These Genius Cookies Don’t Require Cookie Dough

The internet agrees—they look “so delicious.’’

There’s a reason why slice-and-bake cookies were invented—in a pinch, they couldn’t be more convenient. But, while we love them for late-night nibbles and after-school snacks, when you really want to entertain, it might be worth leveling up from the trusty Pillsbury log.

Well, we just discovered a cookie hack that’s just one notch above slice-and-bake, but has the extra layer of homemade flair you’re looking for. It’s a bit untraditional, but it’s sure to wow your guests and give them a cookie experience that a store-bought cookie dough could never.

The Viral Crescent Roll Cookie Hack

Here’s a new and inventive way to make sweet, cookie-like creations without any cookie dough at all: using a can of handy-dandy crescent roll dough.

There are so many ways to creatively bake with crescent roll dough, from hearty breakfast casseroles to decadent cream cheese squares to dozens of savory party apps. But, for all the ways we’ve spun, stretched, and sliced the prepared dough, we’ve never served it up like this before.

This brilliant baking hack comes from blogger and recipe developer genie_cooks on Instagram, and it basically turns the rolled crescent dough into flakey, danish-like treats that look positively devourable.

Here’s how it works. Before unrolling the cylinder of dough, slice the log into spiral rounds, then flatten each round to make uniform circles. From there, you can bake them into crispy, buttery, jam-topped bites that are ready to please a crowd. These treats take five minutes to prep, eight minutes to bake, and no time to disappear from the plate.

These ‘cookies’ would make the easiest teatime snack, a sweet addition to a brunch spread, or a delightful ending to a holiday meal. You can change up the toppings to transform them into savory appetizers, or replace the jam with a swipe of Nutella for extra decadence. Whenever—and however—you make them, this brilliantly simple recipe is sure to replace your regular cookie dough roll.

How to Make Crescent Roll Cookies

To make canned crescent roll cookies, start by preheating the oven to 375-degrees F. Cut the log of unrolled crescent dough into half inch-thick slices (you’ll get about 16), then move the slices to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Use your fingers to press each round flat.

In a bowl, combine four ounces of softened cream cheese, a splash of vanilla, and three tablespoons of powdered sugar. Spoon a teaspoon of the mixture onto each cookie and spread evenly, then top with a small dollop of your favorite jam.

Bake for about 8 minutes, or until the cookie base looks crisp. Let the cookies cool for a minute on the pan, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely before enjoying.

Once you know the basics, you can put your own spin on this simple recipe, like adding red pepper jelly on top of the cream cheese or trying out a ready-made cheesecake filling, as some of the Instagram comments suggest.

“I made these and used fresh lemon juice in the cream cheese mixture and added a fresh strawberry slice after baking,” one user shared. “They were a BIG hit with the family.”

Read the original article on All Recipes.