Last weekend, my kitchen smelled like fall had moved right in. You know that cozy, spiced scent that makes you want to wrap yourself in a blanket and sip something warm? That was my house, and it all started with a little experiment I couldn’t resist. My youngest had been talking about “pumpkin-shaped snacks” they saw on a school baking video, and I figured, “Why not surprise them?” I rummaged through my fridge and found a tube of crescent roll dough just waiting for its moment.

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It’s not every day you can turn store-bought dough into something that looks bakery-fancy but still feels like a warm hug. As I started mixing the cream cheese with pumpkin puree and those magical pumpkin pie spices, the whole vibe turned festive. My husband wandered in “just to check” if I needed help, but we all know he was hoping for a taste test.

Rolling those little triangles into plump pumpkin shapes was oddly satisfying like arts and crafts but edible. The egg yolk wash gave them a golden glow that made them look almost too pretty to eat… almost. By the time they came out of the oven, the kids were hovering with plates in hand. We didn’t even wait for them to cool all the way.

It’s moments like these that make cooking feel less like a chore and more like a little family tradition in the making. And honestly, these Crescent Pumpkins have now earned a permanent spot in my fall recipe rotation.

Short Description

Soft, golden crescent rolls shaped like pumpkins, filled with a creamy pumpkin pie mixture—perfect for a festive breakfast, dessert, or cozy afternoon treat.

Key Ingredients

1 tube crescent roll dough
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg yolk (for egg wash)

Tools Needed

Mixing bowl
Hand mixer or whisk
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Pastry brush

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough
Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into individual triangles. If the dough feels sticky, sprinkle a bit of flour on your work surface to make rolling easier.

Step 3: Make the Filling
In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, pumpkin puree, powdered sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract until the mixture is completely smooth. Scrape down the sides to make sure nothing gets left unmixed.

Step 4: Fill the Crescent Rolls
Place a spoonful of pumpkin filling at the wide end of each triangle. Don’t overfill, too much and the filling will leak out during baking.

Step 5: Roll and Shape
Starting from the wide end, gently roll the dough toward the narrow tip. Once rolled, curve the sides slightly to form a round pumpkin shape.

Step 6: Add Egg Wash
Lightly beat the egg yolk and brush it over the tops of each roll for a golden finish.

Step 7: Bake
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the tops are a deep golden brown and the dough is fully cooked.

Step 8: Cool and Serve
Let them cool for 5 minutes before serving, they’ll still be warm but easier to handle.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Festive and Fun: Perfect for fall gatherings, Halloween, or Thanksgiving breakfast.

Quick and Easy: Only a handful of ingredients and less than 30 minutes from start to finish.

Kid-Friendly: Easy enough for kids to help with rolling and shaping.

Perfectly Balanced: Creamy, spiced filling wrapped in buttery crescent rolls.

Budget-Friendly: All ingredients are affordable and easy to find.

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Overfilling the Dough: Too much filling can cause leaks. Solution: Use only about 1 tablespoon per roll.

Dough Not Golden Enough: Skipping the egg wash means less color. Solution: Always brush with egg yolk before baking.

Undercooked Centers: Pumpkin filling can keep the inside soft. Solution: Check the bottoms, if they’re still pale, bake for 2–3 more minutes.

Filling Too Runny: If your pumpkin puree is watery, drain it through a cheesecloth before mixing.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve warm for breakfast with hot coffee or tea.

Add a dusting of cinnamon sugar on top before serving for extra sweetness.

Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Perfect addition to a fall brunch table.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Reheat in the oven at 325°F for 5–7 minutes to keep the outside crisp.

Avoid microwaving if possible, it makes the dough soggy.

FAQs

1. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble them, refrigerate for up to 24 hours, and bake when ready.

2. Can I freeze them?
Absolutely. Freeze after baking, then reheat in the oven at 325°F for about 10 minutes.

3. Can I use homemade crescent dough?
Yes. Just make sure it’s rolled thin enough to match store-bought thickness.

4. What if I don’t have pumpkin pie spice?
Mix 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon ginger.

5. Can I make them savory instead?
Yes, skip the sugar and spice, and fill with cream cheese, herbs, and shredded cheese.

Tips & Tricks

Chill the filling for 10 minutes before assembling to make it easier to work with.

Use a toothpick to lightly press vertical lines on the dough for a more “pumpkin” look.

For a richer flavor, replace vanilla extract with maple extract.

Recipe Variations

Apple Cinnamon Pumpkins: Swap pumpkin puree for applesauce, add cinnamon, and reduce sugar slightly.

Chocolate Pumpkin Rolls: Add 2 tablespoons cocoa powder to the filling and top with mini chocolate chips before rolling.

Savory Herb Pumpkins: Fill with cream cheese, garlic powder, chopped chives, and cheddar cheese for a snack option.

Final Thoughts

These Crescent Pumpkins brought the family into the kitchen, filled the house with the smell of fall, and made our afternoon brighter. I love that they’re simple enough to throw together after dinner but impressive enough to serve to guests.

Watching everyone’s face light up when they bite into that creamy, spiced filling. These are more than just a recipe, they’re a moment, a memory, and a sweet reminder that good food doesn’t have to be complicated.

Crescent Pumpkins With Cream Cheese And Pumpkin Pie Filling