Hey there, pastry lover! If you’ve been dreaming about biting into a soft, flaky Danish filled with creamy sweetness and a touch of tart cranberry, then this Cream Cheese Cranberry Danish recipe is about to make all your breakfast or brunch dreams come true. It’s a perfect mix of buttery, golden pastry, velvety cream cheese filling, and tangy cranberry sauce—so delicious, you’ll want to bake a batch every weekend.
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These little beauties are surprisingly simple to make, and the flavor combo is chef’s kiss. Trust me, once you pop one of these in your mouth, you’ll be transported straight to pastry heaven. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just treating yourself (because you deserve it), these Danishes will make your kitchen smell like a bakery!
Why You’ll Love Cream Cheese Cranberry Danishes
This recipe is a total crowd-pleaser, and I can already imagine how impressed your family or friends will be when they walk in and smell the warm, buttery goodness. Here’s why these danishes are going to be your new go-to:
Versatile: Perfect for brunch, breakfast, or even as a sweet treat to accompany your afternoon coffee. These danishes can easily be dressed up for holidays or casual gatherings.
Easy to Make: Don’t worry about complex steps or special skills. If you can roll dough and spoon in filling, you’ve got this. It’s easier than you might think, and the result is totally worth it.
Flavor Balance: The sweet cream cheese filling paired with the tart cranberry is the perfect match, creating a taste explosion in every bite.
Impressive Look: You’ll feel like a baking pro with these Danishes. The golden, crisp pastry with its colorful filling looks impressive enough to serve at a holiday table or share at a brunch party.
Comforting: There’s something so cozy and comforting about biting into a warm pastry that feels like a hug from the inside. These danishes will give you all those feel-good vibes.
Ingredients in Cream Cheese Cranberry Danishes
Let’s talk ingredients. The best part is, you don’t need a ton of fancy items to make these, just a few pantry staples and you’re good to go:
Puff Pastry Sheets: These are the base of your Danishes, giving you that signature flaky texture. No shame in using store-bought—puff pastry is your secret weapon.
Cream Cheese: Softened and blended with sugar, this will give your Danishes that dreamy, creamy filling. It’s rich and decadent but light enough to complement the tart cranberry.
Sugar: Sweetens up the cream cheese filling, balancing out the tangy cranberry sauce.
Vanilla Extract: A little vanilla adds depth and that comforting, familiar flavor to the cream cheese filling.
Cranberry Sauce: The star of the show! Tangy, sweet, and just the right touch of tartness to contrast the sweetness of the cream cheese.
Egg Wash: A simple mix of egg and water to brush on top of the puff pastry before baking. It gives the Danishes that gorgeous golden, glossy finish.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Now, let’s get to the fun part—putting it all together! Here’s how you’ll make these creamy, flaky, fruity little beauties:
Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it nice and hot before you bake the Danishes.
Prepare the Puff Pastry: Unfold your puff pastry sheets on a clean surface. Cut them into squares (around 4×4 inches each) so that you have enough for individual Danishes.
Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, mix softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. This filling will be your creamy dream layer inside the pastry.
Assemble the Danishes: Place a generous spoonful of the cream cheese filling in the center of each puff pastry square. Then, add a spoonful of cranberry sauce on top of the cream cheese—just enough to add that perfect pop of color and tang.
Fold the Pastry: Gently fold the corners of the puff pastry squares toward the center to create a little pocket. You can pinch the edges together or leave them slightly open for a more rustic look.
Brush with Egg Wash: Whisk together an egg and a splash of water. Brush the tops of the pastries with this egg wash for a golden, glossy finish.
Bake to Perfection: Place the prepared Danishes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in your preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they are golden and puffed up.
Cool and Serve: Let your Danishes cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before digging in. If you’d like, you can drizzle a little powdered sugar glaze over the top for extra sweetness.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve these little beauties warm, and watch everyone rave about how delicious they are!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Calories per serving: 250
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
How to Serve Cream Cheese Cranberry Danishes
These Danishes are wonderful on their own, but here are a few ideas to elevate your serving experience:
Coffee or Tea: Pair these with a hot cup of your favorite coffee or a soothing pot of tea for the ultimate brunch experience.
Fruit Salad: A refreshing fruit salad with citrus and berries will balance the richness of the Danishes.
Whipped Cream: For an indulgent touch, top the Danishes with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Yogurt Parfait: Serve alongside a light yogurt parfait for a nice contrast of textures and flavors.
Additional Tips
Prep Ahead: If you want to save time, prepare the cream cheese filling and cranberry sauce the night before. Store them in the fridge and assemble the Danishes the next morning.
Use Homemade Cranberry Sauce: If you’ve got some homemade cranberry sauce on hand, it’ll make this recipe even more special. If not, no worries—store-bought works perfectly!
Don’t Skip the Egg Wash: This will give your Danishes that irresistible golden color and make them look extra fancy.
Storage Tips: These Danishes are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the oven for a few minutes to bring back the flakiness.
Freezer Friendly: You can also freeze the unbaked Danishes for up to 1 month. Simply assemble them, freeze on a baking sheet, and once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, just add an extra 5 minutes to the baking time.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I make these with a different fruit?
A1: Absolutely! You can swap the cranberry sauce for other fruit fillings, like raspberry, blueberry, or apple pie filling. The cream cheese pairs wonderfully with all of them.
Q2: Can I use a different type of pastry?
A2: If puff pastry isn’t your thing, you can try using crescent roll dough or even phyllo pastry for a lighter, crispier texture.
Q3: How do I store leftovers?
A3: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven to refresh the texture.
Q4: Can I make these ahead of time?
A4: Yes! You can assemble the Danishes, refrigerate them overnight, and bake them the next day. Freshly baked in the morning—what a treat!
Q5: Can I freeze these before baking?
A5: Yes, you can freeze the assembled but unbaked Danishes. Just bake them directly from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Q6: What’s the best way to reheat these?
A6: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes to restore the flakiness.
Q7: Can I make these without the egg wash?
A7: You can, but the egg wash helps give the pastries that golden, glossy finish. You could also use a milk wash if you prefer.
Q8: Can I make these gluten-free?
A8: You can try using a gluten-free puff pastry option, though the texture may vary slightly. Be sure to check the labels for gluten-free compliance.
Q9: How long will these stay fresh?
A9: Best enjoyed within 2 days for maximum freshness. After that, they’re still tasty but may lose some of that crispiness.
Q10: Can I add icing on top?
A10: Absolutely! A simple powdered sugar glaze would be the perfect finishing touch for these sweet treats.
Conclusion
These Cream Cheese Cranberry Danishes are more than just pastries—they’re little pockets of joy that will brighten up any day. Whether it’s for a holiday breakfast, a weekend treat, or a simple indulgence, these Danishes are sure to impress. So grab that puff pastry and cream cheese, and get baking—you won’t regret it!
Print
Cream Cheese Cranberry Danishes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 large danishes
- Category: Pastry, Holiday Treats
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cream Cheese Danishes are the perfect holiday treat! Buttery crescent dough wrapped around a creamy filling and topped with sweet strawberry jam, sugared cranberries, and a rich vanilla butter glaze. A festive pastry that’s sure to brighten any occasion!
Ingredients
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For the Cream Cheese Danishes:
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1 roll refrigerated crescent rolls
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2 ounces cream cheese
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1 tablespoon granulated sugar
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1 egg + 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash)
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1/2 cup jam or fruit spread (strawberry or seasonal variety)
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For the Vanilla Butter Glaze:
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1/2 cup powdered sugar
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1 tablespoon warm melted salted butter
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1 tablespoon warm water
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1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
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For the Sugared Cranberries:
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3 cups fresh cranberries
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1/2 cup water
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1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
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Instructions
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Make the Sugared Cranberries:
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Boil 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar for 3-4 minutes.
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Add the washed and dried cranberries, stir, and transfer them to a parchment-lined tray to cool for one hour.
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Once cool, toss the cranberries with the remaining 3/4 cup sugar to coat them.
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Make the Cream Cheese Danishes:
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Preheat the oven to 375°F. Unroll the crescent dough and use a rolling pin to press the seams together, forming a rectangle slightly larger than the original dough.
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Mix softened cream cheese with sugar and spread evenly over the dough.
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Cut the dough into 4 long strips. Fold each strip in half and twist it into a long rope, then roll each rope into a spiral shape to form the danishes.
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Place the danishes on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
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Egg Wash and Jam:
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Mix the egg and milk to create an egg wash. Brush each danish with the egg wash and dollop each with 1 tablespoon of jam.
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Bake for 10 minutes. Optionally, increase the temperature to 400°F for 3-5 more minutes for more browning.
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Finish and Glaze:
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Remove the danishes from the oven and let them cool.
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Whisk the glaze ingredients together and drizzle over the cooled danishes.
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Top with a few sugared cranberries. Serve warm and enjoy the creamy, jammy, cranberry goodness!
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Notes
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These danishes are especially delicious when served warm, with the cream cheese filling and jam melting perfectly together.
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For the jam, strawberry is a classic choice, but feel free to experiment with other fruit spreads for a seasonal twist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 danish
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg