If you’ve been wondering what to do with that leftover cranberry sauce from your holiday feast, look no further than this irresistible Cranberry Cheese Danish. This deliciously flaky and creamy treat combines buttery puff pastry with a tangy-sweet cream cheese filling, topped generously with vibrant cranberry sauce. It’s the kind of pastry that feels like it came from a high-end bakery—but is surprisingly easy to whip up at home.
Whether you’re planning a holiday brunch, need a Christmas morning breakfast idea, or simply want a show-stopping dessert that makes use of seasonal ingredients, this danish recipe is for you. It’s also perfect if you’re a fan of using what you already have in your fridge, making it both cost-effective and waste-conscious.
So, if you’ve been searching for what to make with cranberry sauce or desserts using cranberry sauce, this easy recipe is your golden answer.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Cheese Danish Recipe
There’s something magical about recipes that are both visually stunning and incredibly simple. This cranberry cheese danish checks all the boxes. Not only does it come together in just over 30 minutes, but the combination of flavors also captures everything we love about the season—creamy, tart, sweet, and rich.
Additionally, you’ll love how adaptable this danish is. From the crisp puff pastry to the smooth, sweetened cream cheese layer, each component can be tweaked slightly to suit your taste. Plus, it’s a great way to reuse cranberry sauce—so you’re saving time and reducing food waste at once.
Many readers also pair this Cranberry Cheese Danish with warm seasonal drinks. For example, it tastes phenomenal next to a cozy Peanut Butter Hojicha Latte or a mug of Raspberry White Hot Chocolate.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Cranberry Cheese Danish
To make this Cranberry Cheese Danish recipe, you only need a handful of accessible ingredients—many of which are probably already in your kitchen.
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough – thawed but still cold
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
- 1 cup leftover cranberry sauce – homemade or canned
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp water (for egg wash)
For the Orange Vanilla Icing:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tbsp orange juice – adjust to desired consistency
- 1/2 tsp orange zest – optional but highly recommended
If you’re looking for variations, you can easily swap in other fruit toppings like raspberry preserves or apple butter, but we’ll get to that later.
Essential Kitchen Equipment
To ensure everything bakes perfectly and your Cranberry Cheese Danish turns out as flaky and golden as possible, have these items on hand:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Sharp knife or pastry cutter
- Mixing bowls
- Electric hand mixer (or whisk)
- Pastry brush
These tools make the process smooth, especially when you’re aiming for evenly cooked, bakery-style results.
How to Make Cranberry Cheese Danish Step by Step
Let’s break it down so you can feel confident and capable at every step—even if you’ve never made pastry before.
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2: Cut the Pastry
On a lightly floured surface, cut the puff pastry sheet into 8 equal rectangles. Score a smaller rectangle about 1/4 inch from the edges to create a border. Use a fork to poke holes in the center of each piece to prevent it from puffing too much while baking.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Scoop 1–2 tablespoons of this mixture into the center of each pastry square and gently spread it, leaving the border untouched.
Step 4: Add the Cranberry Sauce
Top the cream cheese with 1–2 tablespoons of leftover cranberry sauce. Spread gently to layer, again being careful not to push into the edges.
Step 5: Egg Wash
In a small bowl, beat the egg with the water to make an egg wash. Brush this along the outer edges of each danish—this will give the pastry a beautiful golden finish.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown. Be sure to keep an eye on them, as all ovens vary slightly.
Step 7: Prepare the Glaze
While the danishes cool slightly, make the orange vanilla icing by whisking powdered sugar, orange juice, vanilla extract, and orange zest until smooth. Drizzle over the danishes while they’re still warm but not hot.
Tips for the Perfect Cranberry Cheese Danish
For best results, keep your puff pastry chilled right up until it goes into the oven. If it gets too warm, it may become difficult to handle and won’t puff properly. Additionally, don’t skip the egg wash—it creates that glossy, golden crust we all love.
Try not to overload the danish with too much filling, as tempting as it is. This can make them soggy or cause the filling to leak out during baking. Instead, balance is key. Lastly, let them cool slightly before adding the glaze—otherwise it will melt off instead of drizzling beautifully.
Creative Ways to Use Leftover Cranberry Sauce
If you’re left with extra cranberry sauce during the holidays, this danish is just the beginning of what you can create. Beyond spreading it on toast or turkey sandwiches, why not try a Cranberry Brie Tart or even Chocolate-Covered Cranberry Sauce Treats?
You can also mix it into pancake batter, use it in layered parfaits, or swirl it into cheesecake bars. The sweet-tart flavor of cranberry adds depth to so many desserts.
Flavor Variations to Try
Although this Cranberry Cheese Danish is a stunner all on its own, it also invites a lot of creativity. For a citrusy twist, try adding lemon or orange zest directly into the cream cheese filling. You could even sprinkle chopped toasted almonds on top before baking for an added crunch.
Want a fall-inspired variation? Swap the cranberry sauce with apple compote or pumpkin butter and dust with cinnamon after baking. Or, use apricot preserves and pair with goat cheese instead of cream cheese for a savory-sweet combo.
For a breakfast-style version, consider adding a drizzle of maple syrup or pairing it with Loaded Breakfast Sweet Potatoes for a cozy morning plate.
Print
Best Ever Cranberry Cheese Danish with Puff Pastry Magic
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 8 danishes 1x
Description
This Cranberry Cheese Danish is a flaky, creamy, bakery-style pastry made with buttery puff pastry, a sweet cream cheese layer, and a generous topping of leftover cranberry sauce. Perfect for holiday breakfasts, brunches, and cozy seasonal desserts.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough – thawed but still cold
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
- 1 cup leftover cranberry sauce – homemade or canned
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp water (for egg wash)
Orange Vanilla Icing:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tbsp orange juice – adjust as needed
- 1/2 tsp orange zest (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the Pastry: Slice puff pastry into 8 rectangles. Score a smaller rectangle inside each and poke holes to prevent over-puffing.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling: Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Add 1–2 tablespoons to each pastry, keeping borders clean.
- Add Cranberry Sauce: Spoon 1–2 tablespoons of cranberry sauce over the cream cheese layer.
- Egg Wash: Whisk egg with water and brush edges of pastry.
- Bake: Bake 16–18 minutes until golden and puffed.
- Add Icing: Whisk powdered sugar, orange juice, vanilla, and zest. Drizzle over warm (not hot) danishes.
Notes
- Keep puff pastry cold for maximum flakiness.
- Avoid overfilling to prevent leaking and sogginess.
- Add lemon or orange zest to the filling for extra brightness.
- Try variations like apple butter, raspberry preserves, or pumpkin butter.
- Let danishes cool slightly before adding glaze so it sets properly.
- Cook Time: 16–18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
