Raspberry Cream Cheese Crescent Ring – Easy, Flaky & Delicious Dessert
Velvety Raspberry Cream Cheese Pastry Ring
This dazzling pastry ring boasts a flaky, golden crust filled with a luxuriously creamy cheesecake layer and accented by a tangy pop of raspberry. It’s an enticing treat for brunch, breakfast, or even a delightful dessert!
Why You’ll Adore This Recipe
- Showstopping Appearance: The radiant colors and ring shape make it a centerpiece on any table.
- Quick & Simple: Using pre-made crescent roll dough, this recipe is quick enough for a spontaneous brunch yet refined enough to impress.
- Versatile Brunch Addition: Serve it with other favorites like sausage balls or mini quiches for a complete meal.
Pastry Perfection: A Nostalgic Twist
I’ve always been enchanted by pastries that combine the creaminess of cheesecake with fruity bursts of flavor. This pastry ring draws inspiration from childhood favorites and elevates them with a modern twist—right in your own kitchen!
Ingredients Needed
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 (8-ounce) tubes refrigerated crescent rolls
- 1 (21-ounce) can raspberry pie filling
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
How to Create Your Pastry Ring
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Preheat and Prep:
Heat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Mix the Luscious Filling:
In a large bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, egg, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until the mixture is silky-smooth.
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Arrange the Dough:
Lay out the crescent roll triangles on your baking sheet with the thick ends overlapping. Curve them around to form a large, inviting ring with an open center.
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Layer the Delights:
Spread the cream cheese blend generously over the overlapping portion, then evenly dollop the raspberry filling atop.
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Fold and Tuck:
Gently fold each triangle’s tip over the filling and tuck it securely beneath the adjacent dough edge. This subtle modification helps the dough bake uniformly.
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Bake to Golden Perfection:
Bake for 23-26 minutes until the pastry achieves a delightful golden hue. Check that the bottom is fully cooked; if not, loosely cover with foil to prevent burning while finishing.
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Glaze and Enjoy:
Allow the pastry ring to cool slightly for about 5-10 minutes. In the meantime, whisk together powdered sugar and milk until you get a smooth, slightly runny glaze. Drizzle over the ring, slice, and serve warm.
Special Tips & Variations
- Quick Softening: If short on time, microwave the cream cheese for 15-20 seconds only—but avoid over-softening to keep the filling thick and creamy.
- Customize Your Filling: Adjust the filling amounts if you prefer a less gooey pastry. Halving the cream cheese and pie filling ingredients can offer a neater aesthetic.
- Danish Inspired: For an almond twist, stir in ½ teaspoon of almond extract into the cream cheese mixture and sprinkle toasted slivered almonds over the top before glazing.
- Flavor Swap: Don’t limit yourself to raspberry! Experiment with strawberry, blueberry, cherry, or even lemon pie filling to create a new flavor profile.
Leftover Storage
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
- Best When Fresh: For optimum texture, it’s best not to prepare this pastry too far in advance as chilled dough may not bake as well.
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