Creating the perfect raspberry cream cheese danish at home has never been easier! This delightful pastry combines buttery, flaky layers with rich cream cheese filling and bursts of sweet-tart raspberries. Whether you're hosting a weekend brunch or treating yourself to a special breakfast, this raspberry cream cheese danish delivers bakery-quality results every time.

My grandmother's secret to achieving that perfect balance of textures and flavors lies in the technique we'll share today. This raspberry cream cheese danish recipe transforms simple ingredients into an elegant pastry that rivals any professional bakery, and the best part is you can have it ready in just 30 minutes using store-bought puff pastry.

Raspberry cream cheese danish pastries with glaze

Background & Why This Recipe Stands Out

Traditional Danish pastries require hours of laminating dough, but this raspberry cream cheese danish recipe simplifies the process without sacrificing flavor or texture. The combination of tangy cream cheese, fresh raspberries, and buttery pastry creates a harmonious blend that's both sophisticated and comforting. What makes this raspberry cream cheese danish truly special is the balance between the rich, creamy filling and the bright acidity of the raspberries.

Unlike many pastry recipes that can be finicky or time-consuming, this raspberry cream cheese danish is foolproof and forgiving. The cream cheese filling stays perfectly creamy without becoming runny, while the raspberries maintain their shape and provide beautiful color contrast. This approach ensures your raspberry cream cheese danish looks as stunning as it tastes, making it perfect for special occasions or everyday indulgence.

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Ingredients
Instructions
Equipment for Raspberry Cream Cheese Danish
Recipe Variations
Storage
The Secret to Bakery-Perfect Results
FAQ
Perfect Pairings: More Delicious Recipes to Try
Related
Pairing

Ingredients

Frozen puff pastry sheets
Cream cheese
Fresh raspberries
Granulated sugar
Vanilla extract
Egg
Powdered sugar
Milk
Lemon juice
Salt
Cornstarch

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Prepare the Filling and Pastry

Thaw puff pastry according to package directions
Beat cream cheese with sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth
Gently fold in fresh raspberries mixed with cornstarch
Roll out pastry on floured surface

Assemble the Danish

Cut pastry into rectangles or desired shapes
Spoon cream cheese mixture onto center of each piece
Fold or braid pastry edges over filling
Brush with beaten egg for golden finish

Bake to Perfection

Preheat oven to 400°F
Place assembled danish on parchment-lined baking sheet
Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown
Cool slightly before glazing with powdered sugar icing

Equipment for Raspberry Cream Cheese Danish

Rolling pin
Large mixing bowl
Electric hand mixer
Baking sheets
Parchment paper
Pastry brush
Wire cooling rack
Sharp knife
Measuring cups and spoons

Expert Cooking Tips

Keep puff pastry cold while working for best results
Don't overfill pastries to prevent leaking during baking
Seal edges well to contain the creamy filling
Use fresh raspberries for optimal flavor and texture
Brush with egg wash for beautiful golden color
Allow proper cooling time before adding glaze
Make small cuts in pastry to prevent excessive puffing

Recipe Variations

Substitute blueberries or blackberries for different flavors
Add lemon zest to cream cheese filling for citrus brightness
Create mini danish using smaller pastry squares
Try almond extract instead of vanilla for nutty undertone
Make savory versions with herbs and different cheeses
Use strawberry jam mixed with fresh berries
Add chopped almonds for extra crunch and flavor

Storage

Store leftover danish covered at room temperature for up to 2 days
Refrigerate if keeping longer than 2 days
Freeze unbaked assembled danish for up to 1 month
Reheat in 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness
Glaze should be added fresh after reheating
Wrap individually for grab-and-go breakfast options

The Secret to Bakery-Perfect Results

The key to achieving professional-quality raspberry cream cheese danish lies in temperature control and timing. Always work with properly thawed but still cold puff pastry; this ensures maximum flakiness without the dough becoming sticky or difficult to handle. The cream cheese filling should be at room temperature for easy mixing but not warm enough to melt the butter in the pastry.

Another crucial secret is the cornstarch mixed with the raspberries, which prevents the fruit from releasing too much juice and making the pastry soggy. This simple technique ensures your raspberry cream cheese danish maintains its beautiful appearance and perfect texture from oven to plate, giving you consistent bakery-style results every time.

FAQ

How long can cream cheese danish sit out?

Raspberry cream cheese danish can safely sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours due to food safety guidelines. The cream cheese filling contains dairy that can spoil if left out longer. For best quality and food safety, store your raspberry cream cheese danish in the refrigerator after 2 hours, especially in warm weather conditions.

Can you freeze a raspberry Danish?

Yes, you can freeze raspberry cream cheese danish both before and after baking. Unbaked assembled danish freeze well for up to one month; bake directly from frozen, adding 5-10 extra minutes. Baked raspberry cream cheese danish can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight and reheat in a low oven.

Why don't cheese danishes need to be refrigerated?

While some commercial cheese danishes contain preservatives allowing room temperature storage, homemade raspberry cream cheese danish should be refrigerated due to fresh dairy ingredients. The cream cheese filling in your homemade raspberry cream cheese danish lacks preservatives, making refrigeration necessary for food safety after the initial 2-hour window.

How many calories are in a raspberry Cheese Danish?

A typical homemade raspberry cream cheese danish contains approximately 280-320 calories, depending on size and ingredients used. The calories come primarily from the puff pastry butter, cream cheese, and sugar. Using light cream cheese can reduce calories by about 40-50 per raspberry cream cheese danish serving.

Perfect Pairings: More Delicious Recipes to Try

After mastering this delightful raspberry cream cheese danish, why not expand your baking repertoire with two more crowd-pleasing recipes? These complementary dishes will give you even more options for impressive homemade treats.

The Best Dutch Apple Pie Topping Recipe offers the perfect autumn dessert to follow your raspberry cream cheese danish success, while Perfect Pizza Pot Pie Recipe provides a savory option that showcases similar pastry techniques. Both recipes use accessible ingredients and straightforward methods, ensuring your raspberry cream cheese danish won't be the only bakery-quality item coming from your kitchen.

From my kitchen, with heart.
Alyssa Coleman ❤️

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