Luscious Cherry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe

Heavenly Cherry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe for Breakfast Bliss

Sweet mornings call for a delectable cherry cream cheese danish that promises pure indulgence.

This irresistible pastry blends creamy cheese and vibrant cherries into a buttery, flaky delight.

Homemade danish might seem challenging, but our simple recipe breaks down each step with ease.

Soft layers of golden pastry cradle a luscious cream cheese filling dotted with bright, tangy cherries.

The combination of rich cheese and sweet fruit creates a harmonious balance that dances across your palate.

Pastry lovers will adore how quickly this elegant breakfast treat comes together.

Prepare to impress everyone at the breakfast table with this crowd-pleasing danish that transforms an ordinary morning into something extraordinary.

Steps To Make Cherry Cream Cheese Danish Easily

  • Pastry Preparation

Roll out the delicate puff pastry on a lightly dusted surface. Create either four charming individual squares or keep it as one gorgeous centerpiece pastry.

  • Creamy Filling Magic

Blend soft cream cheese with sweet sugar, a splash of vanilla, and a hint of zesty lemon until silky smooth. This mixture transforms ordinary pastry into a decadent treat.

  • Danish Assembly

Gently spread the luxurious cream cheese mixture across your pastry canvas. Nestle vibrant cherry filling on top, creating a beautiful swirl of colors. For individual versions, fold pastry edges to cradle the luscious filling.

  • Golden Transformation

Lovingly brush pastry edges with a golden egg wash, promising a beautiful bronze finish. This simple touch ensures a stunning, professionally baked appearance.

  • Oven Alchemy

Slide your creation into a hot oven. Watch as the pastry rises and turns a magnificent golden brown, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. Bake until perfectly puffed and elegant.

  • Finishing Touch

Once cooled, drizzle a silky glaze over the danish, adding a final whisper of sweetness that makes each bite absolutely irresistible.

Tips For A Better Cherry Cream Cheese Danish

  • Chill Out with Pastry: Keep puff pastry cold until ready to use. Warm dough becomes sticky and difficult to handle, so work quickly and return to the refrigerator if it starts feeling soft.
  • Cream Cheese Smoothness: Ensure cream cheese is completely softened at room temperature to create a silky, lump-free filling that spreads effortlessly across the pastry.
  • Precision Matters: Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter for clean, even pastry cuts that help create beautiful, uniform Danish shapes.
  • Less is More with Filling: Avoid overfilling pastries, which can cause them to burst open during baking and create messy edges.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Replace traditional puff pastry with gluten-free puff pastry available in many specialty grocery stores for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Vegan Transformation: Swap cream cheese for dairy-free alternatives like almond or coconut cream cheese, and use plant-based egg wash substitute made from plant milk and maple syrup.
  • Low-Sugar Twist: Use sugar-free cherry filling and replace granulated sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener for a diabetic-friendly version.

Serving Cherry Cream Cheese Danish Made Simple

  • Breakfast Brilliance: Pair your cherry cream cheese Danish with a steaming cup of medium-roast coffee for a delightful morning treat.
  • Dessert Delight: Transform the Danish into a stunning evening dessert by adding a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a light dusting of powdered sugar.
  • Brunch Showcase: Create an elegant brunch spread by arranging the Danishes on a rustic wooden board with fresh berries and mint sprigs for a gorgeous presentation.
  • Party Perfection: Cut larger Danish into smaller bite-sized pieces for an impressive appetizer or potluck contribution that will wow your guests with minimal effort.

How To Store Cherry Cream Cheese Danish Well

Keep Danish pastries in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Refrigerate for extended freshness up to 4 days.

  • Freezing Magic: Wrap individual pastries in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags. Freeze unbaked or baked versions for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before enjoying.
  • Reheating Tricks: Warm refrigerated or thawed pastries in oven at 325F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispy texture. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy pastry.
  • Quick Prep Hack: Assemble Danish ahead of time and refrigerate unbaked for 24 hours. Brush with egg wash just before baking for maximum freshness and convenience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 7

What You Need For Cherry Cream Cheese Danish

For Pastry Base:
  • Puff Pastry: Delicate, flaky layers that create a buttery foundation for your sweet treat.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Helps prevent sticking when rolling out the pastry.
For Filling and Topping:
  • Cream Cheese: Provides rich, tangy smoothness to balance the sweet cherries.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps balance the cream cheese's tanginess.
  • Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, comforting aromatic notes.
  • Lemon Zest: Brightens the filling with a subtle citrusy freshness.
  • Cherry Pie Filling: Delivers burst of sweet-tart fruity goodness.
For Finishing Touches:
  • Egg: Creates beautiful golden shine and helps seal pastry edges.
  • Milk: Helps create perfect egg wash for glossy finish.
  • Powdered Sugar: Forms silky, sweet glaze to drizzle over finished pastries.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances glaze with delicate flavor.
  • Milk: Helps create smooth, pourable glaze consistency.

Tools For Baking Cherry Cream Cheese Danish

  • Baking Sheet: Essential for creating golden, crispy Danish pastries.
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
  • Rolling Pin: Perfect for smoothly rolling out puff pastry.
  • Small Mixing Bowls: Ideal for preparing cream cheese filling and glaze.
  • Whisk: Great for blending egg wash and mixing glaze ingredients.
  • Sharp Knife: Helps cut pastry into precise squares.
  • Pastry Brush: Crucial for applying golden egg wash.
  • Measuring Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
Print
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Luscious Cherry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe

Luscious Cherry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe


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4.5 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Danish pastry chefs perfected this cherry cream cheese danish with delicate, flaky layers and rich, tangy filling. Homemade comfort waits when you create this classic European treat in your own kitchen.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 sheet (8 oz/225 g) puff pastry, thawed
  • 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (120 g) cherry pie filling
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsps granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp lemon zest
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 400F (200C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a pristine workspace for crafting delicate pastries.
  2. Pastry Formation: Unfurl puff pastry on a flour-dusted surface, trimming into four symmetrical squares or maintaining a rustic whole-sheet approach, ensuring smooth, crease-free texture.
  3. Cream Cheese Filling: Whip cream cheese with sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until achieving a luxuriously smooth and creamy consistency that will elevate the Danish’s flavor profile.
  4. Assembly: Position a generous dollop of cream cheese mixture in the pastry’s center, top with vibrant cherry pie filling, then artfully fold corners inward, creating an elegant parcel that cradles the luscious ingredients.
  5. Egg Wash and Baking: Brush pastry edges with egg-milk mixture to promote a golden-brown exterior, then bake for 15-20 minutes until the Danish rises majestically and develops a crisp, amber-toned crust.
  6. Finishing Touch: Once slightly cooled, drizzle with a decadent glaze crafted from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, adding a glistening, sweet finale to these irresistible pastries.

Notes

  • Select Quality Ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality cream cheese and real butter puff pastry for the most luxurious texture and rich flavor profile.
  • Manage Pastry Temperature: Keep puff pastry chilled until just before use to ensure optimal flakiness and prevent butter from melting prematurely during preparation.
  • Control Filling Consistency: Avoid overloading pastry squares with cream cheese mixture to prevent soggy centers and ensure clean, crisp edges during baking.
  • Customize Fruit Options: Swap cherry pie filling with fresh seasonal berries, blueberry compote, or apricot preserves for versatile flavor variations that suit different taste preferences.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Danish

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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