Description
A quick and easy homemade cherry cheese danish recipe with flaky puff pastry, creamy cheese filling, and sweet cherry topping. Perfect for brunch or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed (about 8 oz)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp fresh lemon zest (optional)
- 1/2 cup cherry pie filling
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp milk (for egg wash)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to smooth creases.
- Cut pastry into 8 rectangles (about 3×4 inches each) using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
- Arrange rectangles on prepared baking sheet, spacing them out.
- Use a paring knife to lightly score a 1/2-inch border inside each rectangle (don’t cut through).
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest together until smooth.
- Spoon about 1 tablespoon of cheese mixture into the center of each pastry, staying inside the scored border.
- Top cheese mixture with about 1 tablespoon of cherry pie filling.
- Brush pastry edges with egg wash (egg beaten with milk) for golden color.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes until pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Let cool slightly, dust with powdered sugar if desired, and serve.
Notes
For best results, keep puff pastry cold until ready to use. You can substitute other pie fillings like blueberry or apple. Crescent roll dough can be used in place of puff pastry. For a less sweet danish, reduce the sugar in the filling. Vegan or lactose-free cream cheese can be substituted.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Brunch, Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 danish
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 13
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: cherry cheese danish recipe, easy danish, brunch pastry, homemade cherry danish