Description
This Decadent Blueberry Cream Cheese Danish recipe combines flaky puff pastry with a creamy sweetened cream cheese filling and a luscious homemade blueberry topping. Perfect for a brunch or special breakfast, these Danish pastries are baked to golden perfection and optionally dusted with powdered sugar for added sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry and Filling
- 2 puff pastry sheets
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp water (for egg wash)
Blueberry Topping
- 1 1/2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cornstarch
Optional
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Unfold both puff pastry sheets and cut each one into 4 equal squares, resulting in 8 total squares. Using a knife, score a 1/2-inch border around each square without cutting through. Prick the centers with a fork to prevent excessive puffing in the middle.
- Make Cream Cheese Filling: In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Assemble Cream Cheese Base: Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese filling into the center of each puff pastry square, staying within the scored borders.
- Cook Blueberry Topping: In a small saucepan, combine the blueberries, 2 tablespoons of water, and lemon juice. Simmer over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes until the berries soften and release juice.
- Thicken Blueberries: Stir in the cornstarch and cook for an additional minute, allowing the mixture to thicken. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly to prevent melting the pastry filling.
- Add Blueberry Topping to Pastries: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cooled blueberry topping over the cream cheese on each pastry square.
- Apply Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 teaspoon of water. Brush the puff pastry borders with this egg wash to promote a golden and shiny finish when baked.
- Bake: Place the prepared pastries on the lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown.
- Finish and Serve: Allow the Danish to cool slightly before optionally dusting them with powdered sugar. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor.
Notes
- Fresh or frozen blueberries can be used; if using frozen, thaw slightly before cooking.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
- Puff pastry must be kept cold until ready to use to ensure proper puffing while baking.
- Scoring the pastry borders helps control how the dough puffs up, creating a nice edge to hold the filling.
- Powdered sugar is optional but adds a lovely finishing touch for presentation and slight sweetness.
