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A dark plate holds three rustic pastries, including a cherry cheese danish topped with icing, chocolate, powdered sugar, and fresh mint leaves. The background features a brown cloth and deep purple flowers. Photo credited to Alli Kelley.

Cherry Cheese Danish

Melissa Griffiths
This Cherry Cheese Danish brings bakery-quality pastries right to your kitchen with minimal effort and maximum flavor. The combination of tangy cream cheese filling and sweet-tart cherries wrapped in golden, flaky pastry creates an irresistible treat that's perfect for weekend mornings or special occasions!
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 6 pastries
Calories 365 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cherries (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 tablespoon flour (coarse)
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 puff pastry sheet
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons water

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400ºF.
  • Slice the puff pastry crust into 6 even strips.
  • Twist the strips and then roll them in a swirl pattern on a sheet tray.
  • Combine the cherries, flour, cinnmamon, and salt. Set aside.
  • Combine cream cheese, sugar, and lemon juice.
  • Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture evenly between the puff pastry swirls.
  • Spoon the cherry mixture over the cream cheese.
  • Whisk together the water and egg to create an egg wash.
  • Brush the pastry with the egg wash.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes

Cherry Alternatives: If you can't get your hands on any fresh or frozen cherries, you can definitely use canned cherry pie filling to make a cheese cherry danish. If you do use cherry pie filling, you probably won't need to add any extra sugar as the filling will already have plenty.
Flavor Boost: Adding a pinch of almond extract to the cream cheese mixture enhances the overall flavor profile without overpowering the cherry taste. Start with just ¼ teaspoon as almond extract is quite potent and can easily dominate other flavors.
Texture Tip: For extra richness, substitute half the cream cheese with mascarpone cheese. This creates an even more luxurious, silky filling that pairs exceptionally well with the tart cherries and buttery pastry layers.
Storage: Store cooled danish in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days for best texture, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pastryCalories: 365kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 6gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 366mgPotassium: 170mgFiber: 2gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 324IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg
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