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Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls

What Are Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls?

Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls are a shortcut dessert that combines:

The gooey, caramel-like filling of pecan pie
With flaky, buttery refrigerated crescent roll dough

Instead of baking one large pie in a traditional crust, you roll the pecan filling up inside triangle-shaped pieces of dough and bake them into golden little crescents.

They’re:

Easier and faster than a full pie
Perfect for sharing (no slicing required)
Ideal for dessert trays, brunch spreads, or potlucks

Why You’ll Love This Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls Recipe

There are so many reasons bakers keep coming back to pecan pie crescent rolls:

Super simple ingredients
- Uses convenient canned crescent roll dough
- A basic mixture of butter, brown sugar, syrup, and pecans
Fast prep
- No need to make or roll out a pie crust
- Great last-minute dessert for unexpected guests
Flexible & forgiving
- Easy to adjust sweetness
- Can be made with different nuts or syrups
- Works as a dessert, a sweet snack, or a brunch treat
Perfect for entertaining
- Handheld, no forks required
- Easy to plate on tiered stands or trays
- Scales up for large gatherings with very little extra work

Key Ingredients for Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls

Before you start rolling, let’s look at the main components that make these pecan crescent rolls so rich and flavorful.

Crescent Roll Dough

The base of this recipe is refrigerated crescent roll dough. You can use:

Standard triangle crescent rolls
Crescent roll sheets (cut into triangles or strips)

Choose whichever is easier to find. Crescent roll dough brings:

A buttery, light texture
Absolutely no need to make pastry from scratch
Reliable puff and browning in a short bake time

Pecans

Pecans are the star of this dessert. You can use:

Chopped pecans – for a more even filling distribution
Pecan halves – for garnish
Lightly toasted pecans – for the best flavor and aroma

Toasting the pecans briefly in the oven or on the stovetop brings out a deeper, more intense nutty flavor and adds a delicate crunch to every bite.

If needed, you can experiment with:

Walnuts
Almonds
Mixed nuts

However, pecans provide the most authentic pecan pie taste.

Sweeteners

The pecan pie crescent filling usually includes a combination of:

Brown sugar
- Adds caramel notes
- Dissolves into a syrupy mixture with the butter
Syrup
- Light corn syrup, golden syrup, or maple syrup can work
- Helps create that gooey, glossy texture associated with pecan pie

You can play with the ratio of sugar and syrup depending on your preferred sweetness and texture.

Butter

Melted butter holds the filling together and adds richness. You can use:

Unsalted butter – most common; adjust salt in the recipe
Salted butter – reduce or omit any extra salt

The butter mixes with sugar and syrup to form a thick, spoonable filling that clings to the chopped pecans.

Egg (Optional)

Some bakers like to mimic true pecan pie custard by adding an egg to the filling mixture. This:

Helps the filling set more firmly
Gives a slightly custardy texture

You can also leave the egg out for a simpler sugar-butter filling that’s still gooey and delicious.

Flavor Boosters

To give your Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls a signature twist, consider:

Vanilla extract – enhances the sweetness and warmth
Ground cinnamon or nutmeg – adds cozy fall flavors
Bourbon or dark rum – for a grown-up dessert variation
Pinch of flaky sea salt – balances sweetness and highlights caramel notes

Optional Toppings

Once baked, you can go as simple or fancy as you like:

Powdered sugar glaze
Caramel sauce drizzle
Melted chocolate drizzle
Extra toasted pecans on top
Light dusting of powdered sugar for a bakery-style finish

Golden pecan pie crescent rolls with glossy pecan filling on a parchment-lined tray

Step-by-Step: How to Make Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls

Let’s walk through the process from preheating the oven to that very first bite.

1. Prep Your Pan and Ingredients

Before you start, gather everything you need:

1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough
Chopped pecans
Brown sugar
Syrup (corn, golden, or maple)
Melted butter
Vanilla and spices (optional)
Egg (optional)

Then:

Preheat oven to 350–375°F (175–190°C), based on your dough package.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

2. Toast the Pecans

Toasting the pecans is optional but strongly recommended. Toasted pecans bring out deeper, warmer flavor notes and a crunchier texture.

You can toast them by:

Spreading pecan halves on a baking sheet
Toasting in the oven for 5–7 minutes at 350°F, shaking once, until fragrant
Or toasting them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently

Allow them to cool slightly, then chop them.

3. Make the Pecan Pie Filling

In a medium bowl, whisk together:

Melted butter
Brown sugar
Syrup (corn syrup, maple syrup, or a mix)
Vanilla extract
Small pinch of salt
Egg (if using)

You’re aiming for a thick, glossy mixture. Then:

Stir in your chopped pecans until they’re thoroughly coated
The filling should be spoonable but not runny

You can adjust the consistency by adding:

A bit more pecans if it seems too thin
A little more syrup or melted butter if it feels too dry

4. Prepare the Crescent Roll Dough

Open your can of crescent roll dough and:

Carefully unroll it onto a lightly floured surface or a sheet of parchment
Separate into individual triangles along the perforated lines
If the perforations are weak, gently pinch them closed so filling won’t leak through

If you’re using a sheet of crescent dough:

Cut it into triangles or long strips, depending on the shape you want
You can gently roll the dough out slightly thinner for extra flakiness

5. Fill the Triangles

Working with one triangle at a time:

Place it with the wide end facing you.
Spoon a small amount of pecan filling onto the wide end.
Avoid overfilling — too much filling can cause leaks as the rolls bake.

A good rule of thumb is:

About 1 to 1½ teaspoons of filling per standard triangle
Enough to taste rich and gooey but not so much that it spills out the sides

6. Roll and Arrange

To shape your pecan crescent rolls:

Gently roll each triangle from the wide end up toward the tip
Tuck in the sides slightly as you roll to help hold the filling in
Place the rolls tip-side down on the prepared baking sheet
Leave some space between rolls so they can puff and brown evenly

If some filling oozes out while rolling, don’t stress — a bit of bubbling caramel around the edges can look beautiful and taste amazing.

7. Bake Until Golden

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and:

Bake according to the time on your crescent dough package, usually around 9–12 minutes
Because these are filled, you might need an extra 2–3 minutes

Check for these visual cues:

The rolls are deep golden brown on top
There are no visible raw or pale patches of dough
Any exposed filling looks bubbly and just set

If the tops are getting too dark before the centers are done, you can:

Loosely tent the rolls with foil and continue baking for a few extra minutes

8. Cool, Glaze, and Serve

Once baked:

Remove the Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls from the oven
Let them cool in the pan for 5–10 minutes so the filling can set
Transfer to a wire rack if you’d like them to cool more quickly

Then finish with any toppings you love:

Drizzle a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and vanilla
Add a thin stream of caramel sauce
Sprinkle with extra chopped toasted pecans
Add a few flakes of sea salt for a sweet-salty contrast

Serving Ideas and Presentation Tips

How you serve your Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls can make them feel even more special.

When to Serve

These rolls fit into almost any cozy or festive occasion, such as:

Thanksgiving dessert buffet
Christmas cookie and sweets trays
Fall bonfire nights
Holiday brunches
Casual coffee dates or afternoon tea

Plating and Styling

To make them look extra inviting:

Arrange rolls in a spiral or tree shape on a large platter
Stack them on a tiered dessert stand with other sweets
Use a rustic wooden board for a cozy, farmhouse-style look

Add visual interest with:

Extra toasted pecans were scattered on the plate
Small bowls of caramel or chocolate sauce for dipping
Fresh berries or orange slices for a pop of color

Pairings

Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls taste amazing with:

Hot coffee or espresso
Spiced tea or chai
Hot chocolate or a warm spiced drink

If you want to dress them up even further, serve them:

With a scoop of vanilla ice cream
Or a swirl of lightly sweetened whipped cream

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Freezing Tips

One of the best parts about Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls is how flexible they are for planning.

Make-Ahead Options

You can prepare these in a few different ways:

Assemble unbaked rolls
- Place filled rolls on a baking sheet
- Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours
- Bake directly from the fridge, adding a couple of extra minutes if needed
Bake ahead and reheat
- Bake the rolls completely
- Cool them fully
- Store them in an airtight container
- Reheat briefly in the oven before serving to refresh the texture

Storing Leftovers

If you have any rolls left:

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for about a day or so
For longer storage, refrigerate them for 3–4 days
Reheat in a low oven or air fryer until warm and slightly crisp on the outside

Avoid microwaving too long, as it can make the dough chewy rather than flaky.

Freezing Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls

To freeze your rolls:

Bake and cool them completely.
Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm.
Transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers.

To reheat:

Warm in a 325–350°F (165–175°C) oven until heated through
Add glaze or drizzle after reheating for the best appearance

Troubleshooting

Even a simple recipe can have its challenges. Here are common issues and how to fix them.

Problem: Filling Leaks Out

If you notice pecan filling leaking onto the baking sheet:

Don’t overfill your triangles
Keep filling slightly away from the edges
Pinch perforations and seams closed before rolling
Always place rolls tip-side down

A little caramelized syrup pooling around the base is normal (and delicious), but you want to avoid large spills.

Problem: Soggy Bottoms

For crisp, flaky bottoms:

Bake on a light-colored baking sheet
Use parchment instead of greased foil
Avoid crowding the rolls; give them airflow

If your oven runs cool, extend the bake time slightly so the dough cooks through fully.

Problem: Over-Browned Tops, Underdone Centers

If the tops are dark but the centers aren’t quite done:

Lower the oven temperature by about 25°F (10–15°C) next time
Bake on the middle rack, not too close to the top heating element
Tent loosely with foil in the last few minutes to prevent extra browning while the inside finishes baking

FAQs About Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls

1. Can I use canned pecan pie filling?

Yes. If you have canned pecan pie filling on hand, you can use it as a shortcut. Just:

Spoon a small amount onto each dough triangle
Avoid overfilling
Bake until the dough is deep golden and the filling looks set

The texture and sweetness may differ slightly from a homemade filling, but it’s a handy time-saver.

2. Do I really need to toast the pecans?

You don’t have to, but it makes a noticeable difference. Toasting pecans brings out a deeper flavor and a more pronounced crunch in the final roll. If you’re short on time, you can skip it, but once you taste toasted pecans, you’ll likely make it a standard step.

3. Can I make pecan pie crescent rolls ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can:

Assemble and refrigerate unbaked rolls for up to 24 hours
Or bake them ahead and reheat briefly in the oven before serving

4. How do I keep the filling from leaking out?

To keep filling inside the rolls as much as possible:

Spoon a modest amount of filling onto each triangle
Keep it away from the edges
Pinch perforations and seams before rolling
Place rolls tip-side down on the tray

Final Thoughts

Pecan Pie Crescent Rolls are the ultimate dessert hack when you’re craving that classic, cozy pecan pie flavor but don’t have time for a full pie. With flaky crescent dough, a quick homemade pecan pie filling, and a few simple toppings, you can have bakery-worthy treats in a fraction of the time.