Imagine whipping up some cream cheese danishes that scream holiday cheer right in your own kitchen! Start with crescent dough, add a layer of cream cheese, and top it off with a generous helping of strawberry jam. Bake it all under a luscious buttery glaze and finish with sparkling sugared cranberries for that extra festive touch.
Ingredients:
- 1 roll refrigerated crescent rolls
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 egg mixed with 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash)
- 1/2 cup strawberry jam or your favorite seasonal fruit spread
For the Vanilla Butter Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon warm melted salted butter
- 1 tablespoon warm water
- 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Sugared Cranberries:
- 3 cups fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
Instructions:
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Sugared Cranberries: Start by boiling 1/2 cup water with 1/2 cup sugar until the sugar dissolves. Add the cranberries, stir to coat, then spread them on a parchment-lined tray to cool. Once sticky, toss them in the remaining sugar.
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Danishes: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Roll out the crescent dough into a rectangle slightly larger than its original size, pressing the seams together. Mix the cream cheese with sugar until smooth and spread over the dough. Cut into four strips, fold each in half, twist, and then coil into spirals. Place on a baking sheet, brush with egg wash, and top each with a dollop of jam. Bake for 10 minutes, then increase the oven temperature to 400°F and bake for another 3-5 minutes until golden.
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Finish: Let the danishes cool slightly, then whisk together the glaze ingredients. Drizzle over the danishes and top with sugared cranberries.
Enjoy these warm for a truly comforting treat, where the creamy cheese, sweet jam, and tart cranberries come together in a delightful harmony.
