Leftover Cranberry Sauce Cheese Danish Recipe
This delightful Leftover Cranberry Sauce Cheese Danish is a perfect way to transform your holiday leftovers into an elegant and delicious pastry. Featuring flaky puff pastry filled with creamy sweetened cream cheese and tangy cranberry sauce, topped with a zesty orange glaze, this recipe is ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a festive dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Total Time: 31 minutes
- Yield: 8 cheese danishes 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
- 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 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 and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Slice the frozen puff pastry sheet into 8 equal rectangles. Using a sharp knife, score the border of each rectangle by cutting about 1/4 inch inside the edges without cutting all the way through. Prick the center of each square with a fork to prevent it from puffing up excessively. 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 and creamy.
- Assemble the Danish: Spoon 1 to 2 heaping tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each puff pastry rectangle, spreading gently while keeping clear of the edges. Then add 1 to 2 tablespoons of leftover cranberry sauce on top of the cream cheese, again avoiding the edges.
- Apply Egg Wash and Bake: In a small bowl, beat the egg with water to create an egg wash. Brush the edges of each pastry square with the egg wash to help with browning. Bake on the prepared sheet for 16 minutes or until golden and puffed.
- Prepare the Orange Glaze: While the danishes bake, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, orange zest (if using), and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Adjust the consistency by adding orange juice 1/4 teaspoon at a time if needed to thin out the glaze.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the danishes are baked and slightly cooled, drizzle the orange glaze over the top. Serve warm or at room temperature for a delicious treat.
Notes
- Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Do not overfill the puff pastry to avoid leaks during baking.
- Cooling the puff pastry after scoring helps maintain the shape during baking.
- For a stronger orange flavor in the glaze, add more zest but be careful to not overpower the sweetness.
- Leftover cranberry sauce can be homemade or store-bought for convenience.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Keywords: cranberry sauce, cheese danish, puff pastry, leftover recipe, breakfast pastry, holiday leftovers
