Description
This Decadent Blueberry Cream Cheese Danish recipe offers a deliciously flaky puff pastry filled with a smooth cream cheese mixture and topped with a luscious homemade blueberry compote. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, these danishes are easy to prepare and bake to a golden perfection in just 30 minutes.
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
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) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Unfold both puff pastry sheets and cut each into 4 equal squares to make 8 squares total. Score a 1/2-inch border around each square and prick the centers with a fork to allow steam to escape.
- Make Cream Cheese Filling: In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Fill Puff Pastry: Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese filling into the center of each puff pastry square, keeping it inside the scored border.
- Cook Blueberry Topping: In a small saucepan, combine blueberries, 2 tablespoons of water, and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3–5 minutes until blueberries start to break down.
- Thicken Topping: Stir in cornstarch and cook for another minute until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let cool slightly to prevent puffing issues during baking.
- Add Topping: Spoon 1 tablespoon of the slightly cooled blueberry topping over the cream cheese filling on each puff pastry square.
- Apply Egg Wash: Whisk the egg with 1 teaspoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush this along the borders of each pastry square to help them bake with a shiny, golden finish.
- Bake: Place the prepared pastries on the lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, or until the puff pastry has risen and turned a golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving to add a touch of sweetness and elegance.
Notes
- Fresh or frozen blueberries can be used for the topping; if frozen, no need to thaw before cooking.
- Ensure the cream cheese filling is smooth to avoid lumps in the danish.
- Chilling the puff pastry briefly before baking can help achieve better puff and flakiness.
- Powdered sugar is optional but adds a nice decorative finish.
- These danishes are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
