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Cream Cheese & Cherry Danish Pastry

A buttery, flaky Danish pastry filled with creamy cream cheese and topped with sweet cherries.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 7 minutes
Servings: 6 pieces
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Autumn
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp instant yeast
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 cup whole milk warm
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter cold, cubed
  • 1 egg large
Cream Cheese Filling
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cherry Topping
  • 1 cup cherries pitted
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp cornstarch optional, for thickening
Glaze (Optional)
  • 0.5 cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tbsp milk
  • 0.5 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheet
  • Wire rack
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method
 

  1. Dissolve yeast in warm milk and let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
  2. Combine flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Add yeast mixture and egg to flour mixture; mix until dough forms.
  4. Cover dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  5. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth for filling.
  6. Cook cherries with sugar and lemon juice until softened; thicken with cornstarch if needed.
  7. Roll dough into rectangle and cut into 6-8 pieces.
  8. Place cream cheese filling and cherries in center of each piece and fold edges toward center.
  9. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18-22 minutes until golden.
  10. Mix glaze ingredients and drizzle over cooled pastries if desired.

Notes

Store Danish pastries in an airtight container or freeze unbaked for later baking.