Oh my goodness, let me tell you about the heavenly experience that is a cherry cheese danish! Seriously, the first time I took a bite, I was blown away by the combination of that flaky, buttery puff pastry and the sweet, creamy cheese filling topped with luscious cherry pie filling. It’s like a little piece of heaven in every bite! Whether it’s a cozy weekend brunch or a fancy dinner party, this delightful dessert is sure to impress. Plus, it’s super easy to whip up, which is always a win in my book! Trust me, once you make these, you’ll want to keep them in your recipe rotation for any occasion that calls for something sweet and scrumptious. Let’s dive into how to make this delightful treat!
Ingredients List
- 1 package of puff pastry (thawed)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup cherry pie filling
- 1 egg (beaten for egg wash)
How to Prepare the Cherry Cheese Danish
Getting started on your cherry cheese danish is easier than you might think! First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This step is crucial because you want your pastries to puff up beautifully when they hit that hot oven. While that’s warming up, roll out your thawed puff pastry on a floured surface. Don’t be shy; give it a good roll to make it nice and even!
Next, cut the pastry into squares—about 4 inches on each side works perfectly. Now, in a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until it’s all creamy and smooth. This is where the magic begins! Spoon a generous dollop of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each pastry square. Wow, just thinking about that creamy goodness is making my mouth water!
Now, here comes the fun part: top each creamy dollop with a spoonful of cherry pie filling. Don’t be stingy; this is what makes it a cherry cheese danish after all! Gently fold the corners of the pastry over the filling, pinching to seal it all in. Brush the tops with a beaten egg to give them that gorgeous golden color as they bake. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and pop them in the oven for about 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on them until they’re puffed and golden brown. Once they’re out, let them cool for a few minutes before serving because the filling will be hot! Enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roll out the thawed puff pastry on a floured surface until even.
- Cut the pastry into 4-inch squares.
- In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the center of each square.
- Top each with a spoonful of cherry pie filling.
- Fold the corners of the pastry over the filling and pinch to seal.
- Brush the tops with beaten egg for color.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Oh, where do I even start? This cherry cheese danish has so much going for it! Here are just a few reasons why you’re going to love making this delightful treat:
- Quick and easy to prepare—perfect for busy mornings or unexpected guests!
- Decadent flavor that combines sweet cream cheese and tart cherry filling—yum!
- Versatile enough to serve at brunch, as an afternoon snack, or even dessert.
- Uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
- Impresses friends and family with its beautiful presentation and delightful taste.
Trust me, once you sink your teeth into these flaky pastries, you’ll be hooked!
Tips for Success
Alright, let’s make sure your cherry cheese danish comes out absolutely perfect! First, when handling the puff pastry, keep it cold; this ensures those beautiful layers puff up nicely. If it starts to get too warm, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes before rolling it out.
Another great tip is to not overfill your pastries. A spoonful of cream cheese and cherry filling is just right—too much can make sealing tricky! Also, make sure to give them enough space on the baking sheet to puff up without getting squished together.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding a dash of almond extract to the cream cheese mixture for a delightful twist. And don’t forget to sprinkle some powdered sugar on top once they’re cooled for that extra touch of sweetness! Enjoy creating your perfect danish!
Nutritional Information
Now, let’s talk about the nutritional side of your cherry cheese danish! Each danish is approximately 250 calories, making it a delightful treat without going overboard. You’ll find around 14g of fat and 12g of sugar in each serving, which is pretty standard for a pastry this delicious. It also packs about 3g of protein and 28g of carbohydrates. Keep in mind, these values are estimates and can vary based on the specific ingredients you use. So, enjoy every bite, but do keep an eye on those numbers if you’re counting!
FAQ Section
Can I use a different fruit filling?
Absolutely! While cherry pie filling is delightful, feel free to swap it out for other fruits like blueberry, raspberry, or even peach. Just make sure to adjust the sweetness based on the fruit’s tartness!
How do I know when my danish is done?
Keep an eye on them as they bake. Your cherry cheese danish is ready when they’re puffed up and beautifully golden brown on top. A little jiggle is okay, but they should look firm.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the danish and assemble them a few hours ahead. Just cover them and pop them in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. Fresh from the oven is always best, but they can hold up well for a bit!
What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Store any uneaten cherry cheese danish in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. If you need to keep them longer, refrigerate them for up to a week. Just gently reheat them in the oven to refresh the pastry!
Can I freeze these danishes?
Yes! You can freeze the assembled danishes before baking. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and freeze. When you’re ready to bake, there’s no need to thaw—just pop them in the oven and add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your cherry cheese danish fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. Just make sure they’re sealed well to prevent them from drying out!
When you’re ready to enjoy them again, gently reheat the danish in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes. This will help restore that delightful flaky texture. Trust me, it’s worth it for that warm, gooey filling and crispy pastry. Enjoy every delicious bite!
Imprimer
Cherry Cheese Danish: 7 Irresistible Reasons to Indulge
- Temps Total: 40 minutes
- Rendement: 8 servings 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
A delicious cherry cheese danish pastry filled with sweet cream cheese and topped with cherry filling.
Ingrédients
- 1 package of puff pastry (thawed)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup cherry pie filling
- 1 egg (beaten for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface.
- Cut the pastry into squares.
- Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a bowl.
- Place a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each square.
- Top with a spoonful of cherry pie filling.
- Fold the corners of the pastry over the filling and seal.
- Brush the tops with the beaten egg.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Allow to cool before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh cherries for a natural flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Try adding almond extract for a different taste.
- Temps De Préparation: 20 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 20 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 danish
- Calories: 250
- Sucre: 12g
- De Sodium: 180mg
- La graisse: 14g
- Graisses Saturées: 7g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 4g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 28g
- La fibre: 1g
- La protéine: 3g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 45mg
Mots-clés: cherry cheese danish, pastry, dessert
