Honey Orange Cranberry Cream Cheese Danish
These danish our incredibly easy and are the perfect treat to have on hand for company coming to stay over the Holidays. Puff pastry is topped with a honey orange cream cheese and spiced cranberry sauce, baked up until golden brown and then, drizzled with a sugary glaze and sprinkled with orange zest. Using store bought puff pastry make these danish come together in a snap. Look for an all butter version if you can find it. I used the Trader Joes brand. You can also use your favorite jam or leftover cranberry sauce from dinner for even more of a morning shortcut.
“My favorite part of these morning treats is the cream cheese filling. It is both sweet and tangy and adds a creamy cheesecake-like middle.”
The cranberry sauce used in this recipe is equally delicious with a turkey dinner or a decadent dessert. It is not overly sweet so you still taste the tartness of the cranberries. Orange juice, honey, brown sugar and a pinch of cinnamon rounds everything out. You will not use the whole amount from this recipe in the danishes but try it with your turkey or even warm over ice cream. If you would like you can half the recipe for just enough to spoon on top of your danishes.
My favorite part of these morning treats is the cream cheese filling. It is both sweet and tangy and adds a creamy cheesecake-like middle. Make sure not to over fill the danish with the cream cheese mixture. It will expand when baked and you want to make sure some of the pastry is exposed, so it gets nice a crispy. If you aren’t a fan of honey you can sub out white sugar for it in the cream cheese mixture. I like the slight floral notes you get from using honey but sugar will be equally delicious.
Honey Orange Cranberry Cream Cheese Danish
Cranberry Sauce
6 ounces fresh cranberries
1/2 cup orange juice; fresh squeezed preferred
1/4 cup pack brown sugar
2 tablespoons clover honey
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
a pinch of salt
Cream Cheese Danish
1 sheet store bought puff pastry; defrosted
8 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup clover honey
1 teaspoon orange zest
1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
pinch of salt
egg wash (1 whole egg plus 1 tablespoon of water)
*sugar glaze and powdered sugar for sprinkling
Cranberry Sauce:
In a small sauce pan, mix together all ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until the cranberries burst and the sauce has slightly thickened (about 5 minutes). The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
Remove from the heat and let cool. Then add to a bowl and store covered in the refridgetrator until you are ready to use it.
Cream Cheese Danish:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
In a medium bowl, mix together softened cream, honey, orange zest, vanilla bean paste, and salt until fully combine and set aside.
Using a sharp knife or rotary cutter, cut the sheet of puff pastry into 8-12 pieces. 8 for larger danish and 12 for mini size danish (I did 12 for these photos)
Place the puff pastry squares on the cookie sheets. Gently tuck the corners in. Place a tablespoon of cream cheese into the middle of the pastry. Then, make an indention for the sauce. Spoon a teaspoon of the cranberry sauce into the indention.
Brush the pastry with egg wash. Than place in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
Let cool, drizzle with sugar glaze (recipe below) and sprinkle with orange zest.
sugar drizzle: mix together 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of water until smooth. The amount of water needed my vary. You want a drizzle that pours easily of the spoon but still holds it shape when drizzled.
