Mini Cherry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe

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If you love sweet breakfasts, then this recipe for cherry cream cheese danish is going to be a hit at your table. A simple semi-homemade pastry, this is perfect for dessert as much as it is for breakfast. This Danish is made with cherry filling and cream cheese, making it the perfect balance of a sweet and savory treat.

spoon of glaze held above stack of danishes

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Cherry Cream Cheese Danish
What Do I Serve With A Danish?
Ingredients
Handy Kitchen Tools
How to Make Cherry Cream Cheese Danish
Frequently Asked Questions
More Easy Sweet Breakfasts
📖 Recipe

Cherry Cream Cheese Danish

I love pastry, but traditionally takes a lot of time and effort I don't always have. So, the solution is to use a ready-made pastry or dough and just top it with ingredients to make your own semi-homemade pastry breakfast. This cherry danish is a great example that is sure to become a family favorite.

The recipe is easy to follow and will make your kitchen smell amazing. You can even prepare it ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready. The end result is a pastry that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with sweet cherry and cream cheese filling that oozes out with every bite.

Of course, if you like this recipe, then you have to try out my homemade strawberry cream cheese danish. Another version with simple ingredients that are delicious.

white oval plate filled with cherry danishes

What Do I Serve With A Danish?

When I reach for a danish at breakfast, I tend to enjoy just that with my morning coffee. I do realize, however, that isn't the most balanced meal. So, if you want something a bit more traditional, there are some ideas below to serve with your danish.

Oven-baked bacon and some homemade yogurt are a great addition that really compliments this sweet treat. You can serve with a burst tomato basil and fontina frittata as a way to balance the richness. Of course, a simple fried, boiled, scrambled, or poached egg adds protein and balance to the meal.

stack of cherry cream cheese danish on gray table

Ingredients

1 roll of pizza dough
¼ cup all-purpose flour
4 ounces cream cheese
⅓ cup granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (20 oz) can of cherry pie filling

Optional Glaze

⅓ cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons milk

parchment paper underneath cream cheese cherry danish

Handy Kitchen Tools

How to Make Cherry Cream Cheese Danish

Start by preheating the oven to 350°F/175°C and preparing your baking sheet. I usually cover with parchment paper but you can also use a silicone baking mat. This just makes cleanup easier.

Now, you will prepare the dough. If using crescent roll dough, just pull apart and twist the dough into a round. I used a log of pizza dough. So, lightly dust the counter with flour, then roll the dough into a log and cut into 1" pieces.

Place the dough rounds onto the prepared baking sheet around 1" apart.

Use a spoon or measuring cup to create a divet or well in the dough if using pizza dough. The crescent rolls will naturally curve into a rounded shape with a bit of a divet in the middle.

Now, mix the filling by beating together the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract with a mixer until smooth, approximately 1 minute.

hand stirring crema cheese in white bowl

Into the well of the pastry, add 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture.

Top that with around 1 tablespoon of cherry pie filling.

spoon of pie filling on top of cream cheese danish

Now, bake the pastries for 18 to 20 minutes until the dough is cooked and golden on the outside and the center is nice and melted together.

Set these aside to cool on the baking sheet while you prepare the glaze. Whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth.

Once the danish has cooled, drizzle with the glaze before serving.

These are typically served at room temperature but can be served warm.

homemade danishes stacked on wooden board

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make This With Different Fruit?

You could absolutely use a different fruit filling in this recipe. All you have to do is change the pie filling. If you wanted to change the filling, I would recommend using something like blueberry or raspberry. Next to cherry, those are my favorite. Apple is another very popular danish flavor. If you wanted to use a compote, I would recommend using something like apricot or peach, but again, any flavor of compote will work.

In a pinch, you can use any fruit preserves or jam with bits of fruit. Of course, fresh fruit that has been macerated and cooked down works wonderfully as well.

Do These Need to Be Refrigerated?

No, these do not need to be refrigerated. In fact, they are best served at room temperature. Make sure to store them in an airtight container when you store them on the counter.

However, if you do want to store them in the fridge, they will last for up to 6-7 days. Again, make sure that the danish are stored in an airtight container. Make sure to bring them back to room temp before serving or else they will feel hard and won't have the soft dough you look for with danish.

How Long Are Homemade Danishes Good For?

When the homemade danish is stored at room temperature and protected from getting stale, it will be good for 2-3 days. If you store them in the fridge, they will last up to 1 week.

Homemade cherry cheese danish can also be stored in the freezer. Place the danish on a plate in the freezer to let it freeze with the filling. Then you can wrap each one well in plastic and place it in a freezer bag. When you are ready to eat the danish, remove the plastic wrap so the filling does not stick to the plastic and let thaw at room temperature.

What Should I Use for the Pastry?

Making a homemade danish dough is an option but for many people, that is a lot of work and they don't want to invest that kind of time. In that case, you can use other pre-made doughs.

This version used a package of refrigerated Pillsbury pizza dough. Another option that is flakier is crescent roll dough, and phyllo dough can also be used for the flaky texture.

danish on wire rack with spoon drizzling glaze over top

More Easy Sweet Breakfasts

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and starting your day with some sweet goodness is always fun. This recipe is a favorite, but below are some more delicious sweet breakfast ideas that are easy to make. Make sure that you bookmark the recipe, print out the recipe, or just pin it to Pinterest to make it soon.

📖 Recipe

Yield: 8