Cherry-Cheese Coffee Cake
A delightful cherry-cheese coffee cake featuring flaky crescent dough, creamy cheese filling, and vibrant cherry pie topping. Perfect for brunch or dessert, it combines sweet, tangy, and buttery flavors with a beautiful spiral design that impresses family and guests alike.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla or almond extract together until smooth.
- Remove the crescent rolls from their cans.
- Save 4 pieces of dough and arrange the remaining 12 pieces on a 15-inch baking stone with the long points in the center.
- Let the pieces hang over the edge of the baking stone.
- Push the dough together to cover the stone, leaving the center open.
- Fold up the center tips of the dough to leave a hole in the middle.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the dough.
- Top with cherry pie filling.
- Press perforations on the saved dough and cut each piece lengthwise into 8 strips.
- Twist each strip and lay them over the filling like spokes on a wheel.
- Fold the outer edge dough over the spokes and fold the tips of the dough in the center.
- Brush the dough with beaten egg white.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using mascarpone cheese instead of cream cheese. You can also try adding a pinch of almond extract for extra depth. If you don't have cherry pie filling, any fruit filling like blueberry or peach works well too. Ensure the crescent roll dough is cold for easier handling, and avoid overmixing the cream cheese mixture to maintain its fluffy texture.
Serving Suggestions
This Cherry-Cheese Coffee Cake is perfect for brunch or as a delightful dessert. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or alongside a cup of coffee for a cozy treat. It pairs beautifully with a fresh fruit salad or a side of whipped cream for added indulgence. For an extra special touch, sprinkle some powdered sugar on top before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover coffee cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place individual slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds until warmed through. Alternatively, you can heat it in a toaster oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes, which helps maintain the pastry's crispiness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cherry-Cheese Coffee Cake contains roughly 200 calories, with 2g protein, 38g carbohydrates, and 2g fat.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the cream cheese mixture and assemble the cake a few hours in advance. Just cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you're ready to bake. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making it even more delicious.
What can I substitute for crescent rolls?
If you don't have crescent rolls on hand, you can use puff pastry or even homemade biscuit dough. Both options will yield a deliciously flaky crust, though baking times may vary slightly, so keep an eye on it as it bakes.
How do I prevent the filling from spilling out while baking?
To prevent the cherry filling from spilling, ensure that the dough is well sealed around the edges. You can also slightly reduce the amount of filling or drain excess liquid from the pie filling before spreading it over the cream cheese mixture.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).