Cherry Danish Pastry with Cream Cheese and Almond Drizzle Recipe

Introduction

This Cherry Danish recipe is a delightful blend of flaky crescent roll dough, creamy almond-infused cream cheese filling, and sweet cherry topping. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, these pastries are simple to make and irresistibly tasty.

Ingredients

• 5 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• ¼ cup sugar
• 21 ounces cherry pie filling
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 16 ounces flaky crescent rolls (two 8-ounce tubes, chilled for 30 minutes)
• ¼ cup slivered almonds (optional)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons whole milk

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, use a handheld electric mixer on medium-high speed to cream together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and almond extract until smooth. Set aside.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, beat the egg and water together with a fork to make an egg wash. Set aside.
4. Step 4: Open one package of crescent rolls and remove the tube without unrolling the dough. Place the tube on a cutting board.
5. Step 5: Using a sharp knife, cut the tube into 12 equal pieces.
6. Step 6: Flatten the center of each piece gently using your fingers and thumb, then place each circle on the baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Brush the edges and sides of each dough circle with the egg wash using a pastry brush.
7. Step 7: Spoon a small amount of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each flattened dough circle.
8. Step 8: Add 2 cherries from the pie filling on top of the cream cheese in each circle.
9. Step 9: Bake the Danishes for 10 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Let them cool for 5 minutes before glazing.
10. Step 10: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle the glaze lightly over each Danish. Garnish with slivered almonds if desired.
11. Step 11: Repeat the process with the second tube of crescent rolls.

Tips & Variations

• Chilling the crescent roll tubes before cutting helps maintain their shape and flakiness during baking.
• Swap cherry pie filling for other fruit fillings like blueberry or raspberry for a different twist.
• For extra crunch and flavor, toast the slivered almonds lightly before sprinkling on top.

Storage

Store leftover Cherry Danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them longer, refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a warm oven or microwave for 10-15 seconds to refresh the flakiness and soften the cream cheese filling.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Cherry Danishes ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the Danishes and refrigerate them unbaked for a few hours or overnight. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time when ready.

What can I use instead of almond extract?

If you don’t have almond extract, vanilla extract makes a good substitute and will still complement the cherry and cream cheese flavors nicely.

Cherry Danish Pastry with Cream Cheese and Almond Drizzle Recipe

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This Cherry Danish recipe offers a delightful combination of flaky crescent roll pastry filled with a creamy almond cream cheese mixture topped with sweet cherry pie filling. Finished with a simple powdered sugar glaze and optional slivered almonds, these homemade Danishes are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 11 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 Danishes 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Filling

• 5 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 21 ounces cherry pie filling

Dough and Topping

• 16 ounces flaky crescent rolls (two 8-ounce tubes, chilled in freezer for 30 minutes)
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• ¼ cup slivered almonds (optional)

Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons whole milk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set them aside for later use.
2. Make cream cheese filling: In a medium bowl, use a handheld electric mixer on medium-high speed to beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and almond extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
3. Prepare egg wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water with a fork to create an egg wash. Set aside.
4. Prepare crescent dough: Open one tube of crescent rolls and keep the dough in its long cylinder shape without unrolling. Place it on a cutting board.
5. Cut dough into rounds: Using a sharp knife, cut the cylinder into 12 equal pieces, creating circular dough rounds.
6. Shape and egg wash dough: Flatten each dough round slightly in the center with your fingers and thumb. Arrange them spaced 2 inches apart on a prepared baking sheet. Brush the edges and sides of each round with the egg wash using a pastry brush.
7. Add filling and cherries: Spoon a small amount of the cream cheese filling into the center of each dough round. Top each with two cherries from the pie filling.
8. Bake Danishes: Bake the prepared Danishes in the preheated oven for 10 to 11 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
9. Prepare glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and whole milk until smooth and lump-free.
10. Glaze and garnish: Lightly drizzle the glaze over each cooled Danish. Optionally, sprinkle with slivered almonds for added flavor and texture.
11. Repeat process: Open the second tube of crescent rolls and repeat the above steps to make another batch of Danishes.

Notes

• Chilling crescent rolls in the freezer makes them easier to cut into neat rounds.
• Use fresh or good quality cherry pie filling for the best flavor.
• Egg wash helps achieve a golden and shiny crust.
• Optional slivered almonds add a nice crunch but can be omitted if desired.
• Allow Danishes to cool slightly before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Keywords: Cherry Danish, cream cheese danish, crescent roll danish, easy danish recipe, breakfast pastry, cherry pastry