Name: Crescent Pizza Stockings Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Dough Sheet; 1/4 cup pizza sauce; 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (1 oz); 2 tablespoons torn basil leaves

If you’re looking for a fun and delicious twist on pizza that’s perfect for parties or cozy nights at home, you’re going to adore the Crescent Pizza Stockings Recipe. These adorable, stocking-shaped bites combine buttery crescent dough with rich pizza sauce, gooey mozzarella, and fresh basil, creating a snack that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat. Whether you’re making them for a holiday gathering or just a tasty snack, this recipe brings a perfect balance of crispy, cheesy, and savory in every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a wooden board with light beige dough rolled out flat on top. On the dough, there is a red cookie cutter shaped like a stocking pressed halfway into the dough, where three stocking-shaped dough pieces have already been cut out and are still inside the dough sheet. To the right of the board, on a white tray with parchment paper, there are three more stocking-shaped dough pieces already cut. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Keeping it simple is the key to this recipe’s charm. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in delivering that perfect combination of flaky dough, flavorful sauce, melty cheese, and fresh herb goodness that makes the Crescent Pizza Stockings Recipe so irresistible.

Crescent dough sheet: This provides the buttery, flaky base that shapes your pizza stockings and gives that delightful texture.
Pizza sauce: Adds a rich tomatoey depth with the right blend of herbs and spice to complement the cheese.
Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully on top, creating that classic gooey stretch that pizza lovers crave.
Fresh basil leaves: Torn basil adds a fresh, aromatic contrast that brightens every bite.

TIP

You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.

How to Make Crescent Pizza Stockings Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Dough Stockings

Start by heating your oven to 350°F. Unroll the refrigerated crescent dough on a clean work surface and gently press it into a 13 by 8-inch rectangle. This gives you a consistent base for cutting out your stocking shapes. Using a 2 1/2- to 3-inch stocking-shaped cookie cutter, cut twelve stocking shapes out of the dough and transfer them to an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake these dough stockings for about 8 minutes until they’re just golden and lightly cooked through. This pre-baking step ensures your structure holds up once you add the toppings.

Step 2: Add Sauces and Cheese for Perfect Flavor

Next, spread a thin layer of pizza sauce carefully on each pre-baked stocking, leaving a quarter-inch border around the edges to keep everything neat. Then, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese just along the top portion of each stocking. This strategic placement ensures a lovely melt and that cheesy pull classic to any pizza. Pop them back in the oven and bake for an additional 4 to 6 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.

Step 3: Garnish and Serve Your Pizza Stockings

Once out of the oven, let your Crescent Pizza Stockings cool for a moment before transferring them to a serving tray. Finish by sprinkling with torn fresh basil leaves—all the better to enhance each bite with a fragrant, herbal lift. These little pizzas are now ready to wow your friends and family with their festive shape and irresistible flavor!

How to Serve Crescent Pizza Stockings Recipe

The image shows small stocking-shaped cookies on a silver baking tray placed on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has three layers: the base layer is a light tan cookie dough with a smooth texture, topped by a thin layer of red tomato sauce covering most of the cookie, and finished with small pieces of melted white cheese scattered unevenly on top. Some of the cookies are garnished with thin sliced green basil leaves scattered across the tomato sauce layer, while others have only the cheese topping. A woman's hand is gently holding one of the cookies at the edge of the tray. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh torn basil is the perfect garnish but you can also add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or a few chili flakes if you want a bit of an edge. A drizzle of olive oil or a pinch of dried oregano can add a lovely Mediterranean flair too. These finishing touches elevate the look and taste without taking any attention away from the main stars: the dough, sauce, and cheese.

Side Dishes

These Crescent Pizza Stockings are ideal as a party appetizer, but they also pair wonderfully with fresh salads, such as a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette or a simple Caesar to balance out the richness. A bowl of marinara sauce for dipping can add another layer of indulgence. If you’re going full meal mode, serve them alongside classic Italian sides like garlic bread or roasted vegetables.

Creative Ways to Present

Presentation is half the fun! Arrange your pizza stockings on a wooden serving platter decorated with small bowls of marinara dip and scattered fresh herbs. For a party, set them on a festive holiday platter with themed napkins to highlight their stocking shape. You can even string a little edible “garland” around the tray using fresh herbs or pepperoni slices to make them feel even more special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (which might be rare!), place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. They will keep well for up to 2 days. To maintain their texture, avoid stacking them too tightly to prevent sogginess.

Freezing

These Crescent Pizza Stockings freeze nicely if you want to prep in advance. After cutting and baking the dough stockings, cool them completely and layer them between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to bake and finish with toppings, let them thaw in the fridge overnight for best results.

Reheating

Reheat leftover or thawed Crescent Pizza Stockings in a 350°F oven for about 5 to 8 minutes until warmed through and crisp again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that perfect flakiness and avoid soggy dough.

FAQs

Can I use regular crescent rolls instead of the dough sheet?

While regular crescent rolls can be used, the dough sheet gives you a smooth, even surface that’s easier for cutting out the stocking shapes. The texture might differ slightly with rolls, but it will still taste delicious!

What if I don’t have a stocking-shaped cookie cutter?

No worries! You can use any small cookie cutter or even shape the stockings by hand with a knife. The unique shape adds fun, but the flavor will be just as fabulous regardless.

Can I add other toppings to this recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to add pepperoni, olives, or your favorite pizza toppings before baking the second time. Just be mindful of layering to avoid soggy dough.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes! The Crescent Pizza Stockings Recipe is a hit with kids, especially because of the fun shapes and familiar pizza flavors. It’s also a great way to get little helpers involved in the kitchen.

How can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

It’s already vegetarian-friendly, but for a vegan version, try using vegan crescent dough, plant-based cheese, and a dairy-free pizza sauce. Fresh basil is naturally vegan and adds the perfect finishing touch.

Final Thoughts

This Crescent Pizza Stockings Recipe is a joyful, flavorful way to bring some pizzazz to your snack or party table. With its simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll love how easily you can whip up a batch of these charming, cheesy bites. So grab your cookie cutter, rally your favorite people, and get ready to make some memories (and maybe a few happy crumbs too) with these irresistible pizza stockings.