This Cherry Danish Recipe is a flaky, buttery pastry filled with sweet cherry pie filling and a creamy center, then finished with a light vanilla glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy dessert, it looks bakery-fancy but is surprisingly easy to make at home. Crisp on the outside and soft in the middle, every bite is bursting with bright cherry flavor and melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
Servings: 8
Ingredients
Pastry
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry thawed according to package directions
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour for dusting surface
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz 225g cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup 50g granulated sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice optional, for brightness
Cherry Topping
- 1 cup cherry pie filling
- or homemade cherry compote
Egg Wash
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp milk
Optional Glaze
- ½ cup 60g powdered sugar
- 1 –2 tbsp milk
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
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Prepare the Oven
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Prepare the Pastry
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Lightly flour your surface and unfold the puff pastry.
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Cut into 8 equal squares.
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Using a knife, lightly score a smaller square inside each piece (about ½ inch from the edge). Do not cut all the way through — this helps create a raised border.
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Make the Cream Cheese Filling
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In a bowl, beat:
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cream cheese
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sugar
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egg yolk
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vanilla
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lemon juice
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Mix until smooth and creamy.
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Assemble
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Spoon about 1 tablespoon of cream cheese filling into the center of each pastry square.
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Top with 1 tablespoon cherry filling.
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Brush the outer edges with egg wash.
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Bake
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Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
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Remove and cool for 10 minutes.
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Add Glaze (Optional)
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Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
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Drizzle over slightly cooled danishes.