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Cherry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 111 reviews

This Cherry Danish recipe features flaky puff pastry filled with a creamy, sweetened cream cheese mixture and topped with luscious cherry pie filling. Baked to golden perfection and optionally glazed with a vanilla-sugar drizzle, these pastries make a delightful treat for breakfast, brunch, or dessert lovers craving a touch of elegance and sweetness in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Pastry

  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (thawed according to package directions)
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (for dusting surface)

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tsp fresh lemon juice (optional, for brightness)

Cherry Topping

  • 1 cup cherry pie filling or homemade cherry compote

Egg Wash

  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp milk

Glaze (Optional)

  • ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
  • 1–2 tbsp milk
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  2. Prepare the Pastry: Lightly flour your work surface to prevent sticking. Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet and cut it into 8 equal squares. With a knife, lightly score a smaller square about ½ inch inside the edges on each piece without cutting through, which will help create a raised border during baking.
  3. Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and optional lemon juice. Mix until the filling is smooth and creamy.
  4. Assemble the Danishes: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese filling into the center of each pastry square. Top each with 1 tablespoon of cherry pie filling or cherry compote. Brush the outer edges of the pastry squares with the egg wash made by whisking the egg and milk.
  5. Bake the Danishes: Place the filled pastries on the prepped baking sheet and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
  6. Add the Glaze (Optional): Whisk the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract together until smooth. Drizzle this glaze over the slightly cooled danishes to add a sweet finishing touch.

Notes

  • Ensure the puff pastry is fully thawed but still cold before working with it for best puffing results.
  • The lemon juice in the cream cheese filling is optional but adds a nice brightness to balance the sweetness.
  • Use a gentle hand when scoring the border on the puff pastry to avoid cutting all the way through.
  • The glaze is optional but enhances both appearance and taste with a sweet vanilla sheen.
  • For variation, try substituting the cherry pie filling with other fruit compotes such as blueberry or raspberry.

Keywords: Cherry Danish, Puff Pastry, Cream Cheese Pastry, Sweet Pastry, Breakfast Pastry, Dessert Recipe

Find it online: https://messykitchenmagic.com/cherry-cream-cheese-danish-recipe/