Cherry Danish are a stunning, bakery-quality pastry that brings the elegance of a European café right into your own kitchen, featuring flaky, buttery puff pastry wrapped around a luscious cream cheese filling and topped with sweet, jewel-toned cherries. This recipe is a masterclass in simplicity and sophistication, transforming a single sheet of frozen puff pastry into eight gorgeous, individual pastries that look and taste like they came from a professional patisserie. The magic begins with the delicate layering of flavors: a smooth, tangy cream cheese filling—enriched with egg yolk and brightened with a touch of lemon—provides the perfect creamy canvas for the sweet, jammy cherry topping. The technique of scoring a border into each pastry square ensures a beautiful, puffed edge that rises into a golden, flaky frame around the luscious filling.
The brilliance of this recipe lies in its foolproof method and the stunning presentation it achieves with minimal effort. Using store-bought puff pastry eliminates hours of laborious laminating, while the simple cream cheese filling and canned cherry pie filling (or quick homemade compote) come together in minutes. The final touch—a delicate drizzle of vanilla glaze—adds a professional finish and an extra layer of sweetness that perfectly complements the tangy cream cheese. These danishes are the perfect centerpiece for a brunch spread, an elegant addition to a holiday table, or a special treat with afternoon coffee. They prove that with a few quality ingredients and a little care, you can create something truly spectacular that will have everyone asking if you made them from scratch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Bakery-Quality Pastry at Home: Flaky, buttery puff pastry with a creamy, tangy filling and sweet cherry topping.
- Surprisingly Simple to Make: Uses frozen puff pastry and simple ingredients for a stunning result with minimal effort.
- Perfect for Brunch or Entertaining: Elegant individual pastries that are sure to impress guests.
- Customizable Filling: Easily swap the cherries for any fruit pie filling or homemade compote.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be assembled and baked fresh, or even frozen for later.
Ingredients:
For the Pastry:
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for dusting)
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
8 oz (226g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
For the Cherry Topping:
1 cup canned cherry pie filling or homemade cherry compote
For the Egg Wash:
1 large egg
1 tablespoon milk
For the Optional Glaze:
½ cup (60g) powdered sugar, sifted
1–2 tablespoons milk
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Prepare the Pastry
Lightly flour your work surface. Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet and gently roll it out just enough to smooth the seams. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the pastry into 8 equal squares. Transfer the squares to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Step 3: Score the Borders
Using a small, sharp knife, lightly score a smaller square inside each pastry square, about ½ inch from the edge. Be careful not to cut all the way through—this creates a raised border that will puff up around the filling.
Step 4: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar, vanilla extract, egg yolk, and lemon juice (if using). Beat until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
Step 5: Assemble the Danishes
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese filling into the center of each pastry square, spreading it slightly within the scored border. Top the cream cheese with about 1 tablespoon of cherry pie filling.
Step 6: Apply Egg Wash
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk to make the egg wash. Using a pastry brush, gently brush the egg wash over the outer border of each pastry (the raised edge, not the filling). This will give the pastries a beautiful, golden sheen.
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the pastries are puffed and a deep golden brown. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through for even browning.
Step 8: Cool Slightly
Remove from the oven and let the danishes cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before glazing.
Step 9: Make the Glaze (Optional) and Serve
While the danishes cool, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of milk, and vanilla extract. Add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach a thick but pourable consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the slightly cooled danishes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips:
- Keep Puff Pastry Cold: Work quickly and return any unused pastry to the refrigerator to keep it cold. Cold pastry puffs better.
- Don’t Overfill: Stick to about 1 tablespoon of each filling to prevent overflow during baking.
- Score Gently: The border should be scored, not cut through. This allows the edges to puff while the center stays flat.
- Customize Your Fruit: Use apple, blueberry, raspberry, or any fruit pie filling you love.
- Add Almond Flavor: For a twist, add ¼ teaspoon of almond extract to the cream cheese filling.
Storage Options:
- Room Temperature: Store glazed or unglazed danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator: For longer storage, keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature or warm slightly before serving.
- Freezing: Freeze unbaked, assembled danishes on a parchment-lined tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 5-10 minutes to the bake time. You can also freeze baked, unglazed danishes.
- Make-Ahead: Assemble the danishes completely (through Step 5), cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Brush with egg wash and bake directly from the fridge, adding a few minutes to the bake time.
Cherry Danishes are a celebration of simplicity and elegance. They deliver the flaky, buttery, creamy, and fruity perfection of a fine bakery pastry with the comfort and satisfaction of homemade baking, making every morning feel like a special occasion.
