Quick and Easy Cherry Cream Cheese Danishes Recipe
If you’re hunting for a show-stopping treat that requires zero fuss, look no further than these Quick and Easy Cherry Cream Cheese Danishes. They’re utterly irresistible: buttery, flaky puff pastry cradling a dreamy vanilla cream cheese filling, topped with luscious cherry pie filling and finished with a flourish of chocolate shavings. This winning combination brings big bakery flavor right to your kitchen, and you won’t believe how foolproof the steps are. Whether you’re craving a special weekend breakfast, hosting brunch, or want a sweet pick-me-up, these danishes are about to become your new go-to recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed at how just a handful of ingredients—each one pulling its weight—come together to make these danishes pop with flavor, color, and texture. Let’s break down the essentials and why you need every single one.
- Puff Pastry Dough: Ready-made and thawed, this gives you instant flaky, golden perfection without the effort of homemade dough.
- Cream Cheese: Softened for easy mixing, it creates the rich, tangy base for the filling.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a splash adds that signature bakery aroma and a sweet, cozy depth.
- Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese and helps balance the tang and fruitiness.
- Canned Cherry Pie Filling: Juicy, vibrant cherries bring the perfect pop of color and jammy tartness.
- Egg + Water (Egg Wash): Helps the pastry bake to a glossy, deeply golden finish for that irresistible crunch.
- Shaved Chocolate (Optional): Sprinkle for a bit of chocolatey drama—totally optional, but highly recommended.
How to Make Quick and Easy Cherry Cream Cheese Danishes
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Sheet
Let’s get the party started by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat—this not only keeps cleanup a breeze but also ensures your danishes won’t stick and will bake up perfectly crisp.
Step 2: Shape the Puff Pastry
Sprinkle a little flour on your surface and roll out the thawed puff pastry into a 12 by 9-inch rectangle. Slice the dough in half lengthwise so you have two long strips. Then, cut each strip into thirds so you wind up with six rectangles, each about 4 by 4.5 inches. Gently score a half-inch border around the edge of each rectangle and prick the inside several times with a fork—this clever trick keeps just the border puffy while the center stays flat, ready to be filled.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
In a bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until it’s silky smooth and luscious. This heavenly mix goes right in the center of each rectangle: spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons into the middle and spread it evenly, keeping inside the scored border to avoid any runaway filling while baking.
Step 4: Add the Cherry Topping
Take your cherry pie filling and, using a spoon, nestle about six cherries right into the center of that cream cheese layer. Don’t worry about being super precise; it’s all about getting that perfect bite with every mouthful.
Step 5: Egg Wash the Edges
Whisk together your egg and a splash of water to make a simple egg wash, then brush it all around the borders of each pastry square. This one small step makes a world of difference: it gives you that signature glossy, golden edge only seen in the prettiest bakery windows.
Step 6: Bake and Finish
Bake the danishes on the middle oven rack for 20 minutes, rotating the tray halfway for even color. Once done, move them to a wire rack to cool slightly. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, and, for that over-the-top touch, finish with chocolate shavings. These are just as dreamy at room temp as they are warm from the oven.
How to Serve Quick and Easy Cherry Cream Cheese Danishes
Garnishes
Nothing beats a cloud of powdered sugar snowing over your fresh-baked pastries, but don’t stop there—shaved chocolate adds sophistication, while a few extra fresh cherries or a sprig of mint gives each plate that “wow” factor. If you want a glossy finish, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup never hurts.
Side Dishes
These danishes pair beautifully with just about anything: a big mug of creamy coffee, a tall glass of cold milk, or a fresh fruit salad. For brunch, round out the spread with crispy bacon or scrambled eggs for a delicious sweet-and-savory contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For a brunch buffet, nestle your Quick and Easy Cherry Cream Cheese Danishes on a vintage cake stand or a rustic wooden board and sprinkle edible flowers around for a bakery-meets-garden look. Make mini versions for a tea party or arrange them in a pretty box as a heartfelt edible gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, let your danishes cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for about three days and still taste incredible as a next-day snack or breakfast treat.
Freezing
To freeze your Quick and Easy Cherry Cream Cheese Danishes, wrap each pastry individually in plastic wrap and store them all in a freezer bag or airtight container. They’ll keep for up to a month—just thaw in the fridge overnight before eating.
Reheating
To revive that just-baked magic, pop your danish into a preheated 325 degree oven for about 5–7 minutes, or until warmed through. This keeps the pastry crisp and the filling creamy, as opposed to microwaving, which can make everything a bit soggy.
FAQs
Can I use homemade cherry pie filling?
Absolutely! Homemade cherry pie filling can make these danishes even more special. Just be sure it’s thick and not too runny so it stays nestled in the pastry as it bakes.
What if I don’t have puff pastry?
While puff pastry is truly unbeatable for flakiness, you could try crescent roll dough in a pinch. Just know the texture will be softer and less crisp, but still tasty!
Is there a dairy-free version of this recipe?
Yes! Swap the cream cheese for a dairy-free alternative and make sure to use dairy-free puff pastry (many store-bought versions are accidentally vegan). The rest of the method stays exactly the same.
Can I use other fruits instead of cherries?
Definitely. Blueberries, strawberries, or even diced peaches are fantastic swaps for cherries. Use any fruit pie filling you love or even a swirl of preserves.
How do I avoid soggy bottoms on my danishes?
Scoring the pastry and pricking the center with a fork helps, but make sure not to overload with filling. Also, baking on parchment or a silicone mat and letting the danishes cool on a wire rack keeps the bottoms crisp.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about pulling a tray of Quick and Easy Cherry Cream Cheese Danishes out of the oven and watching them disappear within minutes. If you’ve been craving a sweet escape that doubles as a heartfelt homemade treat, give these danishes a try—you might find yourself baking a batch every weekend!
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Quick and Easy Cherry Cream Cheese Danishes Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 danishes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight your taste buds with these quick and easy cherry cream cheese danishes. Flaky puff pastry filled with a creamy cheese mixture and sweet cherry pie filling, these danishes are perfect for breakfast or a sweet treat any time of day.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry Dough:
- 1 sheet Puff Pastry dough, thawed
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 4 Tbsp Sugar
Cherry Filling:
- 1 1/2 cup canned Cherry Pie Filling
Egg Wash:
- 1 Egg + 2 Tablespoons water, whisked for egg wash
Optional Topping:
- Shaved Chocolate, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet.
- Prepare pastry: Roll out thawed puff pastry into a 12×9″ rectangle. Cut into pieces and score borders. Prick dough inside the border.
- Make filling: Mix softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Spread onto pastry pieces. Add cherries on top of the cheese mixture.
- Egg wash: Brush egg wash around the edges of the pastry.
- Bake: Bake for 20 minutes until golden. Cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature, dusted with powdered sugar and shaved chocolate.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 danish
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: cherry cream cheese danish, puff pastry, breakfast pastry, sweet danish, easy dessert
