Introduction:
together quickly and disappear even faster. Christmas Cherry Cream Cheese Bites are exactly that kind of dessert:
creamy, sweet, and festive in one neat little bite. Think buttery base, a smooth cream cheese layer, and a bright cherry topping that
brings instant Christmas color to your dessert tray. They’re pretty enough for a party platter, easy enough for a busy weeknight,
and popular enough that someone will ask you for the recipe before the plate is empty.
The charm of these bites is their balance. Cream cheese gives you richness and tang, cherries add fruity sweetness and shine, and the
base holds everything together so you can grab and go—no plates, no forks, no fuss. They’re also wonderfully flexible: you can make
them with crescent dough, puff pastry, mini phyllo shells, cookie cups, or even a simple graham crust. You can go classic with sweet
cherry pie filling, or upgrade with homemade cherry topping for a brighter flavor. And because they’re small, they fit perfectly into
a holiday spread alongside cookies, fudge, and peppermint treats without feeling too heavy.
Another reason these bites win at Christmas is timing. You can prep parts ahead, assemble quickly, and store them in the fridge so they’re
ready when guests arrive. They’re great for cookie exchanges, classroom parties, office potlucks, and family gatherings—anywhere you need
something festive that travels well and serves a crowd. In this article, you’ll get a reliable version that’s easy to slice, portion,
and decorate, plus tips to keep them crisp and creamy, not soggy or messy.
If you want a dessert that feels cheerful, tastes nostalgic, and takes minimal effort, these Christmas Cherry Cream Cheese Bites are the
kind of recipe you’ll return to every December. Let’s make a batch that’s as cute as it is delicious.
Ingredients:
Base (Choose One)
- Option A (Crescent Dough): 2 cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
- Option B (Puff Pastry): 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- Option C (Mini Phyllo Shells): 30–40 store-bought mini phyllo shells
Cream Cheese Layer
- 450 g (16 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 100–130 g (1/2–2/3 cup) granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 egg (optional if baking a cheesecake-style layer)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional, brightens the flavor)
Cherry Topping
- 1–2 cans cherry pie filling (depending on how generous you want the topping)
- Optional upgrade: 1/2 tsp almond extract (stir into pie filling for bakery flavor)
Festive Garnishes (Optional)
- Powdered sugar “snow”
- White chocolate drizzle
- Crushed pistachios (red + green holiday look)
- Mini chocolate chips
- Sprinkles (holiday mix)
