Description
This Blueberry Danish is a delightful, flaky puff pastry treat filled with a sweetened cream cheese mixture and topped with fresh blueberries. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, it’s easy to prepare and offers a balance of creamy, fruity, and buttery flavors baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry:
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Topping:
- ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1 tablespoon blueberry jam (optional)
Finishing:
- 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Make cream cheese mixture: In a small bowl, combine softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Mix until smooth and well incorporated to create a flavorful filling.
- Prepare puff pastry: Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet on a flat surface and cut it into 4 equal squares. Score a ½-inch border around each square by lightly cutting into the dough without cutting through, which will help create a raised edge when baked.
- Spread cream cheese filling: Evenly spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each pastry square, ensuring you stay within the scored border to avoid overflow during baking.
- Prepare blueberry topping: In a separate bowl, gently toss the blueberries with blueberry jam if using, to add sweetness and shine. Spoon the berry mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer on each square.
- Apply egg wash: Brush the edges of each pastry square with the beaten egg to give the pastry a beautiful golden and glossy finish when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed, golden brown, and cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Allow the danishes to cool slightly on the baking sheet before optionally dusting them with powdered sugar. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute raspberries or strawberries in place of blueberries for a different fruity flavor.
- If using frozen berries, do not thaw before baking to prevent sogginess and maintain pastry crispness.
- Best enjoyed the same day for optimal freshness and texture, but leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in a toaster oven.
