Pumpkin & Cream Cheese Crescent Pumpkins That Will Bring Joy to Your Fall Celebrations

These Pumpkin & Cream Cheese Crescent Pumpkins are the ultimate autumn dessert, perfect for Halloween parties, Thanksgiving feasts, or a cozy fall afternoon. Combining the smoothness of cream cheese with the sweet, spiced pumpkin filling, each bite is a delightful taste of the season. Shaped into adorable little pumpkins, these treats are both visually appealing and irresistibly delicious. The crescent dough offers a soft, buttery exterior, while the filling inside brings together the tangy flavor of cream cheese with the warmth of pumpkin spices.

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These charming pumpkin-shaped treats are not only festive but also incredibly easy to make. The use of refrigerated crescent roll dough simplifies the process, making this recipe accessible to even the most novice bakers. Plus, the kitchen twine technique ensures that each ball of dough bakes into a perfect pumpkin shape. The addition of a pretzel stick as a stem adds the final touch, making these crescent pumpkins a showstopper at any fall gathering. The best part? They taste as good as they look!

The Secret to Perfect Pumpkin & Cream Cheese Crescent Pumpkins

The key to making these pumpkin crescents delicious is ensuring that you drain the pumpkin puree well before mixing it with the other ingredients. Excess moisture in the puree can lead to soggy dough, so it's important to press the pumpkin between layers of paper towel to remove as much liquid as possible. Additionally, be sure to wrap the dough loosely with twine so that the dough has room to expand as it bakes. This will help create the pumpkin shape without causing the dough to tear.

Once the pumpkins have baked, cutting and removing the twine will reveal the charming pumpkin shape. And don’t forget to brush the tops with melted butter before baking for that perfectly golden finish. These pumpkins are just as fun to make as they are to eat!

Pumpkin Desserts: A Staple of Fall Feasts

Pumpkin has been a symbol of autumn for centuries, and its use in desserts has a long history. From the classic pumpkin pie served at Thanksgiving dinners to the wide array of pumpkin-flavored treats that have become popular in recent years, this humble squash is synonymous with fall. The combination of pumpkin and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger evokes the cozy feelings of the season. Adding cream cheese to pumpkin-based desserts brings a creamy, tangy contrast that elevates the overall flavor, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and richness.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Based on 8 Servings):

• Calories: 230 kcal
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Sugar: 9g
• Sodium: 300mg

Cooking Tips

When working with the crescent dough, make sure to gently stretch the squares before filling them to create enough room for the fillings. Also, don’t overfill the dough, as this could cause the pumpkins to burst open during baking. Seal the edges tightly to keep the cream cheese and pumpkin pie fillings securely inside the dough.

For extra flavor, consider brushing the tops of the dough with melted butter mixed with a pinch of cinnamon sugar. This will give the pumpkins a little extra sweetness and a beautiful golden-brown color. If you want to experiment with different flavors, you can add a pinch of extra nutmeg or ginger to the pumpkin filling to intensify the autumn spices.

Storage and Reheating Tips

To store, place any leftover crescent pumpkins in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to three days. These treats are best enjoyed warm, so when you're ready to eat them again, simply reheat them in the oven at 300°F for about 5-7 minutes to restore their crispy exterior and creamy center.

If you’d like to freeze the crescent pumpkins, first allow them to cool completely. Wrap each pumpkin individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. To reheat, bake the frozen pumpkins in a 325°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they are heated through and golden once again.

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Pumpkin & Cream Cheese Crescent Pumpkins

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. refrigerated crescent rolls

Cream Cheese Filling:

• 5 oz. softened cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pumpkin Pie Filling:

• ¾ cup pumpkin puree (drained)
• 1 tablespoon corn starch
• 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon allspice
• 1 egg yolk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For Brushing:

• 2 ½ tablespoons melted butter

Instructions:

1. Drain the pumpkin puree by placing it on several layers of paper towel and gently pressing it with more paper towels on top to remove excess moisture.
2. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, egg yolk, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, corn starch, ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and set aside.
5. Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into four rectangles. Seal the perforations to create smooth rectangles, then cut each rectangle in half to make eight squares.
6. Take one square of dough and gently stretch it. Place one tablespoon of cream cheese filling in the center, followed by one tablespoon of pumpkin pie filling.
7. Gather the corners of the dough and pinch them together to seal. Roll the dough gently into a ball with the seam side down.
8. Place each dough ball seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Wrap a piece of kitchen twine around each ball, dividing it into eight sections to create the pumpkin shape.
9. Brush the dough balls with melted butter and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown.
10. Once baked, let the pumpkins cool slightly before cutting the twine with scissors and gently removing it. Insert a pretzel stick into the top of each pumpkin to resemble a stem.

These Pumpkin & Cream Cheese Crescent Pumpkins are perfect for adding a festive, flavorful touch to your fall dessert table. Enjoy the rich, creamy filling and buttery exterior, and share the joy of autumn with every bite!