Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls

The buttery aroma of Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls wafting through your kitchen is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. These delectable treats combine the flaky texture of crescent rolls with the rich, gooey goodness of traditional pecan pie filling, creating a dessert that’s both familiar and excitingly new. Perfect for holiday gatherings or weekend treats, Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls offer all the beloved flavors of pecan pie in an easy-to-make, handheld format. You’ll learn how to transform simple ingredients into an impressive dessert that tastes like it took hours to make, when in reality, it’s surprisingly quick and simple.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls are about to become your new favorite dessert for several compelling reasons. First, they deliver the complex flavors of traditional pecan pie without the fuss of making pie crust from scratch. The store-bought crescent roll dough provides a perfectly flaky exterior that contrasts beautifully with the sticky, sweet pecan filling inside.

The textural experience is truly magnificent—crisp, buttery pastry gives way to a soft, caramelized pecan mixture that’s punctuated by the gentle crunch of the nuts. Each bite offers that perfect balance of textures that make desserts truly memorable.

What’s more, these pecan pie crescents come together in a fraction of the time of traditional pecan pie. You can have them ready for the oven in under 15 minutes, making them perfect for last-minute entertaining or satisfying sudden sweet cravings. The simplicity of preparation doesn’t compromise the wow-factor when you serve them, especially when they’re still slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting alongside.

Ingredients

For the Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls, you’ll need simple ingredients that combine to create extraordinary flavor:

• 2 cans (8 oz/226g each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 1 cup (120g) chopped pecans
• ½ cup (100g) packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the glaze (optional):
• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) milk or cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

The pecans should be finely chopped but not ground to a powder—you want those little bits of nutty texture in each bite. Quality maple syrup makes a noticeable difference in the filling, adding depth to the sweetness. The brown sugar provides that classic pecan pie flavor with its molasses notes, while the cinnamon adds a warm spice that elevates the entire dessert.

Pro Tips

Tip 1: Perfect Pecan Preparation
For the best texture and flavor in your Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls, toast the pecans before adding them to the filling mixture. Spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes until fragrant. This simple step intensifies their nutty flavor and ensures they maintain some crunch even after baking in the sweet filling. Allow them to cool completely before chopping and mixing with the other filling ingredients.

Tip 2: Filling Control
When adding the pecan filling to the crescent dough triangles, leave a ½-inch border around the edges. This prevents the sticky filling from leaking out during baking and creates a better seal when you roll them up. Use a measuring spoon (about 1 tablespoon per roll) to ensure even distribution of filling, giving each roll the perfect amount of pecan goodness.

Tip 3: Chilling for Success
After rolling up your Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls, place them on the baking sheet and refrigerate for 10 minutes before baking. This quick chill helps the dough firm up, which means it will puff and layer better during baking, creating that ideal flaky texture. It also helps prevent the filling from leaking out too quickly when they hit the hot oven.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup much easier, especially if any filling bubbles over during baking. Clear sufficient counter space to work with the crescent roll dough.

Step 2: Create the Pecan Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the chopped pecans, brown sugar, melted butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated and the pecans are evenly coated with the sweet mixture. The consistency should be thick but slightly runny—perfect for spreading onto the dough without immediately soaking through.

Step 3: Prepare the Crescent Dough
Unroll the crescent roll dough onto your clean work surface and separate along the perforations to create triangles. If using seamless dough sheets, cut into triangles similar to regular crescent roll shapes. Gently stretch each triangle slightly to create more surface area for the filling.

Step 4: Fill and Roll
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the pecan mixture onto the wide end of each crescent triangle, leaving that ½-inch border we mentioned. Starting from the wide end, roll each triangle toward the pointed end, ensuring the filling stays tucked inside. Place each rolled Pecan Pie Crescent Roll on the prepared baking sheet, making sure the pointed end is tucked underneath to prevent unraveling during baking. Space them about 2 inches apart.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake your Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes, or until they’re beautifully golden brown. Keep a close eye on them after the 10-minute mark, as the sugar in the filling can caramelize quickly. You’re looking for a rich golden color on the rolls with some of the filling bubbling slightly at the edges.

Step 6: Glaze (Optional)
While the rolls are cooling, prepare the glaze if desired. Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla until smooth. The consistency should be thick but pourable—adjust with more liquid or sugar as needed. Drizzle the glaze over the slightly cooled rolls for an extra touch of sweetness that complements the nutty filling perfectly.

Variations

Chocolate Pecan Pie Crescents
For chocolate lovers, add ¼ cup mini chocolate chips to the pecan filling mixture. The chocolate melts during baking, creating pockets of rich, molten goodness that pair wonderfully with the nuts. You could also drizzle melted chocolate over the finished Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls instead of the traditional glaze for a more decadent treat.

Bourbon Pecan Pie Rolls
For an adult version of these Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls, replace the vanilla extract with 1 tablespoon of good quality bourbon in the filling mixture. The bourbon adds complexity and a subtle warmth that elevates these treats to dinner-party status. You can also add a teaspoon of bourbon to the glaze for a cohesive flavor profile.

Maple Bacon Pecan Rolls
For a sweet-savory twist, add 3 tablespoons of finely chopped crispy bacon to the pecan filling. The salty, smoky notes of the bacon contrast beautifully with the sweet maple and pecans, creating a truly addictive flavor combination. Finish with a maple glaze (using maple syrup instead of vanilla in the glaze recipe) for the ultimate indulgence.

Storage and Serving

Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls are best enjoyed warm from the oven, when the filling is still slightly gooey and the pastry perfectly crisp. However, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To refresh them, warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes before serving.

For longer storage, place completely cooled rolls in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature and then warm in the oven before serving.

Serve these delightful treats with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert that’s sure to impress. The cold ice cream against the warm roll creates a wonderful temperature contrast. For breakfast or brunch, pair them with fresh fruit and a hot cup of coffee. They also make an excellent addition to a holiday dessert table, especially during fall gatherings or Thanksgiving when pecan pie flavors are particularly welcome.

FAQs

Can I make these Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare them up to the rolling stage, place them on a baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add 1-2 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.

My filling leaked out during baking. What went wrong?
This typically happens if the rolls aren’t sealed well or if too much filling was used. Make sure to leave that ½-inch border, don’t overfill, and ensure the pointed end is tucked underneath when placing on the baking sheet.

Can I use homemade crescent dough instead of store-bought?
Absolutely! Homemade dough works beautifully in this recipe. Just roll it to about the same thickness as store-bought crescent dough and cut into similar-sized triangles.

Are there any nut-free alternatives for this recipe?
While the pecans are central to the “pecan pie” flavor, you could create a similar texture with a mixture of oats, sunflower seeds, and a bit more brown sugar and butter to bind them.

How do I know when the Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls are done baking?
They should be golden brown on the outside with a slightly firm texture when gently pressed. If you notice the rolls browning too quickly but still seeming doughy, lower the oven temperature by 25 degrees and continue baking with a piece of foil loosely tented over top.

Conclusion

These Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls are comfort food at its finest — warm, buttery parcels of nostalgia that capture all the flavors of a traditional pecan pie in a convenient, hand-held format. They’re the kind of dish that bridges the gap between special-occasion desserts and everyday treats, perfect for holiday gatherings yet simple enough for a random Tuesday when you deserve something special. The contrast between flaky pastry and sticky-sweet filling creates an irresistible texture that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Whether you serve them as a showstopping brunch item or the perfect ending to a cozy dinner, these rolls prove that sometimes the most impressive recipes are also the most approachable.

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