Easy Cheese Danish with Fresh Fruit and Apricot Jam Recipe

Introduction

This Easy Cheese Danish recipe is a delightful treat perfect for breakfast or a special snack. With a creamy cheese filling and fresh fruit topping baked inside flaky puff pastry, it’s simple to make yet impressively delicious.

Ingredients

• 2 sheets puff pastry (thawed)
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• 1 tsp water (for egg wash)
• 8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 egg yolk (whisked)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 12 apricots (sliced or quartered; you can substitute with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or cherries)
• 4 tablespoons apricot jam (or your favorite jam for glazing fruit)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400℉ (200℃).
2. Step 2: Prepare your fruit. If using apricots, halve, pit, and slice them. For strawberries or cherries, hull or pit and slice. Leave blueberries and raspberries whole.
3. Step 3: In a bowl, mix the room temperature cream cheese, egg yolk, sugar, and vanilla extract using a fork until smooth and well combined.
4. Step 4: Whisk the whole egg and water together in a small bowl to create an egg wash.
5. Step 5: Unwrap one puff pastry sheet at a time. Cut each sheet into 12 equal rectangles. Using a fork, prick each rectangle all over except for a ½-inch border around the edges.
6. Step 6: Transfer the pastry rectangles onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Step 7: Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over each rectangle, staying within the edges.
8. Step 8: Arrange the prepared fruit on top of the cream cheese filling. Brush the fruit with apricot jam to glaze, and brush the edges of each pastry with the egg wash.
9. Step 9: Bake on the middle rack of your oven for 15–20 minutes, or until the pastries are puffed, golden brown, and flaky.
10. Step 10: Let the Cheese Danishes cool slightly and serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

• For a tangier filling, try adding a teaspoon of lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture.
• Experiment with different fruit toppings such as peaches, mixed berries, or even canned pineapple chunks.
• Brush the pastry edges gently with egg wash to prevent it from running into the cream cheese filling.
• Use store-bought puff pastry for convenience, but ensure it is fully thawed to avoid cracking when cutting.

Storage

Store leftover Cheese Danishes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a warm oven (350℉/175℃) for about 5 minutes to restore flakiness and warmth. Avoid microwaving to maintain the pastry’s crisp texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen fruit instead of fresh?

Yes, but be sure to thaw and drain the fruit well to avoid excess moisture making the pastry soggy.

Can I prepare these Danishes ahead of time?

You can assemble them and keep them refrigerated for a few hours before baking. For best puff and flakiness, bake them fresh before serving.

Easy Cheese Danish with Fresh Fruit and Apricot Jam Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 134 reviews

• Author: Jack
• Total Time: 30-35 minutes
• Yield: 24 pastries 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Easy Cheese Danish recipe features flaky puff pastry topped with a creamy sweetened cream cheese filling and fresh fruit, glazed with apricot jam for a beautiful shine. Perfect as a breakfast treat or an elegant dessert, these individual pastries are simple to prepare and bake to golden perfection in just 15-20 minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Puff Pastry and Topping

• 2 sheets puff pastry (thawed)
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• 1 tsp water (for egg wash)
• 12 apricots (sliced or quartered) or substitute with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or cherries
• 4 tablespoons apricot jam (or your favorite jam for glazing fruit)

Cream Cheese Filling

• 8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 egg yolk (whisked)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 400℉ (200℃) to ensure it’s ready to bake the danish pastries to a perfect golden brown.
2. Prepare the fruit: If using apricots, halve and pit them, then slice. For strawberries, cherries, or peaches, hull or pit and slice as well. Blueberries and raspberries are used whole. This ensures uniform pieces for topping the pastries.
3. Make cream cheese filling: In a bowl, use a fork to combine room temperature cream cheese, egg yolk, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended, creating a rich, flavorful filling.
4. Prepare egg wash: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 whole egg and 1 teaspoon water to create an egg wash that will give the pastry edges a glossy, golden finish.
5. Cut the puff pastry: Unwrap one sheet of puff pastry at a time and cut each sheet into 12 equal rectangles. Using a fork, prick the dough all over except for a 1/2-inch border around the edges to prevent puffing in the center.
6. Transfer to baking sheet: Place the cut puff pastry rectangles on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ready for filling and topping.
7. Add the filling: Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture onto each rectangle, leaving the edges clear to allow a nice crust to form.
8. Top with fruit and glaze: Arrange the prepared fruit slices or berries over the cream cheese layer. Brush the fruit with apricot jam to glaze and add shine, then brush the pastry edges with the egg wash to promote golden browning.
9. Bake: Place the baking sheet on the middle oven rack and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry edges are golden, flaky, and puffed.
10. Serve: Allow the cheese danish to cool slightly, then serve warm or at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Substitute the apricot fruit with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or cherries as per preference.
• Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps.
• Pricking the pastry edges prevents excessive puffing in the center and helps keep a neat border.
• Use a sharp knife to cut the puff pastry evenly for consistent baking.
• For a dairy-free variation, substitute cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese alternative.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cheese Danish, Puff Pastry, Cream Cheese Filling, Fruit Pastries, Easy Danish Recipe, Apricot Danish, Breakfast Pastry