Cherry Cheese Danish

A pair of cherry danishes, elegantly adorned with almond slices, rest on a white plate. In the background, a tempting array of pastries and vibrant cherry filling awaits discovery.

Love pastries that look fancy but are deceptively simple to make? This cherry danish recipe is the ultimate treat! With buttery layers of puff pastry, a creamy cheese filling, and sweet-tart cherry topping, it’s the perfect dessert you can throw together in just 30 minutes.

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

Servings: 6

Equipment

Hand Mixer
Mixing Bowls
baking sheet
parchment paper

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese softened
⅓ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 sheet puff pastry thawed
1 egg yolk separated
1 tablespoon milk
21 ounces cherry pie filling
⅓ cup slivered almonds optional

Instructions

Prep the Pastry: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lay out the thawed puff pastry sheets and cut each into six rectangles (12 total). Score a ½-inch border around each rectangle, cutting halfway through. Use a fork to prick the center to prevent excessive puffing.
Assemble the Base: In a bowl, beat together cream cheese, granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Spread the mixture evenly over the center of each pastry, avoiding the border. Spoon the cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer, gently spreading it out.
Egg Wash: Transfer the pastry rectangles to a baking sheet, spaced 1 inch apart. Whisk the egg and milk, then brush the mixture over the pastry borders.
Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown and puffed up. Transfer pastries to a wire rack to cool slightly.

Heather's Helpful Hints

Prep the Filling and Dough: Stir the cherry pie filling to mix up the cherries because they all sink to the bottom. Score the bottom of the Danish to help the sides separate from the middle.
Cut and Transfer with Ease: Use a pizza cutter to slice along the dough seams and a bench scraper to transfer Danishes intact.
Baking & Sweetness: Bake for 18-20 minutes. Add a glaze if desired, but it's already quite sweet.
Flavor Options: Swap vanilla for almond extract or use both for extra flavor depth.
Reheating Tips: For crispiness, reheat in the oven or air fryer (3-5 minutes); otherwise, it may get soggy in the microwave.

Nutrition

This recipe was found on My Sweet Precision. Thank you for visiting!