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