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Cherry Danishes

How to make simple cherry danishes for breakfast or dessert.
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword cherry, cherry pie filling, danish
Servings 12 danishes

Ingredients

  • 1 box 17.3 ounces frozen puff pastry, thawed
  • 1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract divided
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 can cherry pie filling
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400F.
  • Lay the two sheets of thawed puff pastry out flat on a clean work surface. Use a sharp knife to cut each sheet into 6 rectangles, making 12 total rectangles.
  • Use the knife to score a ½ inch border around each rectangle (only cut about ½ way down into the dough). This will allow the outside ½ inch border to puff up while baking and the middle to stay flatter.
  • Use a fork to prick several areas around the middle of each rectangle of pastry. This helps to keep the center from rising too much while baking.
  • Place the pastries onto one large or two medium baking sheets, about 1 inch apart.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract. Scoop the mixture onto the pastries and spread out evenly over the center area, but not onto the ½ inch border.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Use a pastry brush to lightly brush the egg wash onto the ½ inch border of each pastry.
  • Bake the pastries at 400F for 18-20 minutes until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown. Remove from the oven and transfer the pastries to a wire cooling rack.
  • While the pastries are still warm, add a spoonful of the cherry pie filling to the center of each pastry and spread out just enough to mostly cover the cream cheese layer.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and remaining ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Drizzle the frosting over the cooled pastries.

Notes

  • Any cherry pie filling will work, including the “extra cherry” variety.
  • Other pie filling can be substituted for the cherry, such as raspberry, blueberry, lemon, apple, etc.
  • The pastries should be stored in the refrigerator and keep fresh for up to five days. They can be reheated in the microwave on high for 10-20 seconds.