I’ve been missing Pensacola, Florida this week. Especially now that its summertime! I miss the pool parties, the food, the powder white sand on the gulf coast beaches, the food, volleyball at the bar, the food, and all the friends I made in the sunshine state panhandle. I don’t miss Four Loko. That’s one thing that can stay in Pensacola! But that’s a story for another day and a different blog… Did I mention I miss the food? =)
Blackwater Bistro is military owned and operated and the go-to place for dinner on the weekends. They serve a fun spin on southern comfort foods and my favorite sandwich in-the-world! It’s a buttery, flaky croissant topped with smoked turkey, crisp romaine, and the most amazing spread. I was convinced it was a combo of cream cheese, cranberries, walnuts and cinnamon so, naturally, I had to re-create it at home to see if I was right. Jackpot! <3
Cranberry-Walnut Sandwich Spread
spread #1
ingredients:
2 tablespoons of cream cheese or creamy goat cheese
2-4 TBSP crushed walnuts, unsalted
1/8 tsp of ground cinnamon
1/4 cup of Craisins or lightly sweetened dried cranberries, plus extra, to taste
spread #2
ingredients:
4 ounces regular or neufchatel cream cheese
4 TBSP leftover cranberry sauce [try this one]
2-3 TBSP chopped baking walnuts
1 TBSP honey [use a little… or a lot!]
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
Brontosaurus Chefs Veganize by using vegan-friendly “cream cheese” spread.
T-Rex Chefs The original had deli-sliced turkey – Feel free to layer it on!
Get Your Sandwich On!
Spread #1: Add your dried cranberries to hot water and soak for several minutes until softened. Pat dry and add to cream cheese along with crushed walnuts and cinnamon. Spread onto croissant and top with lots of crisp of romaine and refreshing cucumber to make the king of all tea sandwiches!
Spread #2: Soften cream cheese to room temperature, then combine with a few heaping spoonfuls of leftover cranberry sauce. Next fold in chopped walnuts [optional, but beyond delicious!] and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. Drizzle a tablespoon of honey into the mixture and stir.
Rather not wait for the cream cheese to soften? Break out your food processor and whip the cream cheese, walnuts, cinnamon and honey to perfection before adding your sauce. Just be sure to unplug the food processor before trying to lick it clean.
Or grab some turkey and have at it!
T-Rex Chef Sandwich
So… How was it?
Just like the original… only with more veggies and at a fraction of the price! I have a feeling this will be my summer lunch again and again! This spread is un. real.
Dear sandwich, I love you. Marry me?
omfg that looks delicious!!!
Sandwiches on a croissant are the BEST — looks sooo good!!
Cranberries + cream cheese + walnuts + cinnamon?! Jenn, you’re seriously a combination queen. I love this idea! I’m going to try spearing it on turkey slices and rolling it up! (Why don’t they make GF croissants?! grrr) 🙂
This looks delicious! I want to make it now. I pinned it to my yummy board. haha Thanks for sharing.. you can come cook for me any time.. I’m a great guinea pig!!!
girl, you had me at “croissant”. I was just talking about croissant sandwiches yesterday, and you made all my dreams come true! Now I don’t have to be sad about never going to Blackwater Bistro while I was in Pensacola (which was about a day).
Yum, that looks fabulous! I must try a vegan version now! 🙂
i’m obsessed with cucumber right now! I’ll marry that sandwich too!
That looks sooooo good! My favorite sandwich is one that we had at a vegan restaurant and I recreated at home. It’s a garnet yam and avocado panini with garlic mayo. Delicious!
Holy smokes—this looks amazing! I’ve never made my take on any favorites b/c I’m always too afraid it won’t be anywhere near as good as the original! And whats up with me growing up in FL but never going to Pensacola? I want to see these white sand beaches you speak of!
this is uh.mazing. omg i’m like drooling
this looks amazing 🙂 thanks for the recipe!!
damn, that looks good! I love these kind of spreads on bagels, don’t know why I never thought to do this on a sandwich. Great idea!
This is the first thing you’ve ever posted that made me go “eww.” Sorry lady…I can’t stand cranberry walnut anything! But I’m glad it makes you happy.
Good news is, since you want to marry it, I won’t be stealing your sandwich spouse.
My favorite sandwich of all time is a real Italian hoagie but it has to be made in New Jersey.
Mmm looks like Thanksgiving in summer!
Oh wow. This combination sounds absolutely to die for. Love, love, LOVE the idea of craisins with cream cheese, and on a croissant? Swooooon. I haven’t eaten one in forever (kinda forgot about them) but I need to change that FAST because I absolutely adore them… and you, for being such a genius <3
Mmm! This looks fantastic! Oh it’s been TOO long since I’ve had a warm fluffy croissant!
And um, I think you know what MY favorite sandwich is…I wonder if I’ll ever get tired of PB&J with BBQ tofu?? Naaaaah! 😉
I love when I recreate something and it’s just as good as the store bought version! Way to go! I wonder if I could grind cashews, add lemon and make that the cream cheese? This spread looks SO perfect!
This looks so good! I’ll have to try it out. I live in Pensacola, but I’ve never been to Blackwater Bistro – we usually eat downtown since it’s near where we live.
Frugally Green Mom
wait wait wait. Are you referencing four loko like, the drink?? How could you not like that??! hehe, just kidding. I LOVE cranberries!!! Yum.
Favorite sandwich… probably this amazing veggie burger from this cafe in Columbus, OH. SO GOOD!
This looks incredible! if only they made GF croissants, I’d be set 😉
Shut the front door.
No, for real, because I’m going to find croissants somewhere right now.
At 1 AM.
This sounds amazing!!!
Seriously? OMG.
This looks yummy!!!! I love croissant sandwiches!!!
I want this croissant RIGHT NOW!! YUMMMMMM!!
Sounds like a great spread and a great sandwich! I’m a sucker for anything with cranberries in it and I firmly believe that nearly any dish can be enhanced by the addition of a little cinnamon! Thanks for sharing your recipe for this spread – can’t wait to try it out soon!
I agree, I would like this sammy to marry me too 🙂
Yum yum yum! This looks delicious!
i love recreating restaurant meals at home! looks like you hit this one spot-on. love the sweet-savory combo :]
this looks awesome. i love croissants…and cranberries 🙂
Any sandwich with a croissant is so freakin tasty 🙂 My favorite EVER is grilled cheese with tomatoes, dipped in ketchup!
wow wow wow! it looks so freaking delicious!
my favorite sandwich is a “burger” from a place right near my office! it’s a balsamic marinated portobello mushroom cap that’s grilled. the sandwich has pesto, goat cheese, and roasted red peppers. it’s so delicious!
I’m not a huge croissant fan, but the spread looks great. My fav sandwich is The Gobbler that many delis feature in November. It’s carved turkey with cranberry and stuffing on grainy bread. Yum.
Sounds like your hubs needs to keep an eye on you and that sandwich… 😉
Yum! So simple but perfect! My favorite sandwich… hard to narrow down, but I’m planning about dedicating a post to BLTs sometime this week…
Divine!
omg YES. i love croissants this looks SO good. xo jillian:: ps im hosting a judy kaufmann print giveaway!
That looks so, so good! We’ve been making more adventurous sandwiches for lunch lately (beyond boring ham or turkey, cheese, lettuce and mustard) and this will soon be entering the line-up 🙂
oh my STARS girl, this sounds fantastic!! I love a croissant sandwich… I want.
Looks so good… I can’t wait to try it 🙂
YUMMMMM! Wow, girl, you are on a roll with these yummy recipes. I am addicted to pinning your recipes now! =)
Yummy, that sounds amazing!! I always forget about Croissant sammies!
Yummay! That looks so good! I love the combo of the cc, walnuts, and dried fruit!
i dont have a fav sandwich, BUT if i could make something like this…it would probably take the cake!!!
i’ll take one t-rex version, please!
and btw, i totally pinned this! 🙂
I love cucumbers on sandwiches!! YUM 🙂
This looks amazing!!! 🙂
I adore paninis with chocolate and berries…SO mmmmmmmm to me.
Oh my goodness, this looks insanely good. Deliver one to me? K thanks. 🙂
Cream cheese can totally make anything 100% better…I am so with you on that! I love just cream cheese and cucumbers, English style. This looks even better Jenn!
Are there really people who can make their own croissants??
WOW! That spread does look amazing! My favorite sandwich combo is veggie bacon, spinach, tomato, and avocado!!!
Mmm, that looks great. Trader Joe’s sells a packaged Gorgonzola and cranberry spread/dip thing that I’m always tempted to buy, but never do!
I just bought craisins yesterday for muffins and thinking I wanted to do something creative with the rest. Bingo!!!! I’m totally trying this!
Ahhh… Four Loko!! SO gross. My friend bought me one on my 21st birthday and I couldn’t even finish it!
This sandwich is really similar to one that was sold at the cafe I used to work at. I am such a sucker for dried cranberries, so I totally have to make this!
Holy cranberry, I’m in love. Come live in my house and make me sandwiches.
Yummm this is so creative. I’ve never had a sammich with walnut spread before 😀
This reminds me of one of my favorite sandwiches that I get at a local place here. It’s a chicken cranberry sandwich and it has cream cheese and cranberry sauce and all sorts of amazingness in it. I’m definately going to have to make this spread!!
I don’t do cranberries….but otherwise this looks delish! Thanks for sharing with us!!
LOOKS SO GOOD! I’m not surprised … you are awesome!!
XOXOOX
Holy Batman this looks AMAZING!!!! Totally bookmarking this recipe idea! Yuuuuuuuum!
Oooooh this looks soooo amazingly good! A) it is on a croisant, b) sweet and salty, need I say more? c) turkey and cranberries are like 2 of my favorite things. Ahhh, bookmarking this for SURE!
You are so rad 🙂 Yum!
Ah! Bookmarking and making this one too!!
I can’t pick a fave sandwich to save my life, for real.I am kind of crazy for so many of them.
OH MY GOSH. I CAN ACTUALLY MAKE THIS! WOOOOO!
Sounds amazing. Definitely lunch tomorrow!!!!!
I love cucumbers on sandwiches!! YUM 🙂
i dont have a fav sandwich, BUT if i could make something like this…it would probably take the cake!!!
This looks amazing!!! 🙂
That looks so, so good! We’ve been making more adventurous sandwiches for lunch lately (beyond boring ham or turkey, cheese, lettuce and mustard) and this will soon be entering the line-up 🙂
Yummy, that sounds amazing!! I always forget about Croissant sammies!
Sounds like your hubs needs to keep an eye on you and that sandwich… 😉
Divine!
I’m not a huge croissant fan, but the spread looks great. My fav sandwich is The Gobbler that many delis feature in November. It’s carved turkey with cranberry and stuffing on grainy bread. Yum.
Any sandwich with a croissant is so freakin tasty 🙂 My favorite EVER is grilled cheese with tomatoes, dipped in ketchup!
this looks awesome. i love croissants…and cranberries 🙂
i love recreating restaurant meals at home! looks like you hit this one spot-on. love the sweet-savory combo :]
Shut the front door.
No, for real, because I’m going to find croissants somewhere right now.
At 1 AM.
This sounds amazing!!!
Yum yum yum! This looks delicious!
This looks incredible! if only they made GF croissants, I’d be set 😉
This looks so good! I’ll have to try it out. I live in Pensacola, but I’ve never been to Blackwater Bistro – we usually eat downtown since it’s near where we live.
Frugally Green Mom
Mmm! This looks fantastic! Oh it’s been TOO long since I’ve had a warm fluffy croissant!
And um, I think you know what MY favorite sandwich is…I wonder if I’ll ever get tired of PB&J with BBQ tofu?? Naaaaah! 😉
Oh wow. This combination sounds absolutely to die for. Love, love, LOVE the idea of craisins with cream cheese, and on a croissant? Swooooon. I haven’t eaten one in forever (kinda forgot about them) but I need to change that FAST because I absolutely adore them… and you, for being such a genius <3
Mmm looks like Thanksgiving in summer!
damn, that looks good! I love these kind of spreads on bagels, don’t know why I never thought to do this on a sandwich. Great idea!
i’m obsessed with cucumber right now! I’ll marry that sandwich too!
Holy smokes—this looks amazing! I’ve never made my take on any favorites b/c I’m always too afraid it won’t be anywhere near as good as the original! And whats up with me growing up in FL but never going to Pensacola? I want to see these white sand beaches you speak of!
That looks sooooo good! My favorite sandwich is one that we had at a vegan restaurant and I recreated at home. It’s a garnet yam and avocado panini with garlic mayo. Delicious!
Cranberries + cream cheese + walnuts + cinnamon?! Jenn, you’re seriously a combination queen. I love this idea! I’m going to try spearing it on turkey slices and rolling it up! (Why don’t they make GF croissants?! grrr) 🙂
omfg that looks delicious!!!
omg YES. i love croissants this looks SO good. xo jillian:: ps im hosting a judy kaufmann print giveaway!
I want this croissant RIGHT NOW!! YUMMMMMM!!
This looks yummy!!!! I love croissant sandwiches!!!
Wow, that does look absolutely delicious. I will definitely be giving it a try!
Interesting! I’m not usually into croissant-wiches, but maybe with the cranberries, I’d go for it more than with sliced cheese and ham.
That would make THE perfect breakfast! Especially the day after Thanksgiving with all that leftover turkey…
This looks so good. At first I thought it was a mayo spread but I am so happy to see cream cheese in the list. Bring it on!
Cream cheese and walnuts…nice!
Delicious! I love sandwiches with different kinds of flavors. P’cola is a pretty cool place, isn’t it?
yes! very! =)
nooo mayo here! it simply MUST be cream cheese! or whipped cream cheese even! =) Hope you get a chance to try it! xoxo
A sandwich made out of a good croissant already has major points in my opinion. MMM…I would love this bronto or t rex style! I love the analogy.
Hehe thanks Dionne! <3 The croissant and spread/sammie combo is just heavenly! I used to go to the restaurant that inspired my dish weekly just to have it… until I finally decided to save some $$$ and start making it at home! So good! <3 Hope you have a fantabulous weekend dear!
I NEED this!! And of course, I have no cream cheese. :op
This makes me so hungry! I’m definitely going to make this!!!
Does this just make one sandwich. I wanted to make 8 for a luncheon. Not sue the amount of ingredients to buy.
So excited you’ll be making it for your luncheon! =) Thanks! Depending on the size of your bread/sandwich, the recipe for spread #2 [using 4 ounces of cream cheese as the base] should make 2-3 sandwiches. It keeps marvelously in the fridge for 4 days or so [and can be frozen!] so I would quadruple the recipe just in case and then you can use any leftovers [if any] as a cracker spread or for guests to spread on celery/cucumbers/etc!