The Fluffiest Cherry Cheese Danish Recipe You’ll Ever Bake

Crafting a delectable cherry cheese danish brings pure morning magic to your kitchen.

Sweet pastry dreams start with simple ingredients and minimal effort.

Layers of buttery dough fold around creamy cheese and vibrant fruit filling.

Delicate pastry promises a breakfast experience that feels both elegant and comforting.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike can master this delightful treat with confidence.

Rich cream cheese melts into golden, flaky crust, creating irresistible texture and flavor.

One bite transports you to a charming European café, where every pastry tells a delicious story.

Jump into this recipe and surprise yourself with bakery-quality delights right from your own oven.

Why Cherry Cheese Danish Is a Bakery-Style Favorite

• Craft with Ease: Beginners and seasoned bakers can confidently create these delectable danish pastries without complex techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Delight: Perfect for brunches, potlucks, and family gatherings, these cherry cheese danishes will impress everyone with their stunning presentation and irresistible flavor combination.
• Versatile Sweet Treat: Customize the recipe by swapping cherries with other fruits like blueberries or strawberries, making it adaptable to seasonal ingredients and personal preferences.
• Sensational Homemade Experience: Skip store-bought pastries and enjoy the satisfaction of creating a bakery-quality dessert right in your own kitchen, filling your home with warm, sweet aromas.

What Goes Into Cherry Cheese Danish

• Puff Pastry Sheets: A delicate and flaky foundation that creates a light and airy base for the danish.

• Cream Cheese: A smooth and rich base that provides a creamy texture and tangy flavor.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and balances the tanginess of the cream cheese.
• Egg: Helps bind the filling and provides structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm and sweet notes.
• Salt: Brings out the depth of flavors in the filling.

• Pitted Cherries: Fresh and juicy fruit that adds a vibrant and sweet element to the danish.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cherry mixture and helps create a glossy consistency.
• Lemon Juice: Adds a bright, tangy note and helps balance the sweetness.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the cherry mixture, creating a luscious and glossy topping.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth and sweet finishing touch.
• Milk: Helps achieve the right consistency for the glaze.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle depth of flavor to the glaze.

How to Bake Cherry Cheese Danish at Home

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and non-stick baking.

Step 2: Roll Out Pastry Dough

Sprinkle flour lightly on a clean surface. Gently roll out puff pastry sheets to create an even, smooth base for the danish. Ensure the pastry is flat and uniform.

Step 3: Create Creamy Cheese Filling

• Sugar
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

Blend until the mixture is perfectly creamy and well-combined.

Step 4: Cook Cherry Topping

• Pitted cherries
• Sugar
• Lemon juice
• Cornstarch

Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens and becomes glossy and rich.

Step 5: Shape Danish Bases

Cut each pastry sheet into 4 equal rectangular pieces, creating 8 individual danish foundations.

Step 6: Add Cream Cheese Layer

Spread a generous dollop of cream cheese mixture in the center of each pastry rectangle. Leave a small border around the edges to prevent overflow during baking.

Step 7: Top with Cherry Mixture

Spoon the warm cherry topping over the cream cheese, allowing some of the white filling to peek through for visual appeal.

Step 8: Create Rustic Edges

Gently fold the pastry edges slightly inward, forming a casual border that helps contain the delicious fillings.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the danish in the preheated oven. Bake for 18-20 minutes until the pastry turns a beautiful golden brown and becomes wonderfully puffy.

Step 10: Cool Briefly

Remove the danish from the oven. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, letting the fillings set slightly.

Step 11: Prepare Sweet Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Mix until the glaze becomes smooth and silky.

Step 12: Drizzle and Decorate

Pour the glaze generously over the warm danish, letting it cascade down the sides for a beautiful finish.

Step 13: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the danish immediately while still warm. Savor the delightful combination of flaky pastry, creamy filling, and sweet cherry topping.

Tips for the Perfect Cherry Cheese Danish Texture

• Prevent Soggy Pastry: Pat cherries dry before cooking to remove excess moisture and ensure a crisp, flaky danish base.
• Smooth Cream Cheese Technique: Bring cream cheese to room temperature before mixing to achieve a lump-free, silky filling that spreads easily.
• Perfect Cherry Consistency: Cook cherry mixture until it reaches a jam-like thickness, preventing runny filling that could make pastry soggy.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Add a splash of almond extract to the cream cheese filling for a subtle, complementary taste that elevates the cherry notes.
• Glaze Like a Pro: Let danish cool slightly before drizzling glaze to prevent it from melting completely and ensure a beautiful, defined pattern.

Cherry Cheese Danish Variations You’ll Love

• Berry Bliss Danish: Swap cherries for a mixed berry compote using strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, creating a vibrant and colorful pastry with a tangy fruit filling.
• Almond Cream Sensation: Replace vanilla with almond extract in the cream cheese mixture, then top with sliced almonds and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a nutty, aromatic danish.
• Peach Caramel Fusion: Use fresh peach slices instead of cherries, drizzle with homemade caramel sauce after baking, and garnish with a light dusting of powdered sugar for a summer-inspired treat.
• Chocolate Raspberry Dream: Incorporate melted dark chocolate into the cream cheese filling, top with fresh raspberries, and add a chocolate ganache drizzle for an indulgent dessert experience.

Best Pairings for Cherry Cheese Danish

• Pair with Sweet Dessert Wine: Select a light, fruity moscato or late-harvest riesling that complements the cherry's sweetness and matches the danish's delicate flavor profile.
• Create Coffee Companion: Brew a smooth medium-roast coffee with subtle caramel notes that will enhance the pastry's richness and balance the cream cheese's tanginess.
• Elevate with Sparkling Beverage: Choose a chilled prosecco or sparkling rosé to cut through the danish's creamy texture and provide a refreshing contrast to the sweet cherry topping.
• Match with Creamy Side: Serve alongside a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to amplify the dessert's decadence and create a harmonious temperature and flavor combination.

Storage Tips for Cherry Cheese Danish

• Store cooled danish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.
• Wrap individual danishes tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness.
• Keep freshly baked danishes at room temperature for up to 6 hours, covering loosely with a clean kitchen towel to prevent drying out. Best enjoyed within the first few hours of baking for maximum flavor and texture.

Questions About Cherry Cheese Danish? We’ve Got Answers

• What ingredients make the cream cheese filling special?

The cream cheese filling combines cream cheese, sugar, egg, vanilla, and salt, creating a smooth, rich, and slightly sweet base that perfectly complements the cherry topping.

• How do I prevent the pastry from becoming soggy?

Use cold puff pastry and don’t overfill the danish. Leave a small border around the edges and ensure the cherry mixture isn’t too wet to maintain the pastry’s crisp texture.

• Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh ones?

Yes, frozen cherries work well. Thaw and drain them completely before cooking to prevent excess moisture that could make the danish soggy. The cooking process with sugar and cornstarch will help create the perfect cherry topping.

Cherry Cheese Danish Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 38-40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Irresistible Cherry Cheese Danish brings European bakery charm straight to home kitchens with flaky pastry and creamy filling. Sweet cherries and rich cream cheese create a delightful breakfast or dessert you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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Pastry Dough:

• 2 sheets puff pastry
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for dusting)

Cheese Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt

Fruit Topping:

• 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp cornstarch

Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll out the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface, creating a smooth, even base for the danish.
3. Whip cream cheese with sugar until smooth and creamy, incorporating the egg, vanilla, and salt to create a rich filling.
4. Prepare the cherry topping by combining pitted cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a saucepan, cooking until slightly thickened and glossy.
5. Cut each pastry sheet into 4 equal rectangles, creating 8 individual danish bases.
6. Spread a generous dollop of cream cheese mixture in the center of each pastry rectangle, leaving a small border around the edges.
7. Spoon the warm cherry mixture over the cream cheese, allowing some filling to peek through.
8. Fold the pastry edges slightly inward, creating a rustic border that helps contain the filling.
9. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the pastry turns golden brown and becomes beautifully puffed.
10. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet.
11. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to create a smooth glaze.
12. Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm danish, allowing it to cascade down the sides.
13. Serve immediately while still warm and enjoy the delightful combination of flaky pastry, creamy filling, and sweet cherry topping.

Notes

• Ensure puff pastry is cold and firm for the flakiest, most delicate texture that will impress everyone.
• Drain cherries thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the pastry soggy and compromising the crisp base.
• Experiment with alternative fruit toppings like blueberries, apricots, or peaches for a personalized twist on this classic danish.
• For a gluten-free version, swap traditional puff pastry with gluten-free puff pastry available in many specialty grocery stores.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Danish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg