Go Back
Cream cheese danish with sugared cranberries, vanilla glaze, and flaky pastry layers on a plate

Cream Cheese Danishes with Sugared Cranberries and Vanilla

Cream Cheese Danishes with Sugared Cranberries are flaky, creamy pastries with a sweet-tart finish and bakery-style appeal. They are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special seasonal treat.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Rest Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Scandinavian
Calories: 758
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Danishes
  • 1 roll refrigerated crescent rolls
  • 2 oz / 55 g cream cheese
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 egg + 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash)
  • 1/2 cup jam or fruit spread
Glaze
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon warm melted salted butter
  • 1 tablespoon warm water
  • 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sugared Cranberries
  • 3 cups fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

Method
 

Sugared Cranberries
  1. Bring 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar to a boil and cook for 3-4 minutes.
  2. Stir the washed and dried cranberries into the syrup mixture.
  3. Move the cranberries to a parchment-lined tray and allow them to cool for one hour.
  4. Coat the sticky cranberries with the remaining 3/4 cup sugar.
Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Unroll the crescent dough onto a clean work surface, then roll it out while pressing the seams together to form a slightly larger rectangle.
  3. Combine the softened cream cheese and sugar until evenly mixed, then spread the filling over the dough.
  4. Slice the dough into 4 long strips. Fold each strip in half, twist each piece into a rope, and coil it into a spiral shape.
  5. Place the shaped danishes on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Baking
  1. Whisk the egg and milk together to make the egg wash, then brush each danish with the mixture.
  2. Add 1 tablespoon of jam to each danish.
  3. Bake for 10 minutes. For additional browning, increase the oven temperature to 400°F (204°C) and bake for 3-5 more minutes.
  4. Remove the danishes from the oven and allow them to cool.
Glaze and Topping
  1. Whisk the powdered sugar, melted salted butter, warm water, and vanilla extract together to make the glaze.
  2. Top each danish with a few sugared cranberries and drizzle with the glaze.

Notes

Stir the jam before adding it to the danishes so it becomes easier to spread. If needed, add a small amount of water to loosen the jam. The glaze sets quickly, so use it soon after mixing. Mixing the cream cheese and sugar by hand may create a slightly less smooth texture, but the folded pastry layers help conceal it; an electric mixer can be used for a smoother filling.