If you’re looking for a sweet and flaky pastry that’s both indulgent and comforting, then this Cherry Cheese Danish is your new go-to. Picture this: golden, buttery layers of dough, rich and creamy cheese filling, and a sweet, tangy cherry topping that adds just the right burst of flavor. Trust me, once you take a bite, you won’t be able to stop at just one!

Why You’ll Love Cherry Cheese Danish

This Cherry Cheese Danish isn’t just a treat for the taste buds, it’s a total game-changer for your mornings (or whenever you need a little sweetness in your life). Here’s why it’s a favorite:

Versatile: Whether it’s breakfast, brunch, or dessert, this danish is perfect for any occasion. You can even serve it at parties or gatherings to impress your guests with something that looks as good as it tastes.
Budget-Friendly: With simple ingredients that won’t break the bank, this recipe delivers a lot of bang for your buck!
Quick and Easy: It comes together in no time, making it perfect for those days when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
Customizable: If you’re not a fan of cherries, feel free to swap them out for other fruits like blueberries or raspberries.
Crowd-Pleasing: A guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. It’s always a win when a single dish can satisfy everyone at the table. This recipe strikes the perfect balance of flavor and comfort, making it a universal favorite.

Ingredients in Cherry Cheese Danish

Here’s the magic of this danish: it’s made with just a few simple ingredients, but it creates a mouthwatering treat that’s nothing short of spectacular. Let’s break it down:

Puff Pastry: The crispy, flaky layers are what make this danish so irresistible. Puff pastry is buttery and delicious, forming the perfect base for the creamy filling and fruit topping.
Cream Cheese: The star of the filling. Smooth and rich, it gives the danish its indulgent texture and balances out the sweetness of the cherry topping.
Sugar: Just enough to add sweetness to the filling without overwhelming the other flavors.
Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla makes everything taste a little more magical, enhancing the richness of the cream cheese.
Egg: Used to bind the filling together and to brush over the pastry for a golden, shiny finish.
Cherries: The star topping that brings in a sweet and slightly tart flavor, perfectly complementing the creamy filling.
Lemon Juice: A dash of lemon juice in the cherry topping gives it a nice zing and balances out the sweetness.

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions

Let’s dive into the steps to create this flaky, fruity masterpiece:

Preheat Your Equipment: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures your danish bakes evenly and gets that perfect golden color.

Prepare the Puff Pastry: Unroll your puff pastry on a clean surface. If using store-bought, simply unfold it and cut it into squares (you can make them as big or small as you like). Press the edges gently to create a border.

Mix the Cream Cheese Filling: In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy. This filling is the key to that indulgent bite!

Assemble the Danish: Place a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each pastry square. Spread it out slightly, but leave some room around the edges. Then, spoon a little bit of the cherry mixture on top of the cream cheese.

Fold the Pastry: Carefully fold the edges of the pastry over the filling, creating a little pocket around the center. You want the filling to peek out a bit in the middle.

Brush and Bake: Brush the top of the pastry with a beaten egg to give it that beautiful golden color. Place the danishes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed up.

Finishing Touches: Once baked, remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. The cherries will be nice and juicy, and the cream cheese will be perfectly smooth.

Serve and Enjoy: Serve warm and enjoy! These are best served fresh from the oven, but they’re still delightful the next day (if there’s any left!).

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 8
Calories per serving: 250-300 (depending on portion size and specific ingredients used)

Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

How to Serve Cherry Cheese Danish

This cherry cheese danish pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea, making it the perfect breakfast or afternoon snack. You can even serve it alongside a fresh fruit salad for a balanced meal or with a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent dessert. It’s super versatile and is bound to become your new favorite pastry!

Additional Tips

Make Ahead: You can prepare the danish in advance by assembling the pastries and refrigerating them until you’re ready to bake. Just brush them with the egg wash and pop them in the oven when you’re ready to serve.
Fruit Variations: Feel free to experiment with other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or even a combo of berries for a twist on the classic cherry topping.
Extra Sweetness: If you like things a bit sweeter, drizzle a simple glaze over the danish once they’re done baking. Just mix powdered sugar with a little milk and vanilla to create a smooth drizzle.

FAQ’s

1. Can I use a different type of fruit instead of cherries?
Yes, absolutely! Blueberries, raspberries, or even sliced strawberries would be great substitutes.

2. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the danish up to the point of baking and then refrigerate them until you’re ready to pop them in the oven.

3. Is it possible to make this with homemade puff pastry?
Of course! Homemade puff pastry will give you an even flakier texture, though it will take a bit more time to prepare.

4. Can I freeze the danish?
Yes, you can freeze unbaked danishes. Just assemble them, freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time.

5. How long will the danish stay fresh?
These danishes are best eaten within 1-2 days, but you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature.

6. Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
Yes, you can use low-fat cream cheese, but it might affect the creaminess of the filling slightly.

7. What other toppings can I add to the danish?
You could drizzle with icing, sprinkle with powdered sugar, or even top with a few more fresh berries for added flavor.

8. Can I make these into mini danishes?
Definitely! Simply cut the puff pastry into smaller squares and reduce the baking time slightly.

9. What can I serve with the danish?
A side of fresh fruit, a smoothie, or a hot drink like coffee or tea would pair wonderfully with this treat.

10. Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
You could try substituting dairy-free cream cheese and puff pastry, but the texture may differ slightly.

Conclusion

This Cherry Cheese Danish is more than just a pastry – it’s a little moment of joy that’ll brighten your day with every flaky, creamy, sweet bite. Perfect for any occasion, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Give it a try, and let it become your new favorite treat!

Cherry Cheese Danish

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A delicious, flaky pastry filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture and topped with a cherry filling.

Author: Grace Sullivan
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 33 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 sheet puff pastry
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
1/4 cup cherry pie filling
1 tbsp powdered sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut into squares or rectangles (about 4 pieces).
In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Spoon a generous amount of the cream cheese mixture onto the center of each puff pastry square.
Fold the edges of the pastry over the filling to form a square or triangle shape, pinching the corners to seal.
Brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg wash.
Place a small spoonful of cherry pie filling on top of each pastry.
Place the pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

For a more decadent flavor, add a drizzle of icing over the top after baking.
Ensure the cream cheese filling is smooth for a creamy texture inside the pastry.
Feel free to use other fruit fillings like blueberry or strawberry for variety.