolling up the dough for a decadent chocolate-pecan version.
- Maple Glaze: Swap the milk in the glaze for pure maple syrup to add a delicious, autumnal maple-pecan flavor.
- Different Nuts: No pecans? Finely chopped walnuts or even almonds would work as a great substitute in this recipe.
How to Store and Make Ahead
These Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls are so good, you might not have leftovers! But if you do, here’s how to keep them fresh. For other make-ahead friendly desserts, these no-bake buckeye bars are a must-try.
Storing Leftovers
Store cooled crescent rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply pop them in a 350°F oven or an air fryer for 3-5 minutes to warm them through and re-crisp the pastry.
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can easily prepare elements of this recipe in advance. The pecan filling can be made up to 3 days ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also fully assemble the crescent rolls, place them on the baking sheet, cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before you plan to bake them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can prepare the pecan filling up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also assemble the rolls, cover them tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Absolutely. While pecans are classic, finely chopped walnuts or almonds would also be delicious substitutes in this recipe. Just be sure to chop them to a similar size for the best texture.
Store any leftover crescent rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can reheat them in an oven or air fryer for a few minutes to restore their crispiness.
The key is to not overfill the crescent rolls. Use just enough filling to create a single, even layer. Baking on parchment paper is also essential as it helps ensure a crispy, golden-brown bottom.
More Delicious Desserts to Try
If you loved how simple and delicious these rolls were, you’ll be a fan of our other easy dessert recipes. This Apple Crisp Bread is another fall favorite that’s perfect for sharing. And for a classic that never disappoints, our Peppermint Cookie Recipe is perfect for the holidays.
Enjoy Your Sweet Treat!
There you have it—a perfectly simple recipe for Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls that’s guaranteed to impress. They are the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and classic flavor. We hope you love making and sharing them as much as we do. If you try this recipe, we’d love to see your creations! Share them on Pinterest and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls
Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls: The Easiest Holiday Treat!
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine the chopped pecans, packed brown sugar, melted butter, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into 8 triangles. Spoon about a tablespoon of the pecan filling onto the wide end of each triangle. Roll up each triangle, starting from the wide end.
- Place the rolls on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While the rolls bake, whisk together the powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk. Add more milk as needed to reach a drizzling consistency. Let the rolls cool for a few minutes, then drizzle with the glaze and serve warm.
Notes
Do not overfill the crescent rolls to prevent the filling from leaking and creating a soggy bottom.
These are best served warm, fresh from the oven!
