Description
Delightful Danish pastry “cherry cheese danish” marries sweet cherries with rich cream cheese in a buttery, flaky embrace. Crisp golden layers and tangy fruit create a perfect breakfast or dessert that beckons you to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Filling:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon ricotta cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla extract)
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest
Pastry and Topping:
- 2 sheets puff pastry (1 box), thawed
- Flour (for dusting)
- 1 can cherry pie filling
Egg Wash:
- 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon of water
Instructions
- Craft the creamy cheese mixture by whipping softened cream cheese with sugar until velvety smooth. Incorporate egg yolk, ricotta, almond extract, salt, and lemon zest, ensuring a uniform consistency. Chill the filling in the refrigerator to set the flavors.
- Heat the oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper. Dust a work surface with flour and gently roll out puff pastry sheets to smooth their edges. Slice each sheet into nine precise squares, creating a total of 18 delicate pastry bases.
- Arrange the pastry squares on prepared baking sheets, maintaining even spacing. Delicately press the center of each square to form a shallow well for filling. Spoon the chilled cheese mixture into the center of each square, creating a creamy foundation.
- Crown each cheese-filled square with a generous dollop of cherry pie filling, allowing the vibrant fruit to peek through the creamy base. Tenderly brush the pastry edges with egg wash, ensuring a lustrous golden finish.
- Slide the danishes into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Watch for the pastry to transform into a puffy, golden-brown masterpiece. Once baked, transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool slightly, letting the flavors meld and settle.
Notes
- Softening cream cheese is crucial for a smooth, lump-free filling. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing.
- Experiment with different fruit fillings like blueberry, raspberry, or apricot preserves for variety and personal taste.
- For a lighter version, swap full-fat cream cheese with reduced-fat alternatives and use a low-sugar pie filling to cut calories.
- Ensure puff pastry is cold when handling to maintain its flaky texture and prevent sticking during preparation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Danish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg