Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive Appearance: The carrot shape makes these rolls perfect for Easter or spring-themed events.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up these appetizers in no time.
- Versatile Filling: While the recipe suggests a cream cheese and spinach filling, you can customize it with your favorite savory or sweet fillings.
Ingredients
- 4 sheets of foil
- 1 (8-ounce) can refrigerated crescent rolls
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (10-ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed, squeezed, drained, and chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Prepare the Foil Molds: Roll each sheet of foil into a cone-shaped mold.
- Shape the Dough: Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into four rectangular pieces. Press the diagonal seams together. Using a pizza cutter, cut each rectangle in half lengthwise to create two strips from each piece.
- Form the Carrot Shapes: Take one strip and wrap it around the bottom of a foil mold, pinching the tip to seal. Wrap the second strip around the mold, slightly overlapping the first, to create a carrot shape. Place on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are about an inch apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 7 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow them to cool completely before carefully removing the foil molds.
- Prepare the Filling: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, chopped spinach, garlic powder, and ground nutmeg until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Fill the Carrots: Transfer the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag and pipe it evenly into each crescent roll carrot.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: This recipe yields 4 stuffed crescent roll carrots.
- Prep Time: Approximately 20 minutes.
- Cook Time: 7 to 10 minutes.
- Total Time: About 30 minutes.
Variations
- Alternative Fillings: Try filling the crescent rolls with chicken salad, sweet cream cheese and fruit mixture for a different twist.
- Coloring the Dough: For a more vibrant carrot appearance, brush the dough with a mixture of red and yellow food coloring before baking.
- Herb Toppings: Insert small sprigs of fresh parsley or dill at the top of each “carrot” to mimic carrot greens and add a fresh flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Place any leftover stuffed crescent roll carrots in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes, or until warmed through. Avoid microwaving, as it may make the rolls soggy.
FAQs
1. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the crescent roll carrots and the filling separately a day in advance. Store them separately and fill the carrots just before serving to maintain freshness.
2. What if I don’t have foil to make molds?
If you don’t have foil, you can use cream horn molds or even oven-safe shot glasses wrapped in parchment paper as substitutes.
3. Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
Absolutely. Sauté fresh spinach until wilted, then chop and drain any excess moisture before mixing with the cream cheese.
4. How can I make the dough more orange?
Mix red and yellow food coloring to create an orange hue, then brush it onto the dough before baking.
5. What other fillings work well?
Besides the cream cheese and spinach filling, options like pimento cheese, crab salad, or even sweet fillings like Nutella with chopped nuts can be delicious alternatives.
6. Are there gluten-free options?
Yes, you can use gluten-free crescent roll dough available in stores to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
7. Can I freeze the stuffed carrots?
It’s not recommended to freeze them after filling, as the texture may change. However, you can freeze the baked, unfilled crescent roll carrots. Thaw and reheat them before adding the filling.
8. How do I prevent the dough from sticking to the molds?
Lightly grease the foil molds with cooking spray or butter before wrapping the dough to ensure easy removal after baking.
9. Can I add other herbs to the filling?
Certainly. Fresh herbs like chives, basil, or thyme can enhance the flavor of the filling.
10. What can I serve with these stuffed carrots?
They pair well with a fresh garden salad, roasted vegetables, or as part of an appetizer platter with dips
Print
Stuffed Crescent Roll Carrots
- Total Time: 7–10 minutes
- Yield: 20 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These delightful stuffed crescent roll carrots are a creative and delicious addition to any springtime gathering. Shaped like carrots and filled with a savory cream cheese and spinach mixture, they not only taste great but also add a festive touch to your table.
Ingredients
- 4 sheets of foil
- 1 (8-ounce) can refrigerated crescent rolls
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (10-ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed, squeezed, drained, and chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat the Oven: Set oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2️⃣ Prepare the Foil Molds: Roll each sheet of foil into a cone shape.
3️⃣ Shape the Dough: Unroll crescent roll dough and separate it into four rectangular pieces. Press diagonal seams together. Cut each rectangle in half lengthwise to create two strips from each piece.
4️⃣ Form Carrot Shapes: Wrap one strip around the bottom of a foil mold, pinching the tip to seal. Wrap the second strip around, slightly overlapping the first. Place on the baking sheet.
5️⃣ Bake: Bake for 7–10 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely before carefully removing the foil molds.
6️⃣ Prepare the Filling: In a bowl, mix cream cheese, chopped spinach, garlic powder, and nutmeg until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
7️⃣ Fill the Carrots: Transfer the mixture into a piping bag and fill each crescent roll carrot.
Notes
???? Coloring the Dough – Brush with red and yellow food coloring for a more vibrant carrot look.
???? Herb Toppings – Add fresh parsley or dill at the top for a realistic carrot effect.
- Prep Time: 4 stuffed crescent roll carrots
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
