Cranberry Orange Croissants have a special place in my kitchen, especially during the cooler months. They’re perfect for a cozy weekend breakfast, a lovely addition to a brunch spread, or even a sweet treat with your afternoon tea.
The combination of tart cranberries, bright orange zest, and flaky, buttery pastry is simply irresistible.
Recipe Overview: Cranberry Orange Croissant
These delightful pastries are essentially a flavor explosion wrapped in a golden, flaky croissant. Imagine the buttery layers giving way to a sweet and tangy filling of cranberries and orange.
They are the perfect balance of sweet and tart, and the texture is just AMAZING.
These croissants are fantastic served warm, fresh out of the oven.
You can also enjoy them at room temperature. They pair wonderfully with a cup of coffee, tea, or even a glass of chilled milk.
Detailed Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Croissant
Here’s what you’ll need to make these wonderful treats:
- Croissants: 6 large, store-bought croissants. You want them to be good quality, but day-old ones work perfectly fine and are often available at a discount!
- Dried Cranberries: 1 cup. These add a wonderful chewy texture and tartness. If you only have fresh cranberries, you can use them, but you might want to cook them down slightly with a little sugar first.
- Orange: 1 large. We’ll use both the zest and the juice for maximum orange flavor. Make sure to wash it well before zesting.
- Granulated Sugar: 1/2 cup. This adds the perfect amount of sweetness to balance the tart cranberries.
- Cream Cheese: 4 ounces, softened. This creates a creamy, delicious base for our filling. Make sure it’s at room temperature so it mixes easily. You could use a plant-based cream cheese as a substitute.
- Butter: 2 tablespoons, melted. This will be brushed on top for extra richness and a beautiful golden color.
- Powdered Sugar: (Optional) For dusting on top after baking.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Baking Your Croissants
Let’s get baking! Here’s how to make these delicious pastries, step by step:
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Make the Filling: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add the Orange and Cranberries: Zest the orange directly into the cream cheese mixture. Then, juice the orange and add 2 tablespoons of the juice to the bowl. Stir in the dried cranberries. Make sure everything is well combined.
- Slice the Croissants: Carefully slice each croissant horizontally, almost all the way through, like you’re making a sandwich. You want to create a pocket for the filling, but you don’t want to completely separate the top and bottom.
- Fill the Croissants: Gently open each croissant and spoon a generous amount of the cranberry-orange filling inside. Don’t overfill them, or the filling might spill out during baking.
- Arrange and Brush: Place the filled croissants on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops of each croissant with melted butter.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the croissants are golden brown and the filling is heated through. Keep a close eye on them – they can go from perfectly golden to over-browned quickly!
- Cool and Dust (Optional): Let the croissants cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. If desired, dust with powdered sugar just before serving.
Variations & Tips for the Best Cranberry Orange Croissant
- Add Some Nuts: For extra crunch and flavor, try adding some chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the croissants ahead of time, cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate them overnight. Then, just bake them as directed in the morning.
- Storage: Store leftover croissants in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, warm them in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave them for a few seconds, but they’ll be softer.
- Serving: These are great on their own, or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Key Details
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 12-15 minutes
- Total time: 27-30 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Equipment you’ll need: Baking sheet, parchment paper, mixing bowl, mixing spoon or spatula, zester, juicer, pastry brush.
Cranberry Orange Croissant
Ingredients
- 6 large store-bought croissants
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 large orange zest and juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- Powdered sugar optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Zest the orange directly into the cream cheese mixture. Then, juice the orange and add 2 tablespoons of the juice to the bowl. Stir in the dried cranberries. Make sure everything is well combined.
- Carefully slice each croissant horizontally, almost all the way through, like you're making a sandwich. You want to create a pocket for the filling, but you don't want to completely separate the top and bottom.
- Gently open each croissant and spoon a generous amount of the cranberry-orange filling inside.
- Place the filled croissants on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops of each croissant with melted butter.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the croissants are golden brown and the filling is heated through.
- Let the croissants cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. If desired, dust with powdered sugar just before serving.