Cherry Danish Pastries with Cream Cheese are the perfect blend of flaky, buttery pastry, silky-smooth cream cheese filling, and luscious cherry topping.

These pastries taste like something you’d find at a high-end bakery, yet they are easy enough to prepare at home with just a few simple ingredients. The crispy golden layers, the lightly sweetened cream cheese center, and the bright, fruity cherry flavor come together to create a pastry that is both indulgent and comforting.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between convenience and quality. Using puff pastry gives you that irresistible bakery-style flakiness without hours of rolling and folding dough. The cream cheese filling adds richness and tanginess that complements the sweet cherry topping beautifully. Every bite feels tender, flaky, creamy, and fruity all at once.

Another reason I love this recipe is how customizable it is. You can swap in different fruits, adjust the sweetness, or transform the shape of the danish. Whether I make them for a celebration or a quiet weekend morning, they always turn out wonderfully and disappear quickly.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

This dish is a must-try because it delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. It’s a pastry that looks impressive, tastes exceptional, and yet uses pantry-friendly ingredients. The combination of cream cheese and cherry is universally loved, making these pastries crowd-pleasers for any gathering.

They’re also versatile enough to serve for breakfast, a midday snack, or dessert. Once you see how easy and rewarding it is to make your own flaky pastries, this recipe will likely become a regular part of your baking rotation.

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 18–22 minutes
• Total Time: 40–45 minutes

Servings and Calories

• Servings: 8 pastries
• Calories: Approximately 290 per pastry
• Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
• Cuisine: European/Scandinavian-inspired Pastry

Ingredients

For the Pastry

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon water

For the Cream Cheese Filling

• 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Cherry Topping

• 1 cup cherry pie filling
  or
• 1 cup fresh cherries cooked with 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Optional Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Directions

1. Prepare the cream cheese filling.
2. Prepare puff pastry squares and score them to form a border.
3. Fill the pastry with cream cheese mixture and cherry topping.
4. Brush edges with egg wash.
5. Bake until puffed and golden.
6. Add optional glaze once cooled.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

1. In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice.
2. Beat until smooth and creamy; set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Puff Pastry

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Unfold the puff pastry and cut into 8 equal squares.
4. Lightly score a border ½ inch from the edge of each square (do not cut through).
5. This helps the edges puff up while the center stays flat.

Step 3: Assemble the Danish

1. Add 1 tablespoon cream cheese filling to the center of each pastry square.
2. Top with 1–1½ tablespoons cherry filling.
3. Beat 1 egg with 1 tablespoon water to create an egg wash.
4. Brush the edges of each pastry with the egg wash.

Step 4: Bake

1. Bake for 18–22 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
2. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack.

Step 5: Optional Glaze

1. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
2. Drizzle over cooled pastries.

How to Serve This Recipe

• Serve warm or at room temperature.
• A dusting of powdered sugar enhances presentation.
• Pair with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for breakfast or brunch.
• For dessert, serve slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Recipe Tips

• Keep puff pastry cold for best puffing.
• Do not overfill the pastries or the toppings may spill out.
• For ultra-flaky layers, chill assembled pastries for 10 minutes before baking.
• If using homemade cherry sauce, allow it to cool fully before adding to pastry.
• Use parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Variations

Mixed Berry Danish

Use a combination of blueberries, raspberries, and cherries for a colorful topping.

Lemon Cream Cheese Danish

Add lemon zest and additional lemon juice to the cream cheese for a bright flavor.

Almond Cherry Danish

Stir 1 teaspoon almond extract into the cream cheese and sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking.

Chocolate Cherry Danish

Add a few chocolate chips under the cherry filling for a richer dessert-style pastry.

Savory Version

Swap cherry filling for caramelized onions or roasted tomatoes and omit sugar from cream cheese.

Freezing and Storage Time

• Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Reheat at 300°F (150°C) for 5–7 minutes.
• Freezing: Freeze unglazed pastries for up to 2 months.
  • Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before glazing.

Special Equipment Needed

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowls
• Hand mixer or whisk
• Pastry brush
• Sharp knife or pizza cutter
• Wire cooling rack

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use homemade pastry dough instead of puff pastry?
Yes, Danish dough or croissant dough works beautifully, though it takes longer to prepare.

Can I use other fruits instead of cherries?
Absolutely. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or apples all work well.

Can I make these pastries ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble them and refrigerate for up to 12 hours before baking.

Why did my pastries not puff up?
Warm pastry dough puffs less. Be sure the dough is cold before baking.

Can I make them without cream cheese?
Yes. You can simply fill with fruit, though the flavor will be different.

Conclusion

Cherry Danish Pastries with Cream Cheese are a delightful combination of flaky pastry, creamy filling, and sweet cherry topping. They’re surprisingly easy to prepare, yet look and taste like something straight from a bakery. With endless options for variations and a short ingredient list, they’re perfect for any occasion—from brunch gatherings to special desserts or cozy weekend treats. This recipe is a wonderful way to bring bakery-style indulgence right into your kitchen.

If you’d like a printable format or a version using homemade Danish dough, feel free to ask!