Raspberry Breakfast Braid

Table of Contents

1. Raspberry Breakfast Braid Ingredients
2. Substitutions and Additions
3. How to Make Raspberry Breakfast Braid
4. How to Serve Raspberry Breakfast Braid
5. Storage
6. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
7. MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
8. JUMP TO RECIPE

Raspberry breakfast braid is an indulgent breakfast treat that is perfect for a special breakfast, brunch, or a relaxing weekend at home. Tilled with sweet raspberry and cream stuffed inside a flaky crust and topped with a sweet glaze, this raspberry pastry is an irresistible delight. 

If you love easy breakfast pastries then you’ll also want to make Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls, Cherry Danish, and Crescent Roll Cheese Danish.

Raspberry Breakfast Braid Ingredients

You will need:

Filling

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 small lemon zest
• ¾ cup raspberry pie filling

Braid

• 8 ounces crescent roll sheet

Glaze

• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice, from the zested lemon

PRO TIP: Garnish or serve with fresh raspberries for a pretty presentation.

Substitutions and Additions

CRESCENT ROLL DOUGH: If you cannot find a canned crescent roll sheet, you can use a regular can of crescent rolls. Simply press together the seams as you pat your dough into the 8×14-inch rectangle. 

SWEET FILLING: You could also use blueberry, apple, cherry, or peach filling in this danish pastry recipe. You could even double the amount of cream cheese filling and omit the fruit altogether. This is a very versatile recipe. 

SAVORY FILLING: You could also turn this breakfast braid into a savory treat and add meat, eggs, and cheese for the filling.

ALMOND EXTRACT: To make an almond glaze, you could add a dash of almond extract with the glaze ingredients. 

How to Make Raspberry Breakfast Braid

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Set aside.

STEP TWO: In a medium mixing bowl, using a handheld mixer on medium-low speed, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg yolk, vanilla extract, salt, and lemon zest until smooth.

PRO TIP: Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature so that they blend together fully.

STEP THREE: Unroll the crescent roll sheet onto the prepared baking sheet and gently flatten it to a rough 8×14-inch rectangle.

STEP FOUR: Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut 10 (1½-inch) strips, at a diagonal, on each side. You want to leave the center solid (about 3 to 4 inches wide) because that is where you will place your filling.

STEP FIVE: Evenly spread your cream cheese mixture onto the center of your cut crescent roll sheet, careful not to get it on the cut strips.

STEP SIX: Spoon your raspberry pie filling onto the top of the cream cheese filling.

STEP SEVEN: Fold the ends of the crescent dough up and over the top of the cream cheese and cherries. This helps the filling to stay nice and neat inside the ends of the raspberry breakfast braid when baked.

STEP EIGHT: Starting at one end, fold one strip across to the other side of the filling. Then take one strip from the opposite side and cross it over the top of the strip you just placed. Repeat until you have made a criss-cross (braid) pattern on the top of your crescent and fillings. You want to make sure that you go all the way across to the other side when placing your strips. This ensures that your filling does not seep out the sides when baked.

STEP NINE: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden.

PRO TIP: Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your braid at the lower end of the recommended baking time.

STEP TEN: In a medium bowl, combine the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and lemon juice. Whisk until smooth. If your glaze is too thick, you can add a small amount of additional lemon juice to thin it. Be careful not to add too much liquid.

STEP ELEVEN: Allow your baked raspberry breakfast braid to cool on the counter for 30 minutes before adding the glaze and serving.

PRO TIP: Be sure to allow the breakfast braid to cool down completely before drizzling the top of the braid with the glaze, or the glaze will melt right off the braid. Do not mix up the glaze until the braid is cooled down, or cover it tightly with plastic wrap so that no air gets to the glaze. You do not want it to get crusty on the top before drizzling, or there will be chunks in it.

How to Serve Raspberry Breakfast Braid

Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert, breakfast braids are beautiful and tasty. This impressive raspberry pastry braid would be stunning as part of a brunch spread. Treat yourself to a piece while you enjoy a cup of coffee or an iced caramel macchiato. 

Storage

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover raspberry pastry braid in the refrigerator, covered in plastic wrap, for up to 4 days. 

IN THE FREEZER: If you want to freeze this easy recipe, we recommend assembling it and freezing it before baking. Cover the braid in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to freeze. Once you are ready to serve it, thaw and bake.

Raspberry breakfast braid is a delectable breakfast treat. Made with layers of sweet raspberry pie filling, cream cheese, and a delicious flaky pastry, it’s irresistible. Sweet and tart, you’ll want to make this gorgeous breakfast braid to serve at your next brunch gathering or for a special breakfast with your family. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I use homemade raspberry pie filling? 

We use canned raspberry pie filling, but you could use homemade pie filling instead for this danish braid.

Can I make this a savory braid? If so, what fillings could I use? 

Shredded cheese, ground beef, bacon, and scrambled eggs would all be delicious choices.

Can I freeze the raspberry braid? 

We recommend freezing this raspberry cream cheese breakfast braid before you bake it. Cover in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and then freeze once assembled. Thaw and bake when you are ready to eat it.

MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

• Lemon Raspberry Cookies
• Crockpot Cinnamon Roll Casserole
• Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
• Cream Cheese Banana Bread