Description
Delight in these Cream Cheese Danishes topped with homemade sugared cranberries and a smooth vanilla butter glaze. Flaky crescent roll dough envelops a creamy sweetened cream cheese filling, enhanced by seasonal jam and a crisp tart cranberry finish. Perfect for a cozy brunch or an indulgent breakfast treat, these danishes combine layers of texture and flavor in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Danish Dough and Filling
- 1 roll refrigerated crescent rolls
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash)
- 1/2 cup jam or fruit spread (strawberry or seasonal preference)
Sugared Cranberries
- 3 cups fresh cranberries, washed and dried
- 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
- Make the sugared cranberries: In a small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup granulated sugar to a boil and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes to create a simple syrup. Add the washed and dried cranberries to the pot, stirring gently to coat them in syrup. Transfer the cranberries to a parchment-lined tray and let them cool and become sticky for about one hour. Once cool, toss the cranberries with the remaining 3/4 cup granulated sugar until evenly coated.
- Prepare the cream cheese danishes: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Unroll the crescent roll dough onto a clean work surface and use a rolling pin to smooth it into a solid rectangle, pressing seams to seal.
- Mix the cream cheese filling: In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar until smooth. Spread this mixture evenly over the prepared dough rectangle.
- Form the danishes: Cut the dough into 4 long strips. Fold each strip in half to keep the cream cheese contained and then twist each strip into a rope. Coil each rope into a spiral shape to resemble a danish. Place the spirals on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Apply egg wash and add jam: Beat together the egg and milk to create an egg wash, then brush each danish generously. Dollop approximately 1 tablespoon of your chosen jam onto each danish.
- Bake the danishes: Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes. To achieve a deeper golden brown, increase the oven temperature to 400°F and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Prepare the vanilla butter glaze: While the danishes cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, warm melted salted butter, warm water, and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.
- Finish and serve: Top each cooled danish with a few of the sugared cranberries, then drizzle generously with the vanilla butter glaze. Enjoy warm for the best flavor and texture combination.
Notes
- To ensure your sugared cranberries are sticky and not wet, allow them to cool fully on the parchment before tossing with the remaining sugar.
- You can swap the strawberry jam for other seasonal fruit spreads to customize the flavor profile.
- If you prefer a less sweet glaze, adjust the powdered sugar amount slightly to taste.
- For an extra crispy danish, make sure to roll the dough tightly when forming the spiral shapes.
- These danishes are best enjoyed fresh and warm but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Pastry
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
