Get ready to transform your kitchen into a Danish bakery with these irresistible Mini Cranberry Cheese Danishes that will make your taste buds dance with delight! Imagine biting into a perfectly flaky puff pastry, revealing a creamy, tangy cream cheese filling studded with burst-in-your-mouth fresh cranberries. These elegant little treats are not just a dessert – they're a gourmet experience that looks like it came straight from a professional pastry shop, but can be whipped up in just 35 minutes. Whether you're hosting a brunch, impressing guests, or treating yourself to a luxurious morning pastry, these danishes are about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Danish
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 1 package puff pastry, thawed
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon juice until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Gently unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the pastry into 12 equal squares.
- Using a smaller knife, create a light border around each square, about 1/2 inch from the edge, without cutting all the way through. This will help create a raised border when baking.
- Spread a generous spoonful of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each pastry square, leaving the border clear.
- Top each danish with fresh cranberries, distributing them evenly over the cream cheese filling.
- Brush the exposed pastry edges with beaten egg to ensure a golden, shiny finish when baked.
- Transfer the prepared danishes to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown and the cranberries are slightly softened.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Optional: Dust with additional powdered sugar before serving for extra sweetness.
Tips
- Ensure your puff pastry is completely thawed but still cold for the flakiest results.
- Use room temperature cream cheese to create a smoother, lump-free filling.
- Don't skip the egg wash - it's the secret to that gorgeous golden, shiny pastry finish.
- Space your danishes evenly on the baking sheet to allow proper air circulation.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a tiny drop of vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture.
- Fresh cranberries work best, but you can substitute with dried cranberries if needed.
- Let the danishes cool slightly before serving to allow the filling to set and prevent burning.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 45mg
