Leftover Cranberry Sauce Cheese Danish Recipe
A delightful and easy-to-make pastry combining flaky puff pastry, creamy sweetened cream cheese, and tangy leftover cranberry sauce, topped with a fresh orange vanilla glaze. Perfect for using up holiday leftovers and enjoying a sweet breakfast or dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Total Time: 31 minutes
- Yield: 8 danishes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp water
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
Topping
- 1 cup leftover cranberry sauce
Orange Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tbsp orange juice (add 1/4 tsp at a time if you need to thin out the glaze)
- 1/2 tsp orange zest (optional, for stronger orange flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Slice the frozen puff pastry sheet into 8 equal rectangles. Score each rectangle about 1/4 inch from the edges with a sharp knife to create a border. Then poke the centers of the puff pastry squares with a fork to prevent the center from puffing up during baking. Set aside in a cool place.
- Make Cream Cheese Filling: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Spoon 1-2 heaping tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture onto the center of each puff pastry square, spreading gently and avoiding the scored edges.
- Add Cranberry Sauce: Top the cream cheese layer on each pastry with 1-2 tablespoons of leftover cranberry sauce, gently spreading it while avoiding the edges of the puff pastry.
- Apply Egg Wash and Bake: In a small bowl, beat the egg with water to make an egg wash. Brush the edges of each puff pastry square with the egg wash to help them brown beautifully. Bake the danishes on the prepared baking sheet for approximately 16 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and puffed.
- Make Orange Glaze: While the pastries bake, whisk together powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, orange juice (adding gradually if needed), and orange zest if using, in a medium bowl until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the danishes have cooled slightly, drizzle the orange glaze over the top. Serve warm or at room temperature for a delicious treat.
Notes
- You can use either vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste to add flavor to the cream cheese mixture.
- If your glaze is too thick, add orange juice a little at a time until you reach desired consistency.
- To prevent puff pastry from shrinking or becoming overly puffy in the center, scoring and poking holes helps maintain shape.
- These danishes are best enjoyed the same day but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese with a suitable vegan cream cheese alternative.
Keywords: cranberry sauce, cheese danish, puff pastry, cream cheese, leftover cranberry, orange glaze, holiday dessert, easy pastry
