Raspberry Breakfast Braid Recipe
This Raspberry Breakfast Braid is a delightful pastry featuring a flaky crescent roll crust filled with a creamy lemon-vanilla cream cheese mixture and sweet raspberry pie filling. Braided strips of dough encase the filling, creating a beautiful, bakery-style presentation. Finished with a tangy lemon glaze, it’s perfect for a special breakfast or brunch treat.
- Author: Jeannette
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Filling
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 small lemon, zest only
- ¾ cup raspberry pie filling
Dough
- 8 ounces crescent roll sheet
Glaze
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, from the zested lemon
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Make the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, using a handheld mixer at medium-low speed, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg yolk, vanilla extract, salt, and lemon zest until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Prepare the Dough: Unroll the crescent roll sheet onto the prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten it into a rough 8×14-inch rectangle to create an even base for the filling.
- Cut the Dough Strips: Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut 10 strips (approximately 1½ inches wide) diagonally along each long side of the rectangle, leaving the center 3 to 4 inches wide intact for the filling.
- Spread the Filling: Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture along the center strip of dough, making sure not to get any filling on the cut strips which will form the braid.
- Add Raspberry Pie Filling: Spoon the raspberry pie filling evenly over the cream cheese layer, forming a compact layer of sweet berries.
- Fold the Ends: Fold the short ends of the crescent dough up and over the fillings to help contain everything during baking and prevent leakage.
- Braid the Dough Strips: Starting at one end, fold one strip from one side of the dough over the filling to the opposite side. Then fold a strip from the other side over it, repeating a criss-cross pattern until all strips are folded across the filling to form a braid. This ensures the filling stays contained when baking.
- Bake: Place the braid in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the braid bakes, whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, and lemon juice in a medium bowl until smooth and pourable. Add extra lemon juice as needed if the glaze is too thick, but add slowly to maintain consistency.
- Cool and Glaze: Allow the baked raspberry breakfast braid to cool on the counter for about 30 minutes to set. Once cooled, drizzle the lemon glaze over the top just before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother filling.
- If raspberry pie filling is too runny, drain a bit of excess juice to prevent soggy dough.
- Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter for clean, straight cuts on the dough strips.
- Allow the braid to cool before adding the glaze to avoid melting the sugar and creating a runny topping.
- This braid can be served warm or at room temperature and pairs beautifully with coffee or tea.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and reheat gently before serving.
Keywords: raspberry breakfast braid, raspberry dessert braid, cream cheese pastry, easy breakfast recipe, lemon glaze braid, crescent roll pastry