Easy Cherry Danish with Sweet Cream Cheese is a delightful treat that brings bakery-fresh flavor right into your home. This recipe simplifies the classic Danish, making it accessible for any home baker looking for a delicious breakfast or dessert option.
Key Ingredients for Easy Cherry Danish with Sweet Cream Cheese
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 (8-ounce) can refrigerated crescent roll dough (or 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed and cut to fit)
- 1/2 cup cherry pie filling (from a can or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for topping)
- Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting
How to Make Easy Cherry Danish with Sweet Cream Cheese
This Easy Cherry Danish with Sweet Cream Cheese recipe is designed for speed and ultimate deliciousness, delivering a satisfying bite with minimal effort. The creamy, sweet filling perfectly complements the vibrant cherry topping, all encased in flaky, golden pastry. Expect to spend approximately 15 minutes preparing and 20-25 minutes baking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer (or whisk vigorously by hand) until smooth and creamy. Add the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined. Incorporate the egg yolk and mix until just blended. Set aside.
- Prepare the Dough: Carefully unroll the crescent roll dough. If using a large sheet of crescent roll dough, pinch the seams together to create one large rectangle. If using puff pastry, lay out your thawed sheet. You can either cut the dough into individual squares or rectangles for single-serving Danishes, or leave it as one large piece to bake and then cut. For individual Danishes, aim for roughly 4×4 inch squares.
- Assemble the Danishes: For individual Danishes, spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of the cream cheese filling onto the center of each dough square, leaving about a 1/2-inch border. Top the cream cheese filling with about 1 tablespoon of cherry pie filling.
If using one large piece of dough, spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the surface, leaving a border. Then, dollop the cherry pie filling over the cream cheese. - Form and Bake:
- For individual Danishes (square method): You can fold the corners of each dough square towards the center, overlapping them slightly, to create a rustic Danish shape. Alternatively, you can simply fold the edges over slightly to contain the filling.
- For a large Danish: You can fold the edges of the dough inward to create a frame around the filling.
Place the assembled Danishes onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed, and the cream cheese filling is set.
- Glaze and Serve: While the Danishes are still warm, brush the tops with the melted butter. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar evenly over the buttered tops. Let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired, before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Cherry Danish with Sweet Cream Cheese
You are going to adore this Easy Cherry Danish with Sweet Cream Cheese because it effortlessly combines a heavenly sweet cream cheese filling with a burst of bright cherry flavor, all wrapped in delightful, flaky pastry. It’s the perfect contrast to a dense breakfast muffin or a plain bagel, offering a touch of indulgence without being overly complicated. Plus, making these at home is significantly more budget-friendly than purchasing individual Danishes from a bakery, saving you money while delivering superior freshness and taste.
Imagine gifting these homemade beauties to friends or serving them at a brunch – the aroma alone is a showstopper! They are so simple to whip up, making them an ideal weekend treat or a special weekday surprise. Instead of spending a fortune at your local coffee shop, you can create these warm, inviting Danishes with just a few key ingredients. Go ahead and treat yourself and your loved ones to this delightful experience; your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Leftover Easy Cherry Danish with Sweet Cream Cheese should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 4 days. To reheat, gently warm them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-7 minutes, or until slightly warmed through and the pastry is crispy again. Be careful not to overheat, as the cream cheese filling can become too soft. These Danishes do not freeze particularly well once baked, as the pastry can lose its crispness upon thawing.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Cherry Danish with Sweet Cream Cheese is a simple yet incredibly rewarding recipe that delivers fantastic flavor. Give it a try this weekend – you’ll be delighted with how easy and delicious it is to whip up this beautiful treat.
Easy Cherry Danish with Sweet Cream Cheese
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer (or whisk vigorously by hand) until smooth and creamy. Add the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined. Incorporate the egg yolk and mix until just blended. Set aside.8 ounce cream cheese, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 large egg yolk
- Carefully unroll the crescent roll dough. If using a large sheet of crescent roll dough, pinch the seams together to create one large rectangle. If using puff pastry, lay out your thawed sheet. You can either cut the dough into individual squares or rectangles for single-serving Danishes, or leave it as one large piece to bake and then cut. For individual Danishes, aim for roughly 4×4 inch squares.1 8-ounce can refrigerated crescent roll dough
- For individual Danishes, spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of the cream cheese filling onto the center of each dough square, leaving about a 1/2-inch border. Top the cream cheese filling with about 1 tablespoon of cherry pie filling. If using one large piece of dough, spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the surface, leaving a border. Then, dollop the cherry pie filling over the cream cheese.1/2 cup cherry pie filling
- For individual Danishes (square method): You can fold the corners of each dough square towards the center, overlapping them slightly, to create a rustic Danish shape. Alternatively, you can simply fold the edges over slightly to contain the filling. For a large Danish: You can fold the edges of the dough inward to create a frame around the filling. Place the assembled Danishes onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed, and the cream cheese filling is set.
- While the Danishes are still warm, brush the tops with the melted butter. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar evenly over the buttered tops. Let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired, before serving.1 tablespoon butter, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, Optional powdered sugar