Description
Sweet pastry dreams come alive with this Cherry Cream Cheese Danish, blending delicate layers of buttery dough and rich, tangy filling. Delightful cherry swirls and creamy cheese create a breakfast treat that promises pure indulgence you’ll savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry Base:
- 1 sheet (8 ounces/225 grams) puff pastry, thawed
Filling Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (120 grams) cherry pie filling
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
Egg Wash and Glaze:
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ½ cup (60 grams) powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the workspace by gathering all necessary tools and preheating the oven to 400F (200C), ensuring a parchment-lined baking sheet is ready for the pastries.
- Gently unfold the puff pastry on a lightly dusted surface, carefully stretching and smoothing out any creases, then slice into four symmetrical squares or maintain the entire sheet for a rustic presentation.
- Craft the luxurious cream cheese mixture by blending softened cream cheese with granulated sugar, incorporating vanilla extract and delicate lemon zest until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Construct the Danish by strategically positioning a generous cream cheese dollop in the center of each pastry square, then crown with a vibrant spoonful of cherry pie filling, artfully folding the pastry’s corners inward to create an elegant border that captures the luscious filling.
- Enhance the pastry’s appearance by whisking an egg with milk, then delicately brushing the exposed edges to promote a rich, golden-brown exterior during baking.
- Carefully slide the assembled pastries onto the prepared baking sheet, allowing them to transform in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until they rise majestically and develop a gorgeous amber-toned crust.
- Optional final touch involves creating a decadent glaze by combining powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, then elegantly drizzling over the slightly cooled Danish to provide a sweet, glistening finish.
Notes
- Softening cream cheese at room temperature ensures a smooth, lump-free filling that spreads easily and blends perfectly.
- Chill the pastry briefly after assembly to help maintain its shape and create extra flaky layers during baking.
- Use fresh lemon zest for a bright, vibrant flavor that cuts through the richness of the cream cheese and enhances the cherry’s sweetness.
- For a gluten-free version, swap puff pastry with gluten-free puff pastry or use almond flour-based pastry dough to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Danish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 278
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 192 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg