Easy Raspberry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe

Growing up whenever we'd go on vacations, my parents would let me pick out whatever I wanted for breakfast, and I always picked a raspberry danish! To recreate this childhood memory at home, I made this Easy Raspberry Cream Cheese Danish recipe. The tart raspberries pair perfectly with the creamy, sweet cream cheese filling on top of flaky puff pastry.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• This easy recipe uses store bought puff pastry, so you don't have to worry about rolling and folding homemade pastry dough.
• The combination of raspberries and cream cheese is a match made in heaven for these breakfast pastries. If you love this combination, you might also enjoy my Strawberry Cream Cheese Muffins and Cheesecake Stuffed Raspberry Cookies!
• With 10 ingredients and only a few simple steps, you can make this easy fruit danish recipe any day of the week.
• It's a great danish pastry recipe to add your personal spin on using your favorite fruit.
• It's a fruity take on my Braided Almond Danish recipe!

Ingredients

• Pre-made puff pastry sheets are what takes a traditionally complex danish recipe and makes it incredibly easy! You can find this product in the freezer section of your grocery store. Place it in the refrigerator overnight so it is ready to use when you make your danish pastries.
• Fresh raspberries are the star of these danishes. Slicing the berries in half makes them the perfect size to top these adorable little pastries.
• Cornstarch helps the berries come together in a thicker sauce so the juices don't run out over your pastries. 
• Lemon juice brightens up the flavor of your fruit and offsets the sweetness from the sugar. Use freshly squeezed juice for the best results.

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Substitutions & Variations

• Substitute other berries such as strawberries, blueberries, or blackberries in place of the raspberries.
• Using stone fruit is another great option for your fruit fillings. Slice peaches or plums to place on top of the cream cheese filling.
• If you want to make your own pastry instead of using a store bought one, I recommend this rough puff pastry recipe and guide!
• Cut the puff pastry into any shape you like! See below for heart-shaped danishes for Valentine's Day!

This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: In a medium bowl, gently mix the halved raspberries, cornstarch, sugar, and lemon juice. Set aside.

Step 2: In a mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.

Step 3: Roll out the puff pastry sheet slightly to about a 9 by 11 inch rectangle with a rolling pin, and then cut into 6 rectangles with a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Gently score a rectangle inside of each pastry, about ¼ inch from the center.

Step 4: Spread the cream cheese mixture inside the indentation in the middle of the dough of each rectangle.

Step 5: Add raspberries on top of the cream cheese filling. In a small bowl, make an egg wash by beating the egg and water together. Brush the egg wash on the edges of each rectangle using a pastry brush. Bake at 395°F for 17-20 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown to your liking. Let cool for a few minutes.

Step 6: Make the icing by mixing powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, then drizzle onto the raspberry danishes.

Valentine's Day Heart Danishes

These are perfect for Valentine's Day breakfast! Use a knife or pastry cutter to cut hearts out of the puff pastry sheet. Score and top with cream cheese filling, raspberry mixture, and egg wash according to the recipe instructions. They will bake up into cute heart danishes!

I was able to cut out 8 hearts from 1 store-bought puff pastry sheet. I baked the scraps with leftover cream cheese and raspberry fillings and they were flaky and delicious!

Expert Tips

Tip #1 - Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before beating. This will guarantee a smooth filling without any clumps.

Tip #2 - Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper makes cleanup easier if your fruit juice runs over in the oven.

Tip #3 - When adding the raspberries to the cream cheese mixture, try to leave behind as much of the excess juice as possible.

Recipe FAQs

Storage

Room Temperature

Although best eaten on the first day, you can store your danishes overnight in a paper bag inside of an airtight container. The paper will help absorb some of the moisture, helping your flaky pastry stay crisp.

Refrigerator

Pastries can be stored in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 20-40 seconds before enjoying!

Freezing Instructions

Store raspberry danishes in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month and then heat in the microwave when you're ready to eat them.

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