Description
This Easy Cherry Cheese Danish recipe combines flaky puff pastry with a creamy sweetened cream cheese filling and luscious cherry pie filling to create a delightful dessert or breakfast pastry. Simple to assemble and bake, it’s perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a homemade bakery-style Danish in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Danish:
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cherry pie filling
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare the Puff Pastry: Cut the sheet of puff pastry into 4 equal squares. At each corner of every square, make small cuts to allow the corners to fold neatly over the filling later.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Assemble the Danishes: Spoon a generous amount of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each puff pastry square, then top it with a spoonful of cherry pie filling, distributing evenly.
- Fold and Seal: Lightly dampen the edges of each pastry square with water to help seal. Fold the corners inward towards the center to create a pocket that encases the filling snugly.
- Bake: Place the assembled pastries on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until the puff pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Remove the Danish from the oven and allow them to cool slightly. Before serving, sprinkle powdered sugar over the top for an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened at room temperature for easy mixing and a smooth filling.
- Cherry pie filling can be substituted with other fruit preserves or fresh berries if preferred.
- Do not overfill the pastry to prevent leaking during baking.
- You can prepare the Danish in advance and refrigerate before baking to save time.
- For a festive touch, brush the pastry with an egg wash before baking to achieve a glossy finish.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
