This cranberry sauce cheese danish recipe is the perfect way to use your leftover cranberry sauce from your Thanksgiving dinner this year. This recipe has a sheet of puff pastry, cream cheese, and your favorite cranberry sauce on top. Add a drizzle of vanilla glaze to bring to altogether and make the best breakfast or brunch pastry.
Since you are here I know you will also love these delicious recipes, leftover turkey quesadilla, sweet potato pie, cranberry muffins, and even this cranberry bread.
I had some extra leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving dinner that I didn’t want to throw out so I knew I needed to find a way to really doctor it up so my guests didn’t think I’m reserving them yesterday’s dinner so this happened.
I figured it would be the perfect pastry for the day after Thanksgiving before we hit the stores and do some black Friday shopping. Let me tell you! It was a game-changer.
This is the best leftover cranberry sauce recipe ever!
Since I knew everyone will be tired after all the work that gets put in on Thanksgiving I opted for using store-bought puff pastry for the base of this dessert. Plus it is a great way to really level up your Brunch because Pull pastry is one of the fanciest things haha!
Plus you can make little pastries or larger ones depending on what you prefer or how many people you have to feed that day. I have made this for holiday parties as well as for Christmas day breakfast and I can’t tell you how many people had seconds!
Why you need to make this cranberry cheese danish recipe!
- This is a great recipe to use your leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving dinner and just the holiday season in general.
- You can make this for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert with a vanilla ice cream scoop on top.
- It has the perfect balance between the tartness of the cranberries and the sweet creaminess of the cream cheese.
Ingredients for these cranberry cream cheese pastries
Here are the ingredients you will need to make these cranberry cheese danishes. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed ingredient measurements.
- Puff pastry dough- Use store-bought puff pastry dough. Slice it with a shark knife or pizza cutter.
- Cream cheese- Use your favorite cream cheese brand, just make sure it is at room temperature so you can cream it easily.
- Granulated sugar
- Egg- The egg or the egg yolk is used to brush the outside of the pastry and allow it to become golden brown when baked.
- Cranberry sauce- I use my own homemade cranberry sauce which is made using whole cranberries but you can use storebought as well as long as it is high quality.
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- Lemon or orange juice and zest
How to make cranberry cheese danishes
This is how you can make this recipe. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed instructions!
cream cheese filling
- In a medium bowl, cream the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla together on low speed until smooth.
- On a parchment paper lined baking sheet slice the sheet of puff pastry into 8 rectangles.
- Score the puff pastry with a sharp knife leaving about ¼ inch borders.
- Scoop a generous amount of cream cheese mixture in the center, and spread it inside the scored rectangle.
- Top the cream cheese with the homemade cranberry filling or sauce.
- Brush the edges with the egg wash and bake in the preheated oven.
Lemon/orange glaze
- Make the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar lemon juice or orange juice, and lemon or orange zest together in a small bowl.
- Drizzle over your cheese danishes and enjoy your delicious flaky puff pastry dessert.
Now you have yourself something completely brand new with last night’s leftovers!
Frequently asked questions – FAQ
How to store these cranberry cheese danishes?
To store your cranberry cheese danish, place them in an airtight container and place them in the fridge. Whenever you’re ready you can microwave your puff pastry cheese danish or pop it in the oven at 350 for a few minutes and enjoy.
Can I freeze puff pastry cheese danishes?
Yes, you can! You can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Once ready to serve thaw them in the fridge overnight and reheat them on a parchment-lined prepared baking sheet in a 350F preheated oven for a few minutes.
Leftover cranberry sauce cheese danish recipe
Leftover cranberry sauce cheese danish
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 3 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup leftover cranberry sauce
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
Vanilla icing
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ tablespoon orange juice add ¼ teaspoon at a time if you need to thin out the glaze.
- ½ teaspoon orange zest if you want a stronger orange flavor.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F, and line your baking sheet with parchement paper then set aside.
- Slice the puff pastry sheet into 8 equal rectangles. Score the puff pastry with a sharp knife leaving about ¼ inch borders.. Poke the center of the puff pastry squares with a fork to make sure that that area doesn't puff up. Set aside, preferably somewhere cool.1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough
- In a large bowl, mix the softened cream cheese with the sugar and vanilla extract. Scoop out 1-2 heaping tablespoons of cream cheese mixture, and place it in the center of the puff pastry squares. Gently spread it, making sure to stay clear from the edges.8 oz cream cheese softened, 3 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Top add 1-2 tablespoons of cranberry sauce on top of the cream cheese mixture. Gently spread, avoiding the puff pastry edge.1 cup leftover cranberry sauce
- In a small bowl, beat the egg with the water and brush the edges of the pastry with the egg wash. Bake for 16 minutes.1 egg, 1 tablespoon water
Make the orange glaze
- in a medium bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla. Drizzle on top of the cheese danishes and serve.½ cup powdered sugar, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ tablespoon orange juice, ½ teaspoon orange zest
Nutrition
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jo
I love having recipes for using up leftovers! And I appreciate that you include the ingredient amounts within the recipe–it really reduces scrolling. I wish I had known that I needed to cool the pastry before drizzling the icing, as it melted on the warm pastries. They were still pretty and delicious–thank you!
Chahinez
Glad you liked it!
Shelly Sepe
Do you think I could use ricotta cheese with this recipe? Thank you
Chahinez
I think that could definitely work!
Dorothea Fabrizius
I followed your recipe and theses turned out amazing. Everyone loved them and they are very impressive looking.
Chahinez
I’m so glad to hear that the cranberry sauce cheese danish turned out amazing and was a hit with everyone! It’s always satisfying when a recipe turns out just right.
Rd
Store bought cranberry sauce would be ok ?? Or could I use like a raspberry jam/ jelly ?? I was Going to make these for a family Christmas party in a few days!
Chahinez
Both would be fine! If using the canned cranberries make sure to mix it well so it isn’t a gelatinous blob!
Susan
I made four of these for an after dinner snack last night. They were so good my husband and I ate them all and was wishing for more. Thanks for the great recipe to use up my leftover homemade cranberry sauce.
Chahinez
So glad that you found this recipe useful Susan!!