This Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Wreath is sweet, tangy and perfectly delicious while it's still warm & soft!
Gosh - Christmas has come and gone in a blink and here we are the first week in January. I have to confess... I haven't quite let go of Christmas yet. My hubby is working nights, I'm watching Christmas movies leftover on my DVR and I'm indulging in this delicious Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Wreath for dessert.
Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Wreath
Yeah, yeah, I know... wishful thinking that I could hang on to the holidays for a little longer but a girl can try, right?
Anywho... while this recipe might seem a tiny bit Christmas-y, at least to me (being a "wreath" and all), let me assure you that it's perfect for any time of year - especially for dessert or even for breakfast or anytime really!
I had it for dessert the night I made it - and my kids ate the rest for breakfast the next morning... sort of like a cranberry pastry! {Update - my husband has declared that it is most definitely a breakfast recipe!}
Are you ready to get started? You'll find everything you need at Walmart and the Craisins® Dried Cranberries can be found in the dried fruit section... here's the list for ya:
For the wreath:
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup finely chopped Craisins® Dried Cranberries
- 2 tablespoons cherry or strawberry preserves
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
- non-stick cooking spray (not pictured)
For the glaze:
- 2 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 teaspoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Now you might notice that I have the Craisins® Fruit Clusters in the picture. Well, you won't need those for this recipe (I wasn't sure if I'd use them or not), but I'm thinking I'll add them to my yogurt for breakfast! I mean really... wouldn't that be delish? Craisins® would add a little zing to yogurt or any dish!
Now that you have everything you need, here's how to put it together (it's so, so easy)...
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and spraying a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. You don't need a pic of that, right? Because I took one of a sprayed cookie sheet, but then I laughed at myself 😉
Okay, after that, mix up your filling. It'll include the ½ cup chopped Craisins®, 4 oz. of cream cheese, and 2 Tbsp. of strawberry preserves. I just used a spoon to smoosh it all together. Yes - smoosh is a word!
Next, unroll the crescent roll dough and spread it out into one big rectangle. Use your fingers to press together any seams. I did this on a flexible cutting mat (you may want to give it a little spray of non-stick cooking spray too... mine stuck a tiny bit).
Then spread the cranberry-cream cheese mixture over the rectangle almost to the edges (leave about half an inch).
Then roll it all up (from the long side) and cut it into 12 equal sections. It's easiest if you cut it in half, then those halves in half, then those four pieces in thirds.
Did you follow all that? Next, take your 12 rolls and arrange them on the prepared cookie sheet - touching each other, with the "ring" side up, and in a circle (wreath).
Now bake it for around 16-18 minutes, or until golden brown. While it's baking - make your cream cheese glaze! Here's how:
Add the softened cream cheese (2 oz.), 1 cup of powdered sugar, 2 tsp. of milk and the vanilla to a bowl. Mix it together until it's very creamy!
Here's a tip for you - microwave your cream cheese for 10-20 seconds to get it really, really soft, and then it mixes very easily! You could also do this with a hand mixer instead of a whisk if you like!
When the wreath comes out of the oven, transfer it to a serving dish, or if you like, a sheet of parchment paper (my choice) then drizzle the glaze over it while it's still warm!
Garnish with a few extra Craisins® and WOW - you've got a delicious breakfast pastry ring or even an amazing dessert!
I'd really encourage you to enjoy this while warm, but my kids seriously had no complaints about having it for breakfast the next morning at room temp! It's amazingly delicious!!
Craisins® Dried Cranberries can bring a zing to so many recipes... tell me how you use them! Leave me a comment!
Here's the printable recipe for you:
PrintRecipe
Cranberry Cream Cheese Wreath
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the wreath
- 3 oz. cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup finely chopped sweetened dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons cherry or strawberry preserves
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
- non-stick cooking spray
For the glaze
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 teaspoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray.
- In small bowl, mix 3 oz. of cream cheese, cranberries and strawberry preserves.
- Unroll crescent roll dough and separate into 2 rectangles. Press each to form 8x6-inch rectangle, pressing perforations to seal.
- Spread cranberry-cream cheese mixture over 1 rectangle all the way to the edges. Place second rectangle on top; press lightly.
- With sharp knife, cut into six 8-inch-long strips. Twist each strip 3 times, and shape into ring on cookie sheet; pinch ends to seal.
- Bake at 350°F for 16-18 minutes or until golden brown. While it's baking, make the glaze!
- For the glaze, beat 2 oz. of cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth and of desired consistency. Drizzle over warm wreath.
- Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 18 mins
- Category: Breakfast
E Lynn
To make it perfect for Christmas morning, lay it out in the shape of a Christmas tree w/trunk... 1 at top, 2 in next row, 3 in next row, and 4 in the bottom row; adding the last two vertically as the trunk. After baking, glaze with the same glaze that has been tinted green. The "trunk" will already be a nice shade of brown but you can add a little glaze there too that's been tinted brown if you feel so inclined.
Rose Atwater
Great idea - thank you!
David @ Spiced
I think your husband had it right...what an awesome breakfast idea! Thanks for sharing, Rose! #client
Kim
Why are crescent rolls so fantastic?? I love this idea and know my family will love this! Thanks!
Rose Atwater
You're welcome and thank YOU!! I know right... I will eat anything that begins with crescent roll and/or cream cheese!! <3
Jamie C
This looks really yummy! Can I ask where you got the cute whisk?
Janice Mastin-Kamps
Could puff pastry be subbed for the crescent rolls?
Rose Atwater
It would be quite a different texture, but you might try it and see how you like it.
Betty Z
Why are the directions in the blog different from the ones in the recipe? Not a big deal for the prep, but the baking times aren’t the same. In the blog you say 16-18 min ( no oven temp specified), but the recipe says 9-12 min at 350C
Rose Atwater
Wow - I've never noticed that - it's corrected now!