Easy Cherry Danish Pastries

If you’re looking for an easy, bakery-worthy treat to enjoy at home, these Cherry Cream Cheese Danish pastries are just what you need! They’re made with flaky puff pastry, a creamy cheesecake-like filling, and sweet cherry pie filling—perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat with coffee.

Why You’ll Love These Cherry Danish Pastries

• Super Easy to Make – Thanks to store-bought puff pastry, these come together quickly with minimal effort.
• Deliciously Flaky and Creamy – The combination of buttery, crisp pastry and smooth cream cheese filling is irresistible.
• Great for Any Occasion – Whether you’re hosting brunch, need a quick dessert, or just want a treat with your coffee, these danishes fit the bill!

You may also like these 21 Best Puff Pastry Mini Dessert Recipes!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Puff Pastry – Store-bought works perfectly and saves time.
• Cream Cheese – Softened, for a smooth and creamy filling.
• Sugar & Vanilla Extract – To sweeten and add flavor.
• Egg Yolk – Helps create a rich, velvety texture.
• Cherry Pie Filling – The star of the show! You can use store-bought or homemade.
• Egg Wash – Gives the pastry that golden, glossy finish.
• Powdered Sugar & Milk – For a simple, sweet glaze to drizzle on top.

How to Make Cherry Cream Cheese Danish

1. Prep the Pastry – Roll out the thawed puff pastry and cut it into squares.
2. Make the Cream Cheese Filling – Beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and egg yolk until smooth.
3. Assemble the Danish – Add a dollop of the cream cheese mixture to the center of each pastry square, followed by a spoonful of cherry pie filling.
4. Shape & Bake – Fold in the corners slightly, brush with egg wash, and bake at 400°F (200°C) until golden brown.
5. Drizzle with Glaze – Mix powdered sugar and milk, then drizzle over the warm danishes for a perfect finishing touch.

Tips for the Best Danish

• Use Cold Puff Pastry – Keeping it chilled helps it bake up flaky.
• Don’t Overfill – A little filling goes a long way to prevent overflow.
• Bake Until Golden – This ensures a crisp, flaky texture.

These Cherry Cream Cheese Danish pastries are a total crowd-pleaser and so simple to whip up. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven for the best flavor and texture! Happy baking!

Easy Cherry Danish Pastries Recipe

Recipe by Mini Bites Recipes

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Course: Dessert

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Servings

Adjust servings

+

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12

pastries

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

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Ingredients

US Metric

• 1 box 1 frozen puff pastry, thawed (17.3 ounces)

• 1 pack 1 cream cheese, softened to room temperature

• 1/4 cup 1/4 granulated sugar

• 1 1/2 tsp 1 1/2 vanilla extract, divided

• 1 large 1 egg

• 2 tbsp 2 water

• 1 can 1 cherry pie filling

• 1/3 cup 1/3 powdered sugar

• 2 tbsp 2 heavy cream

Directions

• 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.