Description
Homemade raspberry almond puff pastry danish combines delicate layers of flaky pastry with sweet raspberry filling and rich almond cream. Delightful Danish pastries offer European elegance with simple ingredients and quick preparation for home bakers seeking delicious results.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, room temperature
- ⅔ cup (160 ml) raspberry jam or preserves
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsps granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp almond extract
- Milk for brushing
- Pinch salt
- 1 cup (120 g) confectioner’s sugar
- 2 tbsps water, approximately, to thin
- ¼ tsp almond extract
- Pinch salt
- ¼ cup (30 g) sliced almonds, lightly toasted
Instructions
- Preheating: Warm the oven to 400°F (200°C) to create an optimal baking environment for the delicate pastry.
- Cream Cheese Preparation: Whisk egg, flour, sugar, salt, lemon juice, and almond extract into a silky mixture. Incorporate cream cheese until completely smooth and uniform.
- Pastry Foundation: Unfurl puff pastry onto parchment paper, slicing into two 10×5 inch rectangular shapes. Trace a three-quarter inch border around each rectangle to encourage dramatic edge rising during baking.
- Initial Baking: Brush pastry edges with milk and transfer to baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes until magnificently puffy and light. Remove from oven and gently depress the center to create a filling well.
- Filling and Second Bake: Spread cream cheese mixture across pastry bases, then artfully distribute raspberry jam in 4-5 generous dollops. Return to oven for an additional 15 minutes, covering with foil after first 5 minutes to prevent excessive browning. Pastries are ready when achieving a deep golden hue and cheese filling sets completely.
- Finishing Touches: Cool pastries completely. Whisk confectioner’s sugar, water, almond extract, and salt into a smooth glaze. Drizzle over cooled pastries and immediately garnish with sliced almonds. Allow glaze to set before serving.
Notes
- Pastry Temperature Tip: Keep puff pastry chilled until just before use to maintain its flaky, layered structure and prevent butter from melting prematurely.
- Cream Cheese Consistency: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for smooth blending and preventing lumpy filling.
- Egg Wash Alternative: If milk isn’t available, substitute with beaten egg for a more golden and glossy pastry exterior.
- Jam Distribution Technique: Use a piping bag or small spoon for precise, artistic jam placement to create professional-looking Danish pastries.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Danish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg