Indulge your taste buds with a delightful treat that combines the flakiness of puff pastry with the creamy richness of cheese and the sweet burst of cherries! Our Easy Cherry Cheese Danish is not just a dessert; it’s a little slice of heaven that you can whip up in no time. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon snack, this recipe is sure to impress your family and friends. With just a handful of ingredients and a mere 40 minutes of your time, you’ll have a batch of these irresistible danishes ready to savor. Ready to elevate your baking game? Let’s dive into this scrumptious recipe!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 package of puff pastry
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 can cherry pie filling
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Thaw the puff pastry according to package instructions, typically about 30 minutes at room temperature until it's pliable but still cold.
- In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, using an electric mixer or whisk.
- Unfold the puff pastry sheets and cut each sheet into 4 equal squares, creating 8 total pastry squares.
- Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each pastry square, leaving a border around the edges.
- Top the cream cheese mixture with 1-2 tablespoons of cherry pie filling in the center of each square.
- Fold the corners of each pastry square slightly towards the center, creating a rustic, open-faced danish shape.
- Brush the exposed pastry edges with beaten egg wash to ensure a golden, shiny finish.
- Place the prepared danishes on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each pastry.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Optional: Dust with powdered sugar before serving for extra sweetness.
Tips
- Puff Pastry Perfection: Make sure to thaw your puff pastry properly to achieve that light, flaky texture. It should be pliable but still cold when you work with it.
- Cream Cheese Consistency: For the best results, ensure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature. This will make it easier to blend with the sugar and vanilla, resulting in a smooth filling.
- Cherry Filling Variation: Feel free to get creative! While cherry pie filling is delicious, you can substitute it with other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or even a mix of your favorites for a unique twist.
- Golden Finish: Don’t skip the egg wash! Brushing the edges of the pastry with a beaten egg gives the danishes that beautiful golden color and a glossy finish.
- Cooling Time: Allow the danishes to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set and makes them easier to handle.
- Sweeten the Deal: For an extra touch of sweetness, dust your danishes with powdered sugar just before serving. It adds a lovely finishing touch that looks as good as it tastes!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 42g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 65mg
