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–+ servings
berry and cheese pastries on a cooling rack

Easy Puff Pastry Cheese and Berry Danish

4.82 from 11 votes
Quick and easy Danishes easily customizable with desired fruit fillings!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings12 pastries
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Ingredients

  • Pastries
  • 1 standard box puff pastry 2 sheets thawed in fridge overnight
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • one egg yolk
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • about 6 tablespoons berry jam

Glaze

  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla extract
  • water

Egg Wash

  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • coarse sugar optional

Instructions

  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whip cream cheese until fluffy and smooth.  Add egg yolk, sugar, and extracts and mix until smooth, set aside.
  • Remove puff pastry sheets from packaging.  Working with one at a time, unfold onto lightly floured work surface.  Use a rolling pin to very lightly roll pastry in all directions, keeping it in an even rectangle shape.  Dough should not extend more than about 1/2-1 inch on all sides.
  • Cut dough one direction on each of the 2 folded creases.  Cut dough just one more time the other direction, down the center, creating 6 even rectangles.  Place rectangles evenly spaced on baking sheet.  Using a knife, lightly score each rectangle about 1/4 inch in on all sides.  Do not cut all the way through the dough.
  • Place a heaping tablespoon of cream cheese filling in the center of each rectangle and gently spread it around slightly, but not extending over the scored parts of the dough.  Create a slight well in the center of the cheese mixture and fill with 1-1 1/2 teaspoons jam if desired.
  • To make egg wash, whisk egg and water together until smooth.  Use a pastry brush to lightly brush wash around outer scored edge of dough and sprinkle with a little coarse sugar if desired.
  • Bake at 400 degrees until pastry is puffed and edges are golden brown, about 14-16 minutes. Let cool, and then mix up all glaze ingredients and drizzle over tops.
Course: Breakfast and Brunch
Keyword: danish, Pastry, puff pastry
Author: Sara Wells
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