Mini Cherry Cheese Danishes are the perfect bite-sized pastries that combine the sweet-tart flavor of cherries with a creamy, lightly sweetened cheesecake filling, all wrapped in buttery, flaky puff pastry. These delightful treats offer the elegance of a bakery-style danish with the ease of a home-baked recipe. Whether you’re serving them for brunch, dessert, or as a sweet addition to a holiday spread, these mini danishes are sure to impress with both their appearance and taste. Making them at home gives you the freedom to use quality ingredients and adjust sweetness or fruit filling to your liking. This recipe is approachable for bakers of all skill levels and delivers professional-looking results with minimal effort.
There’s something magical about the contrast of creamy cheese filling and fruity topping, all cradled in golden puff pastry. The tangy cherries balance the richness of the cheese and the buttery layers of pastry create the ideal texture contrast. Store-bought puff pastry simplifies the process, allowing you to focus on the filling and assembly. These danishes look impressive enough for special occasions but are easy enough for everyday indulgence. Once baked, the aroma alone is enough to gather everyone into the kitchen.
Storage Options
Store cooled danishes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–7 minutes to re-crisp the pastry. Freezing is not recommended as the filling can change texture.
Summary
Mini Cherry Cheese Danishes are flaky puff pastry squares filled with sweetened cream cheese and topped with cherry pie filling, baked until golden and irresistible. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s simple, quick, and delivers bakery-level flavor. The use of store-bought puff pastry saves time. Each danish is the perfect two-bite treat. They’re easily customizable and crowd-pleasing. No fancy skills required.
Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Mixing bowl
Hand mixer or whisk
Spoon or small spatula
Knife or pizza cutter
Pastry brush
Tips for Success
Thaw puff pastry fully before using but keep it cold to ensure flakiness. Don’t overfill each square to prevent leaking. Seal edges lightly for a neat shape. Bake until deeply golden for best texture.
Ingredients
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup cherry pie filling
1 egg (for egg wash)
Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until smooth.
- Roll out puff pastry slightly and cut into 9 equal squares.
- Lightly score a smaller square inside each puff pastry piece, being careful not to cut all the way through.
- Spoon about a teaspoon of cream cheese filling into the center of each square, spreading gently.
- Top each with a small spoonful of cherry pie filling.
- Beat egg and brush the edges of each square with the egg wash.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.
- Let cool slightly and dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Additional Tips or Variations
Try blueberry, strawberry, or apple pie filling instead of cherry. Add lemon zest to the cheese mixture for brightness. Use a glaze instead of powdered sugar for a glossy finish. Make them larger for a more traditional danish look.
