Cranberry Cheese Danishes

makes 4

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 1 large egg, separated
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed and refrigerated
• 4 teaspoons cranberry sauce
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

for the glaze 

• 1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
• 2 teaspoons grated orange zest
• 1-2 tablespoons orange juice

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 400°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese and 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar. Beat in the egg yolk, vanilla, and salt.

Place the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll out to form a 10-inch square; cut into 4 equal squares and place on the prepared baking sheet. Dollop the cream cheese mixture evenly in the center of each square; top with 1 teaspoon cranberry sauce. In a small bowl, beat the egg white with a fork, then lightly brush some of it onto the pastry. Lift 2 opposite corners of each pastry and cross over the center, overlapping slightly; pinch to seal. Brush the tops with more egg white and sprinkle with the almonds. Bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Let cool completely.

In a small bowl, stir the remaining 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, orange zest and orange juice with a fork until smooth; drizzle over the cooled pastries.