Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Wreath

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions and complete adoration for this recipe are mine alone.  This Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Wreath is sweet, tangy and perfectly delicious while it’s still warm & soft!  #BetterWithCraisins #CollectiveBias

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.

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 personally 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
• 1/3 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 1/2 cup chopped Craisins®, 4 oz. of cream cheese, and 2 Tbsp. of strawberry preserves.  I just used a spoon to smoosh it altogether.   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 cranberry-cream cheese mixture over the rectangle all most all the way 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:

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