Quick Cherry Danish Recipe: A Sweet Cream Cheese Dream
Delicate pastry meets creamy indulgence in this irresistible cherry Danish with sweet cream cheese that promises to melt hearts.
Flaky layers of buttery dough embrace a luscious filling that balances tangy cream cheese and bright cherry notes.
Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that dance across your palate.
Soft, pillowy pastry wraps around a rich cream cheese core studded with vibrant cherry jewels.
The golden-brown edges promise a crisp crunch that contrasts beautifully with the smooth interior.
Simple ingredients combine to create a bakery-worthy treat you can easily craft at home.
This Danish stands ready to become your new weekend breakfast showstopper or elegant dessert centerpiece.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15min
Cook Time: 25min
Total Time: 40min
Calories: 275 kcal
Servings: 9
Ingredients List for Cherry Danish with Sweet Cream Cheese
For Base and Filling:
Frozen Puff Pastry: Delicate, flaky foundation that creates a crisp, golden exterior with layers of buttery goodness.
Cream Cheese: Smooth, tangy base that provides rich, velvety texture and deep flavor complexity.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese filling and balances the tanginess.
Egg Yolk: Adds richness, helps bind ingredients, and creates a gorgeous golden sheen.
Vanilla Extract: Infuses warm, aromatic notes that enhance overall sweetness.
Lemon Juice: Brightens the filling with a subtle citrusy tang and helps balance richness.
Salt: Elevates and harmonizes all flavor profiles.
For Fruit Topping:
Fresh Cherries: Juicy burst of natural sweetness that adds vibrant color and fresh fruity dimension.
For Finishing Touches:
Powdered Sugar: Creates silky, smooth glaze with delicate sweetness.
Milk: Thins the glaze to perfect drizzling consistency.
Extra Egg Yolk: Provides beautiful golden brown glaze when brushed on pastry surface.
Baking Tools for Cherry Danish
Electric mixer: Perfect for blending cream cheese mixture smoothly and quickly.
Parchment paper: Essential for preventing pastry from sticking and ensuring easy cleanup.
Rolling pin: Helps roll out the pastry evenly and delicately.
Pizza cutter or kitchen scissors: Great for cutting precise pastry strips for braiding.
Baking sheet: Provides a stable surface for baking the danish.
Mixing bowl: Needed for preparing cream cheese filling and glaze.
Pastry brush: Helps apply egg wash evenly for a golden, shiny finish.
Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
Step-by-Step for Making Cherry Danish
Pastry Foundation
Thawing Session Pastry becomes soft and pliable after resting at room temperature, preparing for delicious transformation.
Creamy Filling Blend cream cheese with sweet ingredients creating a silky smooth mixture that will become the danish's heart.
Pastry Preparation Gently roll out delicate puff pastry on clean surface, creating a smooth canvas for your culinary artwork.
Filling Placement Spread cream cheese mixture down center of pastry, leaving generous borders for elegant folding.
Cherry Distribution Scatter vibrant cherries across creamy landscape, adding bursts of fruity excitement.
Decorative Braiding Slice pastry sides into delicate strips, carefully weaving them over filling to create beautiful woven pattern.
Egg Wash Gentle brushing with beaten egg gives pastry a gorgeous golden shine and professional finish.
Baking Magic Transform danish in hot oven, watching it puff and turn gorgeous amber color, filling kitchen with incredible aroma.
Finishing Touch Drizzle light glaze over cooled pastry, creating elegant sweet finish that makes danish irresistible.
Tips for a Better Cherry Danish with Cream Cheese
Swap cherries with raspberries, blueberries, or peach chunks for a delightful flavor twist. Fresh or frozen fruits work perfectly, offering seasonal variety.
Experiment with different flavor additions like almond extract, orange zest, or a touch of cinnamon to elevate the cream cheese filling's complexity.
Prepare the Danish up to the braiding stage, then refrigerate overnight. Pop it in the oven directly from the fridge, adding 5-10 minutes to baking time for a stress-free breakfast option.
Enhance the topping by adding a sprinkle of sliced almonds or a drizzle of chocolate after glazing for extra texture and visual appeal.
How to Serve Cherry Danish
Breakfast Companion Harmony: Pair this delightful cherry danish with a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee or a smooth cappuccino for a morning treat that elevates your breakfast experience.
Afternoon Tea Elegance: Serve this pastry on a beautiful ceramic plate during afternoon tea, creating a sophisticated dessert moment that transforms a simple snack into a gourmet indulgence.
Dessert Presentation Charm: Dust the danish with extra powdered sugar and add a small mint leaf for a professional touch that makes the pastry look restaurant-worthy and visually appealing to guests.
Weekend Brunch Star: Slice the danish into smaller portions for a potluck or brunch gathering, allowing friends to enjoy bite-sized pieces of this delectable sweet creation.
How to Store Cherry Danish Pastries
Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store your freshly baked cherry danish in an airtight container within the refrigerator for optimal freshness, keeping it delicious for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing Magic: Wrap individual danish pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container to maintain quality for approximately 2 weeks, ensuring a quick sweet treat anytime.
Room Temperature Tip: If serving within 24 hours, keep the danish covered at room temperature on a kitchen counter, away from direct sunlight or heat sources to maintain its crispy texture.
Reheating Wisdom: Warm individual slices in a preheated oven at 325°F for 5-7 minutes to restore the pastry's original flaky consistency and revive the cream cheese filling's creamy texture.
Homemade cherry danish showcases delicate pastry layers filled with creamy cheese and tangy cherries. Danish pastries combine flaky textures with rich European baking traditions you can savor with morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Ingredients
Scale
6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, softened
21 oz (595 g) original country cherry, 1 can, drained
1 sheet puff pastry
¼ cup (50 g) sugar
¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
1 egg yolk
1 large egg yolk, for brushing on the danish
3 tbsps (45 ml) milk
¼ tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp lemon juice
1 pinch salt
Instructions
Pastry Preparation: Thaw frozen pastry at room temperature for 30 minutes while keeping it folded to maintain structural integrity.
Cream Cheese Filling: Blend cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and salt until achieving a smooth, silky texture using an electric mixer.
Pastry Assembly: Lay parchment paper on baking sheet, unfold pastry, dust with flour, and roll out carefully. Create a central cream cheese filling strip, leaving margins on both sides.
Cherry Distribution: Evenly scatter fresh cherries across the cream cheese filling, ensuring balanced coverage.
Braiding Technique: Make diagonal cuts along pastry edges, maintaining a small border near the filling. Weave pastry strips across the filling, alternating sides to create an elegant braided design with visible cherries.
Egg Wash and Baking: Brush pastry surface with beaten egg yolk. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for 25 minutes until achieving a rich, golden-brown color.
Glazing Finish: Whisk powdered sugar and milk to create a smooth glaze. Once danish reaches room temperature, drizzle glaze generously across the surface and allow to set before serving.
Notes
Pastry Softening Strategy: Let frozen puff pastry thaw at room temperature for exactly 30 minutes, keeping it folded to prevent cracking or structural damage.
Cream Cheese Mixing Technique: Use low-speed electric mixer to create a smooth, lump-free filling, ensuring ingredients blend uniformly without overworking the mixture.
Braiding Pro Tip: Make precise diagonal cuts along pastry edges, maintaining a small border near filling to prevent leakage and achieve a professional-looking braid.
Golden Brown Perfection: Brush pastry with beaten egg yolk before baking to create a rich, glossy exterior and enhance overall color and shine.
Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.
Sophie Martin
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Education
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.