Cranberry Cheese Pastry

Cranberry Cheese Pastry is a delicious holiday dessert filled with fresh cranberries, cheese filling all stuffed in crescent rolls made into a pastry ring, baked and then drizzled with glaze. The perfect holiday dessert recipe.

Thanksgiving is almost here and it’s time to start thinking about holiday recipes. Whether you cook the entire spread or just bring an item or two to a potluck get-together, it’s never too early to start thinking about what you’re going to bring. After all food is almost as big a part of the holidays as family and friends are.

I’ve made all kinds of different dishes to bring to holiday get-togethers, but one of my favorites is this cranberry cheese pastry. It’s a delicious treat that’s welcome at any holiday table, and it’s so easy to make, you can also serve it up for a delicious weeknight dessert or afternoon snack!

Cranberry Cream Cheese Pastry Ring

This delicious dessert is easy to make and so much fun to make and serve. A delicious filling of sweetened cranberries is paired with a sweet cream cheese filling and then wrapped up in flaky crescent roll dough to create a dessert or appetizer that everyone loves. Every bite of this tasty crescent ring is loaded with a shot of sweetness and tartness that works so well together, and being paired with buttery, flaky crescent roll dough really seals the deal. It’s just so, so good. And it doesn’t hurt that’s it’s so simple, either!

The Perfect Holiday Dessert

If you haven’t guessed by now, I consider this to be just about the most perfect holiday dessert that you can make. There’s a reason for that. It checks all the boxes, and I do mean all of them. It’s easy to make, so you’re not stuck in the kitchen for hours. It’s also full of the classic holiday flavors of cranberry and cream cheese, both of which are found in many different holiday recipes. Everyone loves it, as well. I have never seen anyone turn away from this recipe. I’d say that’s pretty perfect, wouldn’t you? 

FAQ

If you’re already thinking this is the recipe for you, then be sure to read this handy dandy FAQ. It answers all the most common questions regarding this cranberry cream cheese pastry. 

How Do I Keep the Filling From Oozing Out of the Crescent Ring?

The best way to keep most of the filling in the ring – keeping it completely ooze-free is impossible – is to be sure you layer the crescent roll dough properly. Be sure to layer your dough in such a way that the entire bottom is a layer of dough. The top will have holes, but you won’t need to worry about that, as this filling is thick enough to stay mostly in the ring. 

Can I Use Frozen Cranberries for the Filling? 

Absolutely. Frozen cranberries are one of the few fruits that cook up just as well as their fresh counterparts. 

Can I Use Cranberry Sauce Instead of Fresh?

While I recommend sticking with this recipe as the whole cranberries make for a thicker sauce inside the ring, you can try it. It might work, but be prepared for a bit more of the filling to come out of the ring. Then again, experimentation is one of the fun parts of cooking, isn’t it?

How Do I Shape the Dough Into a Ring? 

It might look complicated at first, but it’s actually very easy. Simply place the crescent roll triangles with the wide side at the center of the ring. Then, lap the wide ends of the dough over one another as you form a ring. The overlapping dough will make a solid bottom, and the narrow end will create that lattice look at the top of the crescent ring. 

Does this Pastry Ring Need to Be Refrigerated?

Because it uses cream cheese as part of the filling you will have to refrigerate this crescent ring. 

Other Filling Ideas

The great thing about crescent rings is that they are so open to interpretation. There are all kinds of things that you can fill your crescent ring with. Some of my favorites are:

• Cream cheese mixture
• Blueberry filling
• Raspberry filling
• Apple filling
• Cherry filling
• Peach filling
• Lemon filling
• Figs

Of course, because we’re talking about a dessert crescent ring, I’m focusing on dessert filling ideas. 

Ingredients

This recipe has three distinct components – the cream cheese filling, the cranberry filling, and the glaze drizzle. Don’t worry, all three of these parts have simple ingredients. In fact, you probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen already!

For the Crescent Ring

• Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

For the Cream Cheese Filling

• Cream cheese, room temperature
• Sugar
• Egg yolk
• Lemon juice
• Vanilla extract

For the Cranberry Filling

• Fresh cranberries
• Sugar
• Orange juice
• Zest from one orange
• Water, divided
• Cornstarch

For the Glaze Drizzle

Cranberry Cheese Pastry Instructions

It doesn’t take much to make this delicious crescent ring. You’ll need to do some basic cooking and that’s about it. There are no special steps or odd methods here. It’s an easy recipe that even beginners can do!

Step 1: Prep

Set your cream cheese on the counter to warm up to room temperature and start preheating the oven to 375 degrees. In the meantime, get out all your supplies and ingredients and measure everything out. 

Step 2: Prepare the Cranberry Filling

In a small saucepan, over low heat, add cranberries, sugar, 3 tablespoons water, orange juice, and orange zest together. Bring to a boil and cook until cranberries have burst, approximately 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly. In a small bowl, mix remaining water and cornstarch until combined then add to the cranberry mixture. Continue stirring until the cranberry mixture has thickened. Set aside to cool.

Step 3: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, lemon juice and beat for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 4: Make the Pastry Ring

Unroll crescent rolls and separate them into pre-cut triangles. Place triangles on an ungreased baking sheet so that the wider end of the crescent is in the center forming the circle with about a 5 inch opening in the center and the smaller tip of the crescent is on the outside. When forming the circle, the wider ends of the crescents will overlap each other. Spread cream cheese mixture over the wide part of the crescents. Spoon cranberry mixture filling on top of cream cheese mixture. Fold the small tip of the crescent over and tuck under the wider part to secure forming the ring.

Step 5: Bake

Bake the crescent ring for about 22-24 minutes. Remove it from the oven and let it cool while you make the glaze. 

Step 6: The Finishing Touches

Using a one-cup measuring cup, pour powdered sugar and milk together and stir until combined (might need more milk/sugar as desired). Drizzle glaze over pastry ring, once cooled, and cut into desired portions. Enjoy!

Try This Delicious Cranberry Cheese Pastry Today

This is the perfect time of year to enjoy this festive dessert recipe that is definitely a crowd pleaser and will be the star dessert on the dessert table this holiday season.

Other Quick Dessert Recipes You’ll Love!

Raspberry Cream Cheese Pastry – This cream cheese pastry is made with fresh raspberries and has a cream cheese filling, all stuffed in crescents, then baked to a golden brown and drizzled with glaze. Absolutely delicious!

Apple Pie Raviolis – These little apple pie raviolis are small but packed with a punch. Tasting just as good as your grandma’s apple pie, these fall treats will have you feeling warm on the inside with your favorite autumn spices.

Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Crescent Ring – This is another perfect fall recipe everyone will enjoy. Loaded with chunks of apples and a cheesecake-like filling, stuffed into a crescent ring, and baked to a golden brown. Delicious!

Try this Peach Cream Cheese Danish from Deliciously Seasoned – This Danish is full of everything we love about these delicious pastry treats. Fresh peaches and a sweet, cream cheese mixture are wrapped up in a flaky puff pastry braid that’s perfect with your morning coffee.

Here are a few pics that are the perfect size for pinning to Pinterest.

Enjoy, Terri

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