Cranberry Cream Cheese Danish (Print Version)
Golden puff pastry layered with creamy cheese filling and vibrant cranberry topping, perfect for a morning treat.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pastry
01 - 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed (approx. 9 oz)
→ Cream Cheese Filling
02 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Cranberry Filling
05 - 1/2 cup cranberry sauce, whole berry preferred
06 - Zest of 1/2 orange (optional)
→ Egg Wash
07 - 1 egg
08 - 1 tablespoon milk
→ Glaze
09 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
10 - 1 to 2 teaspoons milk
11 - 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
# How-To Steps:
01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until smooth.
03 - Lightly flour a surface and roll puff pastry sheet slightly. Cut into 8 equal rectangles and arrange on the baking sheet with spacing.
04 - Using a sharp knife, score a 1/2-inch border inside each rectangle without cutting through the pastry.
05 - Spread approximately 1 tablespoon of cream cheese filling inside each border. Top with about 2 teaspoons of cranberry sauce and sprinkle with orange zest if desired.
06 - Whisk egg and milk together. Brush the mixture along the edges of each pastry rectangle.
07 - Bake pastries for 18 to 20 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
08 - Transfer baked pastries to a wire rack and let cool completely.
09 - Combine powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make a thick glaze. Drizzle over cooled pastries before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It feels like sharing a delicious secret that turns simple ingredients into breakfast magic
- The balance of creamy and tart became a surprise crowd-pleaser at every brunch
02 -
- The key is not cutting through the scoring line or your filling will leak, trust me it’s a game changer
- Letting the danish cool completely before glazing keeps that shine intact and avoids a melty mess
03 -
- Patience with thawing your puff pastry makes all the difference—too cold and it won’t puff properly
- Using whole berry cranberry sauce adds texture that elevates the eating experience immensely