This easy Philadelphia cream cheese puff pastry Danish tart recipe will be the talk of the table at your next fancy breakfast party or brunch! Made with flaky puff pastry, cream cheese filling, and fresh berries, they aren't just tasty but absolutely beautiful. If you have been looking for the perfect puff pastry with cream cheese filling recipe to turn heads and satisfy the taste buds, look no further!
What is the difference between puff pastry and Danish pastry
The terms "puff pastry" and "Danish pastry" are sometimes used interchangeably due to their similar shape and appearance. However, while a Danish is a variant of the puff pastry, the two are prepared differently and have different characteristics.
Danish pastries are much more complicated than the traditional French puff pastry, which is made with flour, butter, vinegar, and water. They are leavened with yeast and include egg, milk, or cream, and sugar to sweeten the dough. Danish pastries also have a much higher fat level and are less airy and crisp than puff pastries.
The recipe below is made with puff pastry - to keep it simple - but they are often referred to as "Danish" due to their shape and crispiness.
Why this is the best Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Danish recipe
- It is easy to make - This is an easy cheese Danish recipe that requires minimal effort and just 15 minutes to put together. The rest of the time is spent waiting for it to bake!
- It only requires a handful of ingredients - My easy cream cheese puff pastry recipe only requires store bought puff pastry, fresh fruit, and a few of your everyday household ingredients. No specialty store visits are required!
- It is versatile - One of the best things about these easy cream cheese puff pastry tarts is that you can make them with various fillings, toppings, and flavors. See my Flavor Variations & Substitutions section for inspiration.
- It is perfect for fancy occasions - These cream cheese puff pastry danishes are simple yet eye-catching, just what you need to impress your guests.
Ingredients
- ▢2 packs of Puff pastry store-bought or two portions of my homemade rough puff pastry
- ▢226 g (1 cup) Cream cheese full fat, e.g. Philadephia
- ▢67 g (⅓ cups) Granulated sugar
- ▢1 Egg yolk
- ▢1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ▢1 Egg for the egg wash
- ▢Splash of milk for the egg wash
- ▢Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or any other berries
How to make this recipe
- If using frozen puff pastry sheets, thaw them until soft enough to pull apart but still very cold.
- Meanwhile, wash the berries. If using strawberries or raspberries, cut them lengthwise into two pieces.
- Next, whisk the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and egg yolk in a small bowl for a few minutes until thoroughly combined.
- Unfold one of the thawed puff pastry sheets and cut it into six rectangles.
- Use a sharp knife to lightly score each rectangle about half an inch in on all four sides, being careful not to cut all the way through.
- Then, take one tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture and spread it on the pastry, leaving out the scored side. Arrange the fruits on top.
- Next, make the egg wash by whisking the egg with a splash of milk. Lightly apply the wash around the pastry, not over the cream cheese or fruit.
- Repeat the same process with the second pastry sheet. You will have 12 cream cheese puff pastry tarts at the end, six for each baking sheet.
- Keeping the puff pastry as cold as possible is critical to the recipe's success. It will be too sticky to work with if it becomes too warm. Never try to force a warm puff pastry. Instead, you can always pop it in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes to chill until firm again.
- Move the puff pastry danishes to the fridge to chill. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 200C / 392F without a fan.
- Once preheated, bake the puff pastry tarts for 40-45 minutes. After about 15 minutes, cover them with aluminum foil to prevent the top of the pastry from browning and burning before the bottom bakes.
- Once baked, let them cool on the baking sheet for approximately three minutes. Then, move them onto a cooling rack.
💡 Top Tip: Working in a cold kitchen helps make working with the puff pastry dough easy. Additionally, try to handle the dough as quick as possible. If making the dough from scratch, use a rolling pin to avoid overhandling it.
Storage & freezing
These cream cheese puff pastry Danishes have the best flavor and texture when you serve them fresh on the same day. However, you can store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
To freeze, wait until the puff pastry Danish has cooled completely, then move it to a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between each pastry. It will last in the freezer for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator or reheat in the oven until warm.
Flavor Variations & Substitutions
Once you learn how to make this easy puff pastry cream cheese recipe, you can customize it to suit your tastes and preferences in several ways.
You can top your puff pastry Danish tarts with jam, pie filling, or other fruits such as sliced apples, apricots, or pears (as I do in my pear puff pastry tarts). Just make sure what you use is not too juicy, which will cause the puff pastry dough to get soggy.
You can skip the fruit and top the cream cheese with chocolate chips or crushed nuts. Or, you can serve them with the cream cheese filling only.
Add a little fresh lemon juice or lemon zest to give the cream cheese filling a zesty flavor. You can also swap the vanilla extract for another flavor, such as orange or almond.
To make your cream cheese puff pastry savory, top it with ham and mushrooms, pesto, or tomato and basil.
Once baked, top them with powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey or my homemade caramel glaze.
Expert tips
- Work as quickly as possible with the dough to prevent it from getting too warm.
- Use room temperature egg yolk and softened cream cheese for a smooth, creamy filling.
- Avoid adding more cream cheese filling or fruit to the pastry than as instructed in the recipe. While it may be tempting to top it with more delicious fillings, adding too much can make the pastry too moist, cause leaks, and prevent it from baking correctly.
- Before removing the pastry from the oven, check whether the bottom is well-baked. It should be golden brown on the top and bottom and not appear wet or doughy.
More Puff Pastry Recipes
Cinnamon twists make an easy dessert appetizer to share around and enjoy with coffee. Puff pastry is brushed with rich butter and then sprinkled with fragrant cinnamon sugar before being twisted up and baked in the oven. Don't miss their crunchy, spiced warmth!
Go to the recipe: Cinnamon Twists
Palmiers
Sweet and sugary palmiers are an easy and crisp puff pastry recipe. They contain just two ingredients, and if you use store-bought puff pastry, they take just 40 minutes! Serve palmiers with a cup of coffee; it's one of the quickest, easiest dessert pastry recipes. They are the ideal choice of sweet puff pastry recipes for beginner bakers.
Go to the recipe: Palmiers
Mille Feuille
Mille Feuille is one of my favorite puff pastry recipes. While we normally aim for a beautiful rise with puff pastry, it is weighed down during baking to prevent this from happening in Mille Feuille. The compacted pastry becomes deliciously crisp and is then stacked into a tower held in place with vanilla pastry cream (crème Pâtissière) and decorated with powdered sugar, fresh fruit, or chocolate.
Go to the recipe: Mille Feuille
Chocolate Puff Pastry
If you love chocolate, you will certainly want to try this easy chocolate puff pastry recipe! With just two main ingredients, this simple recipe takes store-bought puff pastry to the next level by rolling in decadent chocolate chips. The result is a soft, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate pastry with a flaky outer shell and a creamy chocolate interior.
Go to the recipe: Chocolate Puff Pastry
Leave a Reply