If you’re craving a delightful pastry that’s both irresistible and surprisingly simple to make, this Easy Cherry Cheese Danish Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. Imagine flaky, golden crescent dough pillows filled with luscious cream cheese and a burst of sweet cherry pie filling, all finished with a glossy drizzle of vanilla glaze. Whether you’re treating yourself for breakfast, hosting brunch, or impressing friends with something homemade, this recipe balances ease and flavor beautifully, making it a total joy to bake and even more enjoyable to eat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these few yet key ingredients will make your Easy Cherry Cheese Danish Recipe come to life with amazing flavor and texture. Each one plays a special role, from the tender dough that forms the perfect base to the luscious cherry filling that gives it that pop of color and sweetness you’ll adore.
- Refrigerated crescent dough sheet or crescent dinner rolls (8 oz): This flaky, buttery dough is the foundation, providing that classic Danish texture without any fuss.
- Cream cheese spread (1/3 cup): Offers a rich, smooth creaminess that contrasts perfectly with the cherry topping.
- Powdered sugar (3 tablespoons + 1/2 cup): The smaller portion sweetens the cheese filling, while the larger amount is for creating a luscious, shiny glaze.
- Cherry pie filling (8-10 teaspoons): Adds vibrant color and fruity sweetness that makes every bite memorable.
- Milk (2 to 3 teaspoons): Used to thin the glaze just right so it drapes beautifully over each Danish.
How to Make Easy Cherry Cheese Danish Recipe
Step 1: Ready Your Oven and Dough
First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F. Take the refrigerated dough out, but here’s a neat trick: do not unroll it! Instead, cut the dough into 8 individual slices. When placing them on your cookie sheet, leave about 2 inches of space between each slice because the dough will puff up as it bakes. Gently press each slice into roughly a 3-inch round, making sure you leave a raised ridge around the edges to contain all those wonderful fillings.
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
In a small bowl, mix together your cream cheese and 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. This sweetened cream cheese will add a dreamy richness beneath the cherry topping, creating the perfect balance of flavors.
Step 3: Fill the Dough Circles
Spoon about 2 teaspoons of your cream cheese mixture right into the center of each dough round. Use the back of your spoon to spread it evenly but keep it within the edges to avoid any spillage while baking.
Step 4: Add the Cherry Pie Filling
Now, spoon approximately 1 teaspoon of cherry pie filling over the cream cheese on each round. The bright cherries will sit on top like jewels, promising that signature fruity punch with every bite.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place your cookie sheet in the oven and bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the Danish pastries turn a golden brown. Once baked, let them cool on the sheet for about 4 to 5 minutes to set before moving them gently to a cooling rack.
Step 6: Prepare and Drizzle the Glaze
While your Danishes cool, mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 2 to 3 teaspoons of milk in a small bowl. Start with 2 teaspoons and add more milk as needed until you reach a smooth, drizzling consistency. Finally, drizzle this sweet glaze over each Danish to add a lovely shine and an extra touch of sweetness.
How to Serve Easy Cherry Cheese Danish Recipe
Garnishes
Though these Danishes are picture-perfect on their own, adding a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted almonds or a few fresh mint leaves can elevate their presentation and add a subtle crunch or freshness. A light dusting of additional powdered sugar right before serving can also make them feel extra special.
Side Dishes
Pairing your Easy Cherry Cheese Danish Recipe with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, a vibrant fruit salad, or a glass of chilled orange juice creates a lovely breakfast or brunch ensemble. These light, complementary sides balance the richness of the Danish and make your meal feel complete and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, you can arrange your Danishes on a tiered serving tray alongside other mini pastries for a charming buffet-style setup. Another idea is to serve them warm in a decorative basket lined with a colorful cloth napkin to make guests feel truly welcomed and delighted.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (and that’s a wonderful problem to have), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This helps keep the dough tender, and the cream cheese filling soft but fresh.
Freezing
To enjoy this Easy Cherry Cheese Danish Recipe at a later time, you can freeze the baked Danishes. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months without losing their delightful flavor or texture.
Reheating
When you’re ready for another round of this delicious treat, simply warm the Danishes in a 350°F oven for about 5 to 7 minutes. This reheating method revives their fresh-baked flakiness and melts the cream cheese filling just right, making them taste like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use frozen crescent dough instead of refrigerated?
Yes, you can use frozen crescent dough as long as it is fully thawed before you start. Thawing it in the refrigerator overnight is ideal to maintain the dough’s texture and make it easier to handle.
Is it possible to use other fruit fillings for this recipe?
Absolutely! While cherry pie filling is classic and delicious, flavors like blueberry, raspberry, or apricot also work wonderfully and bring their own unique flair to this Easy Cherry Cheese Danish Recipe.
Do I need to add more sugar if I prefer a sweeter Danish?
You can adjust the sweetness by adding an extra tablespoon of powdered sugar to the cream cheese filling or the glaze. Just be careful not to overpower the delicate balance of flavors with too much sugar.
What can I substitute for cream cheese spread?
If you don’t have cream cheese spread, regular cream cheese works just as well. Just soften it at room temperature before mixing with the powdered sugar to achieve a similar creamy texture.
Can I prepare these Danishes the night before baking?
Yes! You can assemble the Danishes and refrigerate them overnight. When ready to bake, bring them back to room temperature for about 15 minutes, then bake as instructed for that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Cherry Cheese Danish Recipe is a shining example of how a few simple ingredients and a little love in the kitchen can produce an absolutely stunning pastry. It’s comforting, delicious, and perfect for any occasion where you want to impress without the hassle. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and discover just how easy and rewarding homemade Danishes can be!
Print
Easy Cherry Cheese Danish Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Cherry Cheese Danish recipe features flaky crescent dough filled with a creamy sweetened cream cheese mixture and topped with luscious cherry pie filling. Finished with a simple powdered sugar glaze, these Danish pastries bake to a golden perfection in just 14 minutes, making for a quick and delicious treat.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent dough sheet or 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
Filling
- 1/3 cup cream cheese spread
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 8–10 teaspoons cherry pie filling
Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 teaspoons milk
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Dough: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Remove the dough from the can but do not unroll it. Cut the dough into 8 slices and place them about 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet. Press each slice into roughly a 3-inch round, making sure to leave a ridge around the outer edge to hold the filling.
- Make Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese spread with 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar until smooth and well blended.
- Assemble Danish: Spoon about 2 teaspoons of the cream cheese mixture onto the center of each dough round and spread it out slightly but keep within the ridge.
- Add Cherry Topping: Place about 1 teaspoon of cherry pie filling on top of the cream cheese mixture in each dough round.
- Bake Pastries: Bake the assembled Danish pastries in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes or until they turn golden brown. Once baked, allow them to cool on the cookie sheet for 4 to 5 minutes before moving.
- Prepare and Drizzle Glaze: In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 2 to 3 teaspoons of milk, starting with 2 teaspoons and adding more as needed to reach your desired glaze consistency. Drizzle this glaze over the warm Danish pastries before serving.
Notes
- Be careful not to unroll the dough fully; cutting it into slices as is helps maintain the crescent layers for a flakier texture.
- The ridge around the dough keeps the filling from spilling out during baking.
- You can substitute cherry pie filling with other fruit fillings like blueberry or strawberry for variety.
- If you prefer a thicker glaze, add the milk gradually and adjust accordingly.
- Serve the Danishes warm for best flavor and texture.
