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Celebrate summer mornings with a delicious batch of cream cheese Danish pastries! These flaky puff pastry desserts, filled with creamy cheese and topped with fresh fruit, are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a mid-day snack. Quick and easy to prepare in just 35 minutes, they're a delightful addition to any gathering.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
These cream cheese Danish pastries are incredibly versatile, elegant, and easy to make. With their buttery puff pastry, sweet cream cheese filling, and vibrant fruit toppings, they're perfect for any occasion. The recipe uses simple ingredients and can be customized with your favorite fruits, making them a delightful homemade treat.
Essential Ingredients For Success
- Puff Pastry: 2 sheets (17.3 oz/490g) at 40°F (4°C). Should be pliable but cold, with visible layers. Thickness 1/8 inch when rolled.
- Cream Cheese: 8 oz (227g) at 65-68°F (18-20°C), full-fat (minimum 33% milk fat), smooth with no lumps.
- Granulated Sugar: 1/4 cup (50g) pure cane sugar, fine crystal size for smooth incorporation.
- Sour Cream: 2 tablespoons (30g) at 65°F (18°C), full-fat (14% milk fat) for optimal texture.
- Fresh Lime:
- Zest: 1 tablespoon finely grated (no white pith)
- Juice: 2 teaspoons (10ml) strained of pulp
- Pure Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon (5ml), clear variety for clean appearance.
- Fresh Fruit:
- Blueberries: 1 cup (150g), firm and dry, 1/2-inch diameter
- Strawberries: 1 cup (150g), halved lengthwise, uniform size
- Unsalted Butter: 2 tablespoons (28g) melted and cooled to 110°F (43°C).
- Sanding Sugar: 2 tablespoons (30g) large crystal size for optimal crunch.
Step By Step Instructions
- Environment Preparation
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), verified with separate thermometer. Position racks in upper and lower thirds. Maintain room temperature 68-72°F (20-22°C) with humidity below 60%.
- Pastry Development
- Roll pastry on lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut twelve 4.5-inch circles. Score inner circle 1/2-inch from edge, creating 1/2-inch border. Dock centers with fork at 1/4-inch intervals.
- Filling Creation
- Mix cream cheese at 65°F (18°C) until smooth (2 minutes). Add sugar gradually until dissolved. Incorporate sour cream, lime zest, juice, and vanilla until homogeneous. Final temperature should be 68-70°F (20-21°C).
- Assembly Protocol
- Pipe or spread 2 tablespoons (30g) filling in each center, staying within scored border. Place 6-8 blueberries or 3-4 strawberry halves on each, maintaining 1/4-inch space between fruit.
- Final Preparation
- Brush borders with melted butter at 110°F (43°C). Sprinkle with sanding sugar (approximately 1/2 teaspoon per pastry).
- Baking Specifications
- Bake 15-16 minutes at 400°F (200°C) until edges reach golden brown (Pantone 7509 C). Rotate pans halfway through. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Cooling Process
- Cool on pans 5 minutes until temperature drops to 120°F (49°C). Transfer to wire rack and cool completely to 75°F (24°C), approximately 20 minutes.
Storage Tips
Store cream cheese Danish pastries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Avoid leaving them at room temperature for more than two hours, as the cream cheese filling requires refrigeration.
Kitchen Tools for Success
A round pastry cutter, a rolling pin, and a stand mixer will make preparing these pastries a breeze. Silicone baking mats or parchment paper ensure easy cleanup. Brush melted butter with a pastry brush and use a fine zester for perfect lime zest garnishing.
Customization Ideas
Swap the fruit toppings for raspberries, blackberries, or sliced peaches to suit your taste. Add a drizzle of honey or a dusting of powdered sugar before serving for extra sweetness. You can also experiment with flavored cream cheese for unique variations.
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Serving Suggestions
Serve these Danish pastries alongside a pot of tea or coffee for a cozy breakfast. Pair them with a fresh fruit salad or a side of yogurt for a well-rounded brunch spread. They're also great as an elegant dessert with a dollop of whipped cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make these ahead of time?
While best served fresh, you can prepare the cream cheese filling a day ahead. Assemble and bake just before serving.
- → Why score the pastry rounds?
Scoring creates a border that puffs up around the filling, containing it and creating that classic danish look.
- → Can I use other fruits?
Yes, any fresh berries or sliced stone fruits work well. Just avoid very wet fruits that might make the pastry soggy.
- → Why let them cool before serving?
The filling needs time to set slightly, and the pastry becomes flakier as it cools.
- → Can I freeze these danish?
Best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze unfilled puff pastry rounds and thaw when needed.