Step 1: Preheat the oven and prep your dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a bit of butter or non-stick spray. This keeps the bottom layer nice and crisp without sticking.

Step 2: Prepare the crescent roll base
Unroll one can of crescent roll dough and press it into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Gently press the seams together so it forms one solid sheet. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect—this layer will puff up and cradle all the goodness.

Step 3: Make the cream cheese filling
In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and the egg until smooth and creamy. A hand mixer works great here, but a sturdy whisk and some arm power will also do the job if needed.

Step 4: Spread the filling
Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crescent dough layer and use a spatula to spread it out evenly, all the way to the edges. Make sure every bite gets a good helping of filling!

Step 5: Add the raspberry swirl
Spoon dollops of raspberry jam across the cream cheese layer. Use a knife or toothpick to gently swirl it through the cream cheese, creating ribbons of sweet, tangy raspberry throughout. Drop the fresh raspberries evenly across the top for extra fruitiness.

Step 6: Top it off
Unroll the second can of crescent dough and lay it over the top. Again, press the seams gently to form a single sheet. Don’t worry if it’s a little rustic—those flaky edges are part of the charm.

Step 7: Brush and sprinkle
Brush the top layer with melted butter, making sure to cover it edge to edge. If you want a bit of extra sparkle and crunch, sprinkle on a tablespoon of coarse sugar.

Step 8: Bake to golden perfection
Slide the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly puffed. The cream cheese should be set but still a little jiggly in the center—it will firm up as it cools.

Step 9: Cool before slicing
Let the casserole cool in the pan for at least 15–20 minutes before slicing. This gives everything time to set so the layers don’t slide apart when you serve.

Step 10: Add the finishing touch
Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with your homemade glaze if using. Then slice into squares and serve warm—or chilled, depending on your mood.