These Mini Cherry Cheese Danishes bring the bakery right to your kitchen with their flaky, buttery layers and sweet-tart cherry filling. Perfect for weekend brunch or special occasions, they’re surprisingly simple to make at home using store-bought puff pastry.
The combination of creamy cheese filling and bright cherry topping creates an irresistible treat that looks like it came from a professional pastry shop. Don’t let their elegant appearance fool you – these danishes come together in under an hour!
Why You’ll Love This
- Uses convenient store-bought puff pastry for quick assembly
- Can be made ahead and reheated for breakfast or brunch
- Perfectly portioned individual servings
- Customizable with different fruit toppings
- Impressive presentation with minimal effort
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 can cherry pie filling
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper
- Cut each puff pastry sheet into 6 equal squares
- Mix cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth
- Place a dollop of cheese mixture in the center of each square
- Top with 2-3 cherries from pie filling
- Fold corners toward center, leaving filling visible
- Brush with egg wash
- Bake 18-20 minutes until golden brown
- Cool slightly and dust with powdered sugar
Tips & Variations
- Keep puff pastry cold until ready to use for best results
- Substitute any fruit pie filling or fresh berries
- Make cheese filling up to 2 days ahead
- Create a quick glaze with powdered sugar and milk instead of dusting
- Score pastry edges before folding for more defined shape
Serving Suggestions
Serve these mini danishes warm or at room temperature alongside fresh coffee or tea. For a complete brunch spread, pair them with fresh fruit and yogurt parfaits. They also make an excellent addition to a breakfast charcuterie board.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Reheat in 300°F oven for 5 minutes to restore crispness
- Pastries are done when golden brown and puffed
FAQs
- Can I freeze these danishes? Yes, freeze unbaked danishes for up to 1 month. Bake directly from frozen, adding 3-4 minutes to baking time.
- Can I make these without cherry topping? Absolutely! Try blueberry, apple, or simply dust with powdered sugar.
- Why did my pastry not puff up? Ensure your puff pastry is cold when it goes into the oven and don’t skip the egg wash.
- Can I use homemade puff pastry? Yes, though store-bought provides consistent results for beginners.
Servings4
Prep15 min
Cook45 min
Calories—
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 can cherry pie filling
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Steps
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper
- Cut each puff pastry sheet into 6 equal squares
- Mix cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth
- Place a dollop of cheese mixture in the center of each square
- Top with 2-3 cherries from pie filling
- Fold corners toward center, leaving filling visible
- Brush with egg wash
- Bake 18-20 minutes until golden brown
- Cool slightly and dust with powdered sugar
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Reheat in 300°F oven for 5 minutes to restore crispness
- Pastries are done when golden brown and puffed
