• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sugary Logic
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Easy Cherry Cream Cheese Danish with Puff Pastry

    Published: Nov 17, 2023 by Katelyn Theofanis · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · #sponsoredpost · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Cherry Cream Cheese Danish comes together easily thanks to store-bought puff pastry and cherry pie filling. Creamy, sweetened cream cheese layers between the flaky puff pastry and cherry filling for the ultimate treat. The easy homemade pastries look impressive and taste even better. 

    Cherry danish on a wire cooling rack.

    Store-bought flaky, golden brown puff pastry forms the base of this delectable cherry danish, promising layers of buttery goodness. On top, a velvety layer of sweetened cream cheese adds a creamy, tangy note that perfectly complements the richness of the pastry. It's finished with vibrant cherry pie filling. 

    The ruby-red cherries glisten, bursting with an irresistible sweetness that hints at their luscious juiciness. Like in homemade cherry compote or cherry crumble, the tart-sweet flavor of the cherries shines. The danish pastry is delicately glazed with sweet icing.

    Every bite presents a symphony of flavors, combining the fruity essence of cherries with the indulgent creaminess of the cheese filling, and flaky layers of buttery pastry. It's a compelling balance of sweet, tangy, and buttery goodness in every mouthwatering bite. Enjoy this sweet treat as a leisurely breakfast with a cup of coffee or a delightful dessert to end the evening. 

    Jump to:
    • What is a Danish?
    • Cherry Cheese Danish Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Suggested Equipment
    • Storage
    • Delicious Pastry Recipes
    • Expert Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    What is a Danish?

    Derived by Austrian bakers and brought to Denmark, a danish pastry is a laminated (multi-layered) pastry filled with jam, custard, fruits, or nuts. 

    Cherry Cheese Danish Recipe

    Cherry danishes are perfect for weekend brunch, afternoon coffee, or a delectable dessert to end the night. They are fantastic for sharing, especially for holiday breakfasts or special occasions. The beauty of this easy cherry danish recipe is that it can be enjoyed any day thanks to store-bought ingredients and a simple baking process. 

    • Puff Pastry Crust: Buttery puff pastry replaces traditional danish dough, making this recipe approachable for any baker. Many freezer puff pastry options are available at your local grocery store. 
    • Sweetened Cream Cheese: A thin layer of sweetened cream cheese mixture adds richness and tangy flavor to balance the sweet taste of the pie filling. 
    • Cherry Filling: Canned cherry pie filling keeps this recipe quick and easy. The filling is deliciously tart and sweet, while the red color shines.
    • Icing: A simple icing adds visual appeal and compliments the tangy cream cheese filling and tart, sweet cherries. 

    Ingredients

    The ingredients you need for this recipe.
    • Store-Bought Puff Pastry Sheets: You can make homemade puff pastry dough if desired. 
    • Cream Cheese (softened)
    • Granulated Sugar
    • Cherry Pie Filling: Most grocery stores carry canned cherry pie filling. You will find it in the baking aisle. You can also use homemade cherry filling if desired. 
    • Large Egg (room temperature): For the egg wash.
    • Powdered Sugar (sifted): Sift the sugar before making the icing to prevent sugar lumps.
    • Pure Vanilla Extract
    • Milk (or water)

    See the recipe card for the ingredient quantities.

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside. 

    Whipped cream cheese in a mixer bowl with the paddle attachment.
    Make the cream cheese filling.
    Puff pastry rectangles on a parchment-lined tray.
    Cut the puff pastry into 12 rectangular portions.

    2. Lay the puff pastry sheets onto a lightly floured surface and cut each pastry into six rectangles. Transfer the pastry rectangles onto the parchment-lined sheets, leaving about 1 inch between them.

    3. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and ½ tsp vanilla extract using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. 

    Portioned puff pastry with cream cheese on top.
    Spread sweet cream cheese over each pastry rectangle.
    Portioned puff pastry with cream cheese and cherry pie filling.
    Top with cherry filling.
    Cherry danish on a parchment-lined tray with icing drizzled over them.
    Drizzle cooled pastries with icing.

    4. Spread about 1 tablespoon of the sweet cream cheese over the center of each pastry rectangle, leaving a ½-inch perimeter around the edge. Place about 2 tablespoons of cherry pie filling over the top of the cream cheese filling. 

    5. In a small mixing bowl, whisk the egg and water. Brush the edges of each pastry with egg wash. Bake the danishes for 15-20 minutes or until puffed and golden.

    6. While the danishes cool, make the icing. Drizzle glaze over each danish. Let the icing set before serving. 

    Variations

    • Almond: Swap the vanilla extract for ½ teaspoon of almond extract. Top the danishes with sliced almonds. 
    • Blueberry Danish: Swap the cherry pie filling for blueberry pie filling. 
    • Alternative Fruit Options: Use strawberry pie filling for strawberry danish or apple pie filling for apple danish.
    • Powdered Sugar: Swap the icing with a simple dusting of powdered sugar.
    Cherry danish on a wire cooling rack.

    Suggested Equipment

    • Sharp Knife,  Pizza Cutter, or Accordion Cutter
    • Electric Mixer - Stand Mixer or Handheld Mixer
    • Baking Sheets
    • Pastry Brush

    Storage

    Transfer the leftover danish pastries to an airtight container. Separate the layers of pastry with wax paper. Store the danish in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

    **Please note that the cherry danishes are best enjoyed on the first day of making them. The pastry will lose its crispy texture after the first day or upon refrigeration. (But, they will remain delicious.) 

    Delicious Pastry Recipes

    • Blueberry Turnovers with Puff Pastry 
    • Puff Pastry Chocolate Croissants
    • Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls
    • Everything Bagel Cream Cheese Turnovers
    • Pumpkin Hand Pies with Puff Pastry
    A single cherry danish on a small plate.

    Expert Tips

    1. Use softened cream cheese to prevent lumps of cheese in the filling.
    2. Place the puff pastry into the refrigerator to chill if it becomes too soft to work with. 
    3. Cut puff pastry straight down, do not drag the knife, or you will cause breakage on the edges of the dough. 
    4. Bake cream cheese puff pastry danish in a hot oven. Refrain from opening the oven as the pastries bake. Puff pastry relies on steam to rise.
    5. Bake danish pastries until they are golden brown and puffed.
    6. Wait to glaze the pastries until they have cooled. 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you freeze cherry danish pastries?

    Wrap the cooled danish pastry in plastic wrap and transfer them to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Freeze the pastries for up to 3 months. Thaw danish pastries in the refrigerator before eating them. *Note: the pastries will not have the same crisp texture after freezing.

    If you make the recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe, and let me know what you think in the comments below! Take pictures, tag #sugarylogic, and share them with me on Instagram or Facebook. 

    📖 Recipe

    Cherry cream cheese danish on a wire cooling rack.

    Cherry Cream Cheese Danish (Puff Pastry)

    Katelyn Theofanis
    Cherry Cream Cheese Danish comes together easily thanks to store-bought puff pastry and cherry pie filling. Creamy cream cheese filling layers between the flaky puff pastry and cherry filling for the ultimate treat. The easy homemade pastries look impressive and taste even better. 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, Dessert, Pastries
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 danish
    Calories 399 kcal

    Equipment

    • Baking Sheet Trays

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 sheets frozen puff pastry thawed according to package instructions
    • 8 oz cream cheese softened
    • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
    • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 21 oz can cherry pie filling

    Egg wash

    • 1 large egg room temperature
    • 1 tablespoon water

    Icing

    • 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
    • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1-2 tablespoon milk or water

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
    • Lay the puff pastry sheets onto a lightly floured surface, and cut each pastry into 6 rectangles. (You will have 12 rectangles total.) Place the pastry rectangles onto the parchment-lined sheets, leaving about 1 inch between them. Place the trays in the refrigerator to chill while you make the cream cheese mixture.
    • In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
    • Spread about 1 tablespoon of the sweet cream cheese over the center of each pastry rectangle, leaving a ½-inch perimeter around the edge. Place about 2 tablespoons of cherry pie filling over the top of the cream cheese filling.
    • In a small mixing bowl, whisk the egg and water. Brush the edges of each pastry with egg wash. Bake the danishes for 15-20 minutes or until puffed and golden.
    • While the danishes cool, make the icing. Whisk the sifted powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1-2 tablespoons of milk (or water) until a glaze forms. Drizzle glaze over each cooled danish. Let the icing set before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 399kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 5gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.002gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 177mgPotassium: 110mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 380IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag your photo #sugarylogic or @sugarylogic ANY QUESTIONS? Please leave a comment below!

    Did you make this? Leave a review below and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!

    More Breakfast

    • A pile of pumpkin oatmeal muffins.
      Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins Recipe
    • A cranberry walnut muffin with a bite taken out of it.
      The Best Cranberry Walnut Muffins Recipe
    • A bowl of frangipane with a spoon.
      Almond Frangipane Recipe (French Almond Cream)
    • A slice of chocolate crumb cake.
      The Best Triple Chocolate Crumb Cake Recipe

    About Me

    I am the recipe developer, content creator, and photographer behind Sugary Logic. Sugary Logic's recipes are clear, simple, and easy to learn. These are all recipes I enjoy regularly (yes, the sweets too.) I'm so happy you're here, and I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I do. Read More…

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    author

    Hi, welcome to Sugary Logic! I'm Katelyn. I am an experienced chef and home cook publishing simple and easy recipes here on my food blog, Sugary Logic. Sugary Logic's recipes will save you time and allow you to create fast and easy meals as sophisticated as any restaurant meal.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Cherry cream cheese danish on a wire cooling rack.
      Easy Cherry Cream Cheese Danish with Puff Pastry
    • A slice of pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
      Easy Apple Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
    • A stack of chocolate-coated peanut butter balls on a plate.
      3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls (With Cream Cheese)
    • A stack of maple walnut muffins.
      Maple Walnut Muffins Recipe (Using Maple Syrup)

    Trending Recipes

    • A large bowl of chicken sausage pasta.
      Chicken Sausage Pasta with Broccoli
    • Quinoa salad with chickpeas in a large bowl.
      Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas
    • A bowl of pesto pasta salad with a wooden spoon.
      Easy Summer Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
    • Cinnamon streusel muffins on a cooling rack.
      Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

    The Best Scone Recipes

    • A coffee scone on a wire cooling rack.
      Easy Chocolate Chip Coffee Scones Recipe 
    • A cherry scone on a wire cooling rack with fresh cherries.
      Almond Cherry Scones
    • A close-up of a bacon cheddar scone.
      Bacon Cheddar Scones
    • Cream cheese frosted cinnamon roll scones on a cooling rack.
      Easy Cinnamon Roll Scones with Cream Cheese Icing

    Gluten-Free Recipes

    • Crispy roasted sweet potatoes on a parchment-lined tray with a wooden server.
      Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes
    • A close-up of lemon blueberry baked oatmeal.
      Lemon Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
    • Easy Italian Ground Turkey Soup
    • Cauliflower Gnocchi Alla Vodka

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Recipes
    • About Me

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Subscribe

    Sugary Logic participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2017 - 2023 Sugary Logic