Cream Cheese Danishes with Sugared Cranberries and Vanilla Butter Glaze Recipe

Introduction

Cream Cheese Danishes with Sugared Cranberries and Vanilla Butter Glaze offer a delightful balance of creamy, sweet, and tart flavors wrapped in flaky pastry. Perfect for a special breakfast or an elegant dessert, these danishes are surprisingly easy to make at home.

Ingredients

• 1 roll refrigerated crescent rolls
• 2 ounces cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 egg + 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash)
• 1/2 cup jam or fruit spread (strawberry or seasonal flavors)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon warm melted salted butter
• 1 tablespoon warm water
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar (divided)

Instructions

1. Make the sugared cranberries: In a small pot, boil 1/2 cup water with 1/2 cup sugar for 3-4 minutes. Add the washed and dried cranberries, stirring to coat. Transfer the cranberries to a parchment-lined tray and let them cool for one hour to become sticky but not wet. Once cool, toss the cranberries with the remaining 3/4 cup sugar to coat evenly.
2. Prepare the danish dough: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Unroll the crescent dough onto a clean surface and use a rolling pin to press the seams together, forming a solid rectangle slightly larger than the original.
3. Make the cream cheese filling: Combine the softened cream cheese and 1 tablespoon sugar until smooth and creamy. Spread this mixture evenly over the dough rectangle.
4. Shape the danishes: Cut the dough into 4 long strips. Fold each strip in half to keep the cream cheese contained, then twist each strip into a rope. Roll each rope into a spiral to form the danish shape, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Apply egg wash and add jam: Mix the egg and milk to make an egg wash. Brush each danish with the egg wash, then add a tablespoon of jam on top of each one.
6. Bake the danishes: Bake for 10 minutes at 375°F. For deeper browning, increase the oven temperature to 400°F and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
7. Prepare the glaze: While the danishes cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, melted butter, warm water, and vanilla extract until smooth.
8. Finish and serve: Once cooled, top each danish with a few sugared cranberries and drizzle with the vanilla butter glaze. These danishes are especially delicious when served warm.

Tips & Variations

• Use seasonal fruit jams like apricot or raspberry for a twist on flavor.
• For a nutty crunch, sprinkle chopped almonds or pecans on top before baking.
• Make sure cranberries are dry before tossing in sugar to ensure they stick properly.
• To save time, prepare sugared cranberries a day ahead and store them in an airtight container.

Storage

Store leftover danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a low oven or toaster oven to restore flakiness. Sugared cranberries can be kept separately in an airtight container for up to one week.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade pastry dough instead of crescent rolls?

Yes, homemade puff pastry or other flaky dough works well and can add extra richness and texture to the danishes.

How do I keep the cream cheese from leaking during baking?

Folding each dough strip in half before twisting helps contain the cream cheese. Also, avoid overfilling and make sure the dough is sealed tightly before baking.

Cream Cheese Danishes with Sugared Cranberries and Vanilla Butter Glaze Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 117 reviews

These Cream Cheese Danishes with Sugared Cranberries and Vanilla Butter Glaze are a delightful treat that combines flaky crescent roll dough, a creamy sweetened cheese layer, and bursts of fruity jam. Topped with tart sugared cranberries and a smooth vanilla butter glaze, these danishes offer a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors, ideal for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

• Author: Yana
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 danishes 1x
• Category: Breakfast Pastry
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Danish Dough & Cream Cheese Filling

• 1 roll refrigerated crescent rolls
• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/2 cup jam or fruit spread (strawberry or seasonal)

Sugared Cranberries

• 3 cups fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar (divided: 1/2 cup + 3/4 cup)

Vanilla Butter Glaze

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon warm melted salted butter
• 1 tablespoon warm water
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Make the Sugared Cranberries: In a small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup granulated sugar to a boil. Boil for 3-4 minutes to create a simple syrup. Add the washed and dried fresh cranberries to the syrup, stirring gently to coat them evenly. Transfer the cranberries to a parchment-lined tray, spreading them out, and let them cool for one hour to become sticky but not overly wet. Once cooled, toss the cranberries with the remaining 3/4 cup of sugar to fully coat them, setting aside for garnish.
2. Prepare the Dough: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Unroll the refrigerated crescent roll dough onto a clean work surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out gently and press the seams together to create one solid rectangle, slightly larger than its original size, ensuring a uniform base for the filling.
3. Mix the Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, blend the softened cream cheese with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar until smooth and evenly combined. Spread this mixture evenly over the rolled-out dough to create a creamy layer.
4. Shape the Danishes: Cut the dough into four long strips. Fold each strip in half carefully to prevent the cream cheese from sticking to your hands, then twist each strip into a long rope. Coil each rope into a spiral to form a danish shape. Place each formed danish onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Apply Egg Wash and Add Jam: Mix the egg with the tablespoon of milk to create an egg wash. Brush this gently over each danish to give them a golden finish when baked. Dollop about 1 tablespoon of jam or fruit spread onto the center of each danish.
6. Bake the Danishes: Bake the danishes in the preheated oven at 375°F for 10 minutes. For a more golden and crisp finish, increase the oven temperature to 400°F (204°C) and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
7. Prepare the Vanilla Butter Glaze: While the danishes are baking and cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, warm melted salted butter, warm water, and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.
8. Finish the Danishes: Once the danishes are removed from the oven and slightly cooled, top each with a few of the prepared sugared cranberries for a tart and crunchy contrast. Drizzle the vanilla butter glaze generously over the danishes. Serve warm for the best flavor experience.

Notes

• The sugared cranberries add a beautiful tart crunch that balances the rich cream cheese and sweet glaze perfectly.
• You can use any jam or fruit spread you prefer; seasonal flavors like raspberry or apricot also work wonderfully.
• If you prefer a softer danish, skip the higher temperature baking step; if you like them crunchier, baking longer at 400°F will achieve that.
• The cream cheese should be softened to room temperature to blend smoothly with the sugar.
• These danishes are best enjoyed warm but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days and gently reheated before serving.

Keywords: cream cheese danishes, sugared cranberries, vanilla butter glaze, crescent roll pastry, easy danish recipe, breakfast pastry