Leftover Cranberry Sauce Cheese Danish Recipe
This Leftover Cranberry Sauce Cheese Danish recipe transforms simple ingredients into a delightful, flaky pastry perfect for breakfast or dessert. Using frozen puff pastry, cream cheese, and tangy cranberry sauce, these danishes are topped with a zesty orange glaze that adds a fresh twist. Easy to prepare and perfect for using up holiday leftovers, this pastry combines creamy, sweet, and tart flavors with a crisp, buttery crust.
- 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
Puff Pastry
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
Cranberry Sauce Topping
- 1 cup leftover cranberry sauce
Egg Wash
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp water
Orange Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tbsp orange juice (add more 1/4 tsp at a time if needed to thin out)
- 1/2 tsp orange zest (optional for stronger orange flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare the Puff Pastry: Slice the thawed puff pastry sheet into 8 equal rectangles. Use a sharp knife to score each rectangle, leaving about a 1/4 inch border. Prick the center area of each rectangle with a fork to stop that section from puffing up too much during baking. Set the prepared pastry aside in a cool place.
- Make the 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 this mixture onto the center of each puff pastry rectangle, spreading gently but keeping it inside the scored border.
- Add the Cranberry Sauce: Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of leftover cranberry sauce over the cream cheese mixture on each pastry square, spreading carefully to avoid the edges.
- Apply Egg Wash and Bake: Beat the egg with water to create an egg wash. Brush the edges of each puff pastry rectangle with the egg wash to help them brown nicely. Place the tray in the oven and bake for 16 minutes or until the pastry is golden and puffed.
- Prepare the Orange Glaze: While the danishes bake, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract, orange juice, and orange zest in a medium bowl. Adjust consistency by adding more orange juice a little at a time if needed to thin out the glaze.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the danishes have cooled slightly, drizzle the orange glaze over the top. Serve warm or at room temperature for a deliciously sweet and tangy treat.
Notes
- Make sure the puff pastry is thoroughly thawed before slicing to prevent cracking.
- Scoring the border and poking the center with a fork ensures the filling area stays flat while the edges puff up.
- Use leftover homemade or store-bought cranberry sauce for convenience.
- The orange glaze adds a fresh citrus flavor but can be omitted if preferred.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cream cheese mixture.
- These danishes are best enjoyed the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Keywords: leftover cranberry sauce, cheese danish, puff pastry dessert, holiday leftovers recipe, easy danish pastry, cream cheese danish
