Dreamy Cherry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe for Sweet Mornings

Flaky pastry layers and rich cream cheese create a breakfast masterpiece that melts in your mouth with this irresistible cherry cream cheese Danish recipe.

Golden-brown edges promise a delightful crunch with every bite.

Sweet cherries nestled in velvety cream cheese filling deliver a burst of fruity elegance.

The delicate pastry whispers promises of indulgence and comfort.

Each Danish offers a perfect balance of tangy cream cheese and bright cherry notes.

Breakfast or brunch feels instantly special with these elegant, homemade pastries.

You’ll love how simple ingredients come together to create something extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 28 minutes

Calories: 305 kcal

Servings: 9

Cherry Cream Cheese Danish Ingredient Breakdown

• Puff Pastry Sheets: Delivers light, flaky foundation that creates stunning layered texture with delicate, buttery crunch.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides smooth surface for rolling and preventing pastry from sticking during preparation.

• Cream Cheese: Brings rich, tangy creaminess that balances sweet cherry flavor with smooth, luxurious texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds balanced sweetness and helps cream cheese mixture become silky and spreadable.
• Almond Extract: Introduces delicate, nutty undertone that elevates overall flavor profile with sophisticated essence.
• Cherry Pie Filling: Delivers vibrant, juicy burst of fruity sweetness with deep, concentrated cherry flavor.

• Large Egg: Creates golden, glossy exterior that gives pastries professional, appetizing shine.
• Water: Helps egg wash blend smoothly and adhere perfectly to pastry edges.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Provides elegant, soft dusting that adds visual appeal and subtle additional sweetness.

Tools to Shape and Bake Cherry Danishes

• Baking Sheets: Large, preferably with parchment paper for easy cleanup and preventing sticking.
• Fork: For poking holes in pastry dough and creating texture.
• Medium Bowl: For mixing cream cheese filling smoothly.
• Small Bowl: For preparing egg wash and whisking ingredients.
• Whisk: To blend egg and water evenly for golden pastry edges.
• Measuring Tablespoon: For precise filling distribution.
• Sharp Knife or Pastry Cutter: To divide puff pastry sheets into equal rectangles.
• Pastry Brush: For applying egg wash onto pastry edges.
• Cooling Rack (optional): To help pastries cool evenly after baking.

Step-by-Step to Cherry Cream Cheese Danish

• Pastry Preparation

Unroll delicate puff pastry on a lightly dusted surface, slicing each sheet into six beautiful rectangles.

• Pastry Arrangement

Spread the pastry pieces onto parchment-lined baking sheets, giving them breathing room between each delicate square.

• Pastry Foundation

Gently pierce the center of each pastry with a fork, creating tiny pathways that allow the edges to rise while creating a cozy space for filling.

• Creamy Mixture

Blend cream cheese with sweet sugar and a whisper of almond extract until silky smooth.

• Filling Magic

Dollop a generous spoonful of cream cheese in the pastry’s center, then crown it with vibrant cherry pie filling.

• Egg Wash Elegance

Whisk egg with water and tenderly brush the pastry edges, creating a golden shimmer.

• Baking Transformation

Slide the baking sheets into a hot oven, letting the pastries transform into golden, puffy clouds for 15-18 minutes.

• Final Touch

Dust the warm pastries with a delicate snowfall of powdered sugar, then let them rest briefly before serving these heavenly treats.

Danish Tips to Improve Texture and Taste

• Swap cherries with blueberry, raspberry, or apricot preserves for a personalized fruity twist.
• Prepare the cream cheese mixture and cut pastry rectangles the night before, storing them separately in the refrigerator to save morning preparation time.
• Roll out puff pastry gently to maintain its delicate layers and prevent tough, dense danishes that lose their signature flakiness.
• Enhance the cream cheese filling by adding a pinch of cinnamon, vanilla bean seeds, or orange zest for deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
• Store leftover danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness – simply reheat in the oven for 3-4 minutes to restore their crisp texture.

Serving Cherry Danish at Home or Events

• Brunch Bliss Platter: Arrange these danishes alongside fresh berries, a sprinkle of mint leaves, and a light yogurt drizzle for a stunning morning spread that wows guests.
• Dessert Wine Pairing: Serve with a chilled moscato or sweet riesling to complement the cherry's tartness and the cream cheese's rich texture, creating an elegant after-dinner treat.
• Coffee Companion: Place these warm pastries on a rustic wooden board with espresso or cappuccino for a delightful mid-morning indulgence that feels like a cozy café experience.
• Afternoon Tea Centerpiece: Create a sophisticated display with these danishes, adding delicate lace doilies, vintage teacups, and a small vase of fresh flowers for a charming teatime presentation.

How to Store and Reheat Danish Easily

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store these delightful danishes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cool environment helps maintain their delicate texture and prevents the cream cheese from spoiling.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the unbaked danishes up to 24 hours in advance. Assemble completely, cover with plastic wrap, and keep chilled in the refrigerator. Bake directly from the cold state for fresh-from-the-oven goodness.
• Freezing Friendly: Wrap individual cooled danishes tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. They'll stay delicious for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat briefly in the oven to restore their crispy texture.
• Smart Serving Tips: Bring refrigerated danishes to room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving. This helps restore their flaky pastry and brings out the full richness of the cream cheese and cherry filling.

Dreamy Cherry Cream Cheese Danish

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 28 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Danish pastry perfection emerges with this cherry cream cheese danish, blending sweet cherries and tangy cream cheese in a flaky, golden-brown pastry. Delicate layers promise a delightful breakfast or dessert you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 sheets puff pastry (frozen, thawed)
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese (softened)
• 1 can 21 oz (595 g) cherry pie filling
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp (5 mL) almond extract
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) water
• Confectioners’ sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Set oven to 400°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating an ideal baking environment for delicate pastries.
2. Shape and Portion: Unfurl puff pastry sheets on a floured surface, dividing each into 6 precise rectangular segments, ensuring uniform size and structure.
3. Ventilate and Prepare Base: Puncture pastry centers with a fork, establishing strategic air channels while maintaining elevated outer edges, then arrange on prepared baking sheets with adequate spacing.
4. Craft Cream Cheese Mixture: Blend cream cheese, sugar, and almond extract until achieving a silky, homogeneous filling that promises rich, luxurious flavor.
5. Assemble Danish: Deposit a generous dollop of cream cheese mixture into each pastry center, then cascade cherry pie filling atop, distributing evenly to create a vibrant, appetizing topping.
6. Finish and Glaze: Whisk egg with water to create a luminous coating, meticulously brushing pastry borders to encourage beautiful caramelization and glossy appearance.
7. Bake and Transform: Slide baking sheets into the preheated oven, allowing pastries to metamorphose for 15-18 minutes until they reach a stunning golden-brown complexion.
8. Garnish and Serve: Dust warm danishes with confectioners’ sugar, creating a delicate, sweet finale before presenting these elegant pastries.

Notes

• Precision Matters: Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother, lump-free filling that blends effortlessly and spreads evenly across pastry.
• Pastry Performance: Keep puff pastry chilled until ready to use, preventing butter from melting and ensuring flaky, crisp layers during baking.
• Spacing Strategy: Allow adequate space between pastries on baking sheet to promote even air circulation and prevent edges from sticking together.
• Glaze Technique: Apply egg wash carefully around pastry edges to create a beautiful golden-brown shine and help seal the danish’s delicate borders.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Danish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 305
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg