Flaky Crescent Rolls from Scratch

If you love light, fluffy crescent rolls that are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, you’ve come to the right place! These luscious rolls and so delicious and simple to make. 

What is a Crescent Roll?

A crescent roll is similar in texture and taste to a dinner roll, but with flaky layers. 

The crescent shape is similar to a buttery croissant, but this is not a pastry. It’s truly a bread, one you will be happy serving alongside a tasty meal or all alone. 

When you bite into a crescent roll, you will immediately see all of the layers of flaky dough. The addition of butter before baking gives those layers a delicious flavor. 

This delicious dough is so versatile! Check out the bottom of this post for other ideas. You can use this dough recipe to make cinnamon rolls, Monkey Bread, and a variety of other tasty treats!

Crescent Rolls Ingredients

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a quick peek at what you’ll need. These are simple ingredients you probably have in your kitchen right now!

• warm water
• warm milk
• granulated sugar
• rapid rise yeast (one packet)
• large eggs
• all purpose flour
• salt
• butter, softened
• extra flour for workspace

How to Make Homemade Crescent Rolls from Scratch

Start by buttering or greasing a large bowl. Set aside. 

Combine warm water, milk, yeast, and sugar in a small bowl. Whisk yeast mixture until smooth and set aside to bloom for 10 minutes. 

Whisk the two eggs into the wet ingredients. 

Combine all purpose flour and salt in a large (separate) bowl. You can use the bowl of a stand mixer, if you have one. 

Pour the wet ingredients over the dry. 

Knead together for three minutes. I used my Thermomix but you can use a stand mixer with dough hook or you can knead by hand. 

Cut 4 tablespoons of softened butter into cubes and knead into dough. 

Dust workspace with flour. 

Place dough ball onto floured surface and form into a ball. (Scrape down sides of the bowl to get all of the dough!)

Place crescent roll dough in greased bowl to rise.

Cover with a tea towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm spot for 30 minutes to rise. 

Punch down the crescent dough. 

Divide the dough into two balls. 

Roll the first ball of dough into a circle. 

Using the back of a spoon, spread softened butter over the dough. 

Using a pizza cutter, cut into a dozen triangles. I started by cutting in half, then in half again. From there, it was easy to gauge how to divide each quarter into three pieces. 

Roll up, starting with the wide end. This way, you’ll end up with layers of dough, which is the secret to crescent rolls.

If you can work it so the tip lands on bottom, that’s best. Otherwise they try to unfold as they bake. (Look for a photo at the bottom of this recipe.)

You’re looking for a slight crescent shape in the finished product.

Place on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Brush with melted butter and place in preheated 375 degree oven. (Note: If you like, you can sprinkle with sea salt for added flavor and texture.)

Bake for 13 minutes or until golden brown. 

Remove from oven and place on wire rack to cool. 

Brush with more melted butter before serving. (Serve right away, while warm.) 

To store these crescent rolls, place in a ziplock bag and store at room temperature. Make sure they are completely cool before bagging. 

Rolls will stay fresh 2 – 3 days. You can freeze them up to two months in an airtight container. 

What to Expect from these Crescent Rolls

Homemade crescent rolls are the best, especially when you follow this easy recipe.

They’re soft and fluffy on the inside, crisp and buttery on the outside. 

In a word, these were delectable. Talk about the perfect dinner roll! (The perfect addition to any meal, no matter the time of day.)

I was startled at how easy these were. I had tried my hand at croissants awhile back and they were much more complicated, which is why I have yet to post that recipe. 

These, however? If you don’t count the rise time, they’re ready to go in minutes. And, my goodness! The recipe makes 24. 

Don’t worry, though. They will get eaten up in a hurry. This is one of those crescent roll recipes you’ll use again and again.

Variations on this Recipe

Now that I see how simple these are, I’m already planning for other varieties! 

Here are some of the variations I hope to try soon: 

Cinnamon and sugar: It just makes sense, doesn’t it? This is the perfect dough for cinnamon-sugar crescent rolls. Just add a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon to the butter before cutting into triangles. Roll as usual. 

Garlic and herb: I might make some garlic crescent rolls using this recipe. Adding minced garlic and Italian herbs to the softened butter before spreading should be easy enough. You could even bake in some mozzarella cheese for added flavor.

Hazelnut Spread: Just the idea of this option makes me swoon! Spread hazelnut spread (Nutella) onto the dough before cutting and rolling. 

Traditional Cinnamon Rolls: Use this dough as a base for traditional cinnamon rolls. Roll the dough into one large triangle, cover in butter, cinnamon and sugar, roll into a lot, and cut into pieces. Cover with cream cheese frosting. (Yum! Talk about the perfect sweet treat!)

Monkey Bread: I believe this dough would make a terrific base for a Monkey Bread. Follow the instructions you find here. 

Pigs in a Blanket: Perfect for game day or a party for teens or twenty-somethings! Use regular sized hot dogs or mini sausages.

Crescent roll pizza: This is a terrific dough to use as a base for pizza. Top with pizza sauce, meats, veggies, and cheese, then pop in the oven to bake for 12 – 13 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbling.

Other Breads from Out of the Box Baking

If you liked these warm buttery crescent rolls with their layers of flavor and texture, you’ll also enjoy the following: 

Light and Fluffy Yeast Rolls: A lot of recipes promise a light a fluffy yeast roll but simply don’t deliver. (Ask me how I know.) This recipe, a simple milk bread recipe, produces perfect rolls!

Tangzhong Milk Bread: If you’re looking for a bread recipe that’s light, fluffy, and loaded with flavor, you’ve come to the right place. This milk bread recipe is incredible versatile–perfect for loaves, rolls, and even cinnamon rolls! Best of all, it comes together easily and is almost foolproof.

Seed and Nut Bread: If you love nutty seed breads, have I got a treat for you! This simple bread recipe is loaded with the seeds and nuts of your choice. It’s packed full of nutrients and super easy to make! 

Soft Butter Rolls from Scratch: They’re light, fluffy, and have a buttery flavor. These soft butter rolls are the perfect dinner roll and so easy to make!

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That’s it for this post, friends! I hope you enjoyed this delicious buttery crescent rolls recipe. 

See this recipe at

Full Plate Thursday 

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Busy Monday

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About the Author

Janice Thompson is an author, baker, and all-around mischief maker! She has overcome a host of baking catastrophes, including a toppled wedding cake, to learn more about the baking process. Janice has published over 150 books for the Christian market but particularly enjoys writing recipes and baking devotions. To learn more about Janice or to drop her a note, visit her About the Author page.