Cherry Cream Cheese Danishes Recipe: Buttery Breakfast Bliss

Sweet mornings bloom with a delightful cherry cream cheese danishes that promise pure comfort.

Flaky pastry cradles a luscious filling perfect for lazy weekend breakfasts.

Buttery layers melt in your mouth, creating an irresistible harmony of textures.

Soft cream cheese mingles with tart cherries, crafting a symphony of flavors.

Elegant yet simple, these pastries emerge from your kitchen looking like professional bakery creations.

Warm from the oven, they invite you to savor each delectable bite.

Grab a cup of coffee and let these danishes transform your morning into a celebration of deliciousness.

Why You’ll Crave Cherry Cream Cheese Danishes

• Bake with Ease: Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this recipe requires minimal culinary expertise and basic kitchen tools.
• Impress Your Guests: Create bakery-quality pastries that look professionally made with simple folding techniques and beautiful presentation.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Prepare delightful desserts in under an hour, making it ideal for spontaneous gatherings, brunch, or weekend treats.
• Sweet Versatility: Customize with different fruit options like blueberries or raspberries, adapting to personal taste preferences and seasonal availability.

What You’ll Need for Cherry Cheese Danishes

• Puff Pastry Sheets: Delicate, flaky dough that provides a light and crisp foundation for the danishes.
• All-Purpose Flour: Used for dusting the work surface to prevent pastry from sticking.

• Cream Cheese: Smooth and tangy base that creates a rich and creamy filling for the danishes.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to the cream cheese mixture.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm and aromatic flavor to the filling.
• Pitted Cherries: Fresh, juicy fruit that adds a burst of sweet-tart flavor to the danishes.

• Egg, Milk: Used to create an egg wash that gives the pastry a golden and glossy appearance.
• Eggs: Helps bind the cream cheese filling and adds richness.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides a light, sweet dusting that enhances the visual appeal of the danishes.

How to Make Cherry Cream Cheese Danishes

Step 1: Prepare Pastry Dough

Gently remove puff pastry sheets from packaging and let them rest at room temperature. Allow 30-40 minutes for the dough to become flexible yet still cool to the touch. This relaxation helps the pastry unfold smoothly without cracking.

Step 2: Create Creamy Filling

• Cream cheese
• Granulated sugar
• Egg
• Vanilla extract

Whisk until the mixture transforms into a silky, smooth consistency with no lumps.

Step 3: Roll and Shape Pastry

Sprinkle a clean work surface with flour. Carefully unfold pastry sheets and use a rolling pin to eliminate any remaining creases. Slice each sheet into four equal squares using a sharp knife.

Step 4: Fill Pastry Squares

Dollop the cream cheese mixture directly into the center of each pastry square. Leave a generous border around the edges to prevent overflow during baking.

Step 5: Add Cherry Topping

Strategically place pitted cherries across the cream cheese filling. Distribute them evenly to ensure each danish gets a perfect fruity burst.

Step 6: Fold Pastry Corners

Gently fold two opposite corners towards the center, creating an elegant pinwheel-like shape. The corners should slightly overlap in the middle.

Step 7: Prepare Egg Wash

Whisk together egg and milk to create a golden glaze. Brush this mixture carefully over the exposed pastry edges, which will help achieve a beautiful shine and rich color.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Transfer danishes to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Space them slightly apart to allow even heat circulation. Slide into a preheated oven at 400°F and bake for 18-22 minutes until the pastry turns a gorgeous golden brown and puffs up beautifully.

Step 9: Cool and Finish

Remove danishes from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes. This allows the pastry to set and the filling to stabilize.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Dust the warm danishes with a delicate sprinkle of powdered sugar. Serve immediately while warm or allow to cool to room temperature for an equally delectable experience.

Tips for Flaky, Creamy Cherry Danishes

• Perfectly Thaw Pastry: Let puff pastry rest at room temperature for exactly 30-40 minutes to ensure easy handling without becoming too soft.
• Smooth Cream Cheese Technique: Whisk ingredients thoroughly until mixture is completely lump-free for a silky, creamy filling that spreads easily.
• Cherry Placement Pro: Gently press pitted cherries into cream cheese mixture to prevent them from rolling off during baking and ensure even distribution.
• Golden Brown Mastery: Brush egg wash carefully on exposed pastry edges to achieve a beautiful, glossy, and evenly browned surface that looks professionally baked.
• Room Temperature Serving Secret: Allow danishes to cool slightly before serving to let flavors meld and pastry settle, creating the perfect texture and taste experience.

Creative Takes on Classic Cherry Danishes

• Blueberry Almond Danish: Replace cherries with fresh blueberries and sprinkle sliced almonds over cream cheese filling for a nutty crunch.
• Chocolate Raspberry Danish: Swap cherries for raspberries and add a drizzle of melted dark chocolate after baking for rich decadence.
• Apple Cinnamon Danish: Use diced cinnamon-spiced apples instead of cherries and mix ground cinnamon into cream cheese mixture for warm, comforting flavor.
• Apricot Lavender Danish: Top cream cheese filling with sliced fresh apricots and sprinkle dried lavender buds for an elegant, aromatic variation.

What to Pair with Cherry Cream Cheese Danishes

• Coffee Companion: Rich espresso or smooth cappuccino cuts through the pastry's sweetness, balancing the creamy texture with bold, robust flavors that complement the cherry's tartness.
• Wine Wonderland: Select a crisp Moscato or sweet Riesling that enhances the danish's fruity notes, creating a delightful dessert pairing with gentle acidity and light effervescence.
• Refreshing Beverage Boost: Chilled almond milk or vanilla-infused iced tea provides a cool, smooth backdrop that softens the pastry's richness while highlighting the cherry's bright character.

Keep Cherry Cream Cheese Danishes Fresh

• Place cooled danishes in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• 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 uncovered at room temperature for up to 1 day if serving within 24 hours. Avoid direct sunlight or warm areas to maintain pastry texture.
• Warm slightly in a preheated oven at 325°F for 5-6 minutes to crisp up the pastry and restore the fresh-baked taste.

Quick FAQs About Cherry Cream Cheese Danishes

• Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can use frozen cherries. Thaw and pat them dry completely to prevent excess moisture in the danish.

• How do I prevent the pastry from becoming soggy?

Ensure your cream cheese mixture isn’t too wet and leave a small border around the edges when filling to help maintain the pastry’s crispness.

• What if my puff pastry cracks while working with it?

If the pastry becomes too soft or starts cracking, return it to the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to firm up before continuing.

• Can I make these danishes ahead of time?

You can prepare the danishes and refrigerate them unbaked for up to 2 hours before baking, or freeze them for later baking.

Cherry Cream Cheese Danishes Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Delightful cherry cream cheese danishes bring European bakery charm straight to kitchen counters with minimal effort. Flaky pastry, sweet cherries, and rich cream cheese create an irresistible breakfast treat you can savor alongside morning coffee.

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Ingredients

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Pastry Dough:

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

Filling:

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

Topping:

• 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 large egg (for egg wash)
• 2 tbsp milk or water (for egg wash)

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Instructions

1. Thaw puff pastry sheets at room temperature for 30-40 minutes until pliable but still cool.
2. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Whisk cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth and creamy.
4. Dust work surface with flour and unfold pastry sheets, gently rolling to smooth out any creases.
5. Cut each pastry sheet into 4 equal squares using a sharp knife.
6. Spoon cream cheese mixture into the center of each pastry square, leaving a border around the edges.
7. Arrange pitted cherries on top of cream cheese filling.
8. Fold two opposite corners of each pastry square towards the center, creating a pinwheel-like shape.
9. Whisk egg and milk together to create egg wash, then brush over the exposed pastry edges.
10. Transfer danishes to prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
11. Bake for 18-22 minutes until pastry is golden brown and puffed.
12. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet.
13. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.
14. Serve warm or at room temperature for optimal texture and flavor.

Notes

• Ensure puff pastry is completely thawed but still cool to maintain its delicate, flaky texture during baking.
• Keep cream cheese mixture at room temperature for smoother, easier spreading across pastry squares.
• Drain cherries thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from making the pastry soggy and compromising the crisp layers.
• Experiment with alternative fruit options like blueberries, raspberries, or sliced peaches for diverse flavor variations.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Danish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg