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Cherry Danish with Cream Cheese Filling and Almond Topping Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 66 reviews

This Cherry Danish recipe features flaky crescent roll dough filled with a smooth cream cheese mixture and topped with sweet cherry pie filling. Finished with a simple powdered sugar glaze and optional slivered almonds, these Danishes are easy to make and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful dessert treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 5 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • ¼ cup sugar

Cherry Topping

  • 21 ounces cherry pie filling

Dough and Assembly

  • 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). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside to prepare for baking.
  2. Make Cream Cheese Filling: 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 the mixture is smooth and well combined. Set aside.
  3. Prepare Egg Wash: In a small bowl, beat the egg with water using a fork to create an egg wash. This will help seal and brown the edges of the dough.
  4. Cut Crescent Rolls: Open one package of the chilled crescent rolls and keep them in their original tube shape without unrolling. Place the tube on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut it into 12 equal pieces.
  5. Shape Dough Circles: Using your fingers and thumb, gently flatten each dough piece in the middle to form a small circle. Arrange these dough circles on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Brush the edges and sides of each dough circle lightly with the egg wash to help browning and sealing.
  6. Add Filling and Cherries: Spoon a small amount of the cream cheese filling into the center of each dough circle. Then, place 2 cherries from the cherry pie filling atop the cream cheese layer on each Danish.
  7. Bake: Bake the Danishes in the preheated oven for 10 to 11 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the pastry is cooked through. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool for about 5 minutes before adding the glaze.
  8. Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and whole milk until the glaze is smooth and free of lumps. Drizzle the glaze lightly over each cooled Danish using a spoon or a piping bag.
  9. Garnish and Repeat: Optionally, sprinkle slivered almonds over the glazed Danishes for added texture and flavor. Open the second tube of crescent rolls and repeat all the steps to make additional Cherry Danishes.

Notes

  • Ensure the crescent rolls are chilled before cutting to maintain their shape during baking.
  • The egg wash helps achieve a golden, glossy finish on the pastry edges.
  • You can substitute almond extract with vanilla extract if preferred.
  • For a different flavor twist, consider using blueberry or raspberry pie filling instead of cherry.
  • Serve these Danishes warm or at room temperature for best taste.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

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

Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/cherry-danish-with-cream-cheese-filling-and-almond-topping-recipe/