Easy Cherry Danish with Cream Cheese
This easy cherry danish recipe uses frozen pastry dough and cherry pie filling to make delicious cream cheese cherry danish. It’s the perfect addition to family breakfasts or weekend brunch with friends.
If you’re looking for an easy yet impressive breakfast or brunch recipe, look no further than these homemade cherry danish made with frozen puff pastry dough.
This recipe is for people who want to impress their family with a fresh, homemade treat. Using premade pastry dough makes this recipe a breeze to whip up, and the delicious cherry filling will have everyone asking for seconds.
With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a warm and flaky pastry that’s sure to become a family favorite.
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Ingredients You’ll Need
- Frozen puff pastry – This recipe is made with store-bought puff pastry. We typically use frozen puff pastry, but if you can find some in the refrigerated section, that works too!
- Cream cheese – We’re filling these danish with sweetened cream cheese and cherries. Make sure you soften the cream cheese before using.
- Confectioner’s sugar – A little powdered sugar gives you a perfectly sweet cream cheese. It’s also used to make the glaze.
- Vanilla extract – This adds a little extra flavor to the cream cheese mixture and the glaze.
- Cherry pie filling – This premade cherry filling is perfect for danish. You’ll have more than you need so purchase some extra puff pastry dough and make our cherry turnovers or make these simple no bake cherry cheesecakes OR our even easier cherry cheesecake dip!
- Egg – A single egg is mixed with water to make an egg wash which give the danish a golden brown and slightly shiny finish.
- Milk – You’ll need a small amount of milk to make your glaze.
Instructions
Step 1 – Prepare. Preheat oven to 400F. Take the puff pastry dough out of the refrigerator or freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
Step 2 – Cream cheese filling. Mix cream cheese, confectioner’s sugar, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract together until thoroughly combined.
Step 3 – Egg wash. In a small bowl make a simple egg wash by whisking the egg and water together. Set aside.
Step 4 – Cut and fold puff pastry. Unfold thawed puff pastry sheet and cut into 4 equal pieces. Place the squares of dough on the baking sheet spaced approximately 2 inches apart. Depending on the size of your baking sheet you may need more than one to bake all 8 danish.
Lightly brush the edges of each square of pastry dough with egg wash. Then fold each corner into the center.
Step 5 – Add the cream cheese filling. Place 2 tablespoons of the sweetened cream cheese mixture in the center of each square. Use the back of the tablespoon to gently press down on the cream cheese making an indentation that will hold the cherries.
Step 6 – Add cherry filling. Top the cream cheese mixture with two tablespoons of cherry pie filling. Approximately 3 cherries each.
Step 7 – Bake. Brush the exposed puff pastry dough with egg wash. Place in a 400 degree F oven to bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 8 – Cool. Once the pastry has finished baking remove it from the oven and let it cool completely. Approximately 1 hour.
Step 9 – Glaze. When the pastry has cooled to room temperature mix up your glaze by mixing the confectioner’s sugar, milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract together.
Drizzle the glaze over the pastries and let it set.
Step 10 – Serve. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
More Puff Pastry Recipes
Love buttery, flakey, puff pastry? Try some of our other easy recipes made with puff pastry!
- Puff Pastry Pecan Pies
- Asparagus Goat Cheese Tart
- Parmesan Puff Pastry Pinwheels
- Spinach Puff Pastries
- Easy Chocolate Croissant Recipe
- Cheese Twists
- Samoa Napoleon Cake {Mille-Feuille}
- Lemon Berry Napoleon
What is in a traditional Danish pastry?
A traditional Danish pastry, also known as a “Danish” or “wienerbrød” in Danish, is a sweet, flaky pastry that originated in Denmark. The pastry is made from laminated yeast dough, which is layered with butter and then rolled, folded, and chilled several times to create a flaky, buttery texture.
The most common types of Danish pastry fillings include fruit preserves such as apricot, raspberry, and cherry, as well as cream cheese, almond paste, and chocolate. The pastry is often shaped into a variety of shapes, including spirals, braids, and pockets, and is topped with a sweet glaze or icing.
In addition to the classic fillings, modern variations of Danish pastry can include savory fillings such as ham and cheese, spinach and feta, and even bacon and egg. The pastry can also be flavored with spices such as cinnamon or cardamom to add an extra layer of flavor.
Variations of Cherry Danish
There are endless possibilities when it comes to variations of cherry danish. You can use different fillings such as lemon, blueberry, raspberry, peaches, or cream cheese, or even add in some nuts or chocolate.
Experiment with different types of pastry dough or try making a mini version for a fun twist on this classic pastry.
How to Store Them
Refrigerator – Cherry Danish with cream cheese should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Before serving, you can reheat them in the oven at a low temperature to make them warm and crispy again. However, keep in mind that the longer you store Cherry Danish, the more likely they are to lose their texture and flavor.
Freezer – To freeze them, wrap the pastries tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container or plastic bag. The pastries can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
Remove them from the freezer to thaw frozen cherry danish and let them come to room temperature. Once thawed, you can reheat them in the oven at a low temperature to make them warm and crispy again. However, remember that the longer you freeze them, the more likely they are to lose their texture and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
To properly thaw premade pastry dough, remove it from the freezer let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before using it. Do not microwave or use hot water to thaw the dough, as this can cause it to become too soft and difficult to work with.
Yes, pastries with cream cheese filling should be refrigerated to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Cream cheese is a perishable dairy product and can spoil if left at room temperature for too long.
To store pastries with cream cheese filling, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to three months.
Before serving, you can reheat the pastries in the oven at a low temperature to make them warm and crispy again. However, keep in mind that the longer you store them, the more likely they are to lose their texture and flavor.
Yes, you can use different fillings for your danish pastries. Some popular options include chocolate, nuts, or savory fillings like spinach and feta. Be creative and experiment with different flavors to find your favorite!
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Cherry Danish
Ingredients
Danish
- 2 sheets Frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 8 ounces Cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup Confectioner’s sugar
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 1 can Cherry pie filling
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tablespoon Water
Glaze
- ½ cup Confectioner’s sugar
- 2 teaspoons Milk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Take the puff pastry dough out of the refrigerator or freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- Mix cream cheese, confectioner’s sugar, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract together until thoroughly combined.
- In a small bowl make a simple egg wash by whisking the egg and water together. Set aside.
- Unfold thawed puff pastry sheet and cut into 4 equal pieces.
- Place the squares of dough on the baking sheet spaced approximately 2 inches apart. Depending on the size of your baking sheet you may need more than one to bake all 8 danish.
- Lightly brush the edges of each square of pastry dough with egg wash. Then fold each corner into the center.
- Place 2 tablespoons of the sweetened cream cheese mixture in the center of each square. Use the back of the tablespoon to gently press down on the cream cheese making an indentation that will hold the cherries.
- Top the cream cheese mixture with two tablespoons of cherry pie filling. Approximately 3 cherries each.
- Brush the exposed puff pastry dough with egg wash.
- Place in a 400 degree F oven to bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Once the pastry has finished baking remove it from the oven and let it cool completely. Approximately 1 hour.
- When the pastry has cooled to room temperature mix up your glaze by mixing the confectioner’s sugar, milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract together.
- Drizzle the glaze over the pastries and let it set.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Nutrition
