Artisan Blueberry Danish

Indulge in the irresistible charm of a freshly baked Blueberry Cream Cheese Danish, a delightful pastry that transforms your kitchen into a professional bakery. Forget the expensive coffee shop lines; with this incredibly easy recipe, you can create luscious, flaky danishes right at home, showcasing a vibrant burst of blueberry goodness complemented by a rich, tangy cream cheese filling. Topped with a delicate vanilla glaze, these homemade treats are not just a breakfast item but a celebration of simple pleasures and exquisite flavors.

Our recipe leverages the convenience of frozen puff pastry, making it accessible even for novice bakers. This allows you to achieve that coveted golden, ultra-flaky crust with minimal effort, ensuring every bite is a symphony of textures and tastes. The contrast between the crispy pastry, the smooth and creamy cheese filling, and the sweet-tart blueberry preserves is simply divine. It’s the perfect way to elevate your morning routine, impress guests at brunch, or simply treat yourself to a moment of pure bliss.

Crafting these blueberry danishes is a rewarding experience that promises incredible results. The synergy between the sweet, slightly tart blueberries and the creamy, subtly tangy cream cheese is what truly sets this recipe apart. Each danish is a small masterpiece, offering a sophisticated flavor profile that feels gourmet yet is surprisingly simple to achieve. Get ready to embark on a baking journey that will fill your home with an inviting aroma and your plate with heavenly pastries.

If you’re looking to explore more delightful pastry recipes, consider trying our Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish for a rich, decadent twist, our Strawberry Danish for a seasonal fruit variation, or our charming Mini Blueberry Pies for bite-sized fruit perfection.

The Magic Behind These Delicious Blueberry Danishes

There’s a secret to creating bakery-quality danishes at home without spending hours in the kitchen, and it all comes down to a few key elements that make this recipe an absolute winner. From the foundation of flaky pastry to the perfectly balanced fillings and glaze, every component plays a crucial role in delivering an unforgettable breakfast or dessert experience.

• Effortless Puff Pastry: The star of this danish is undoubtedly the puff pastry. By utilizing store-bought frozen puff pastry sheets, we eliminate the complex and time-consuming process of making dough from scratch. When baked, this wondrous pastry expands into countless delicate, buttery layers, creating an incredibly crispy and ethereal texture that is simply unmatched. It provides a luxurious base that beautifully cradles the rich fillings.
• Velvety Cream Cheese Filling: Beneath the vibrant blueberries lies a smooth, sweet, and slightly tangy cream cheese filling. This simple yet sophisticated mixture adds a delightful richness and a creamy contrast to the crisp pastry. Its subtle tanginess perfectly balances the sweetness of the fruit and glaze, making each bite incredibly satisfying and harmonious.
• Luscious Blueberry Preserves: Our homemade blueberry preserves are the heart of these danishes. Cooking down fresh or frozen blueberries with a touch of sugar and water intensifies their flavor, creating a thick, glossy, and deeply fruity filling. Stirring in fresh blueberries after cooking adds bursts of bright, natural fruit flavor and a pleasant textural variety, making the blueberry experience truly exceptional.
• Sweet Vanilla Icing: To complete these delightful pastries, a simple yet elegant vanilla glaze is drizzled over the top. This sweet finish not only enhances the overall flavor profile but also adds a touch of visual appeal, making your danishes look as good as they taste. The vanilla notes complement the fruit and cheese beautifully, tying all the elements together.
• Remarkably Easy to Make: Despite their gourmet appearance and taste, these blueberry danishes are surprisingly straightforward to prepare. Designed with convenience in mind, this recipe prioritizes ease by using readily available ingredients like frozen puff pastry. Even if you’re a beginner baker, you’ll find the step-by-step instructions simple to follow, yielding professional-looking and tasting results every time.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Blueberry Danishes

Crafting the perfect blueberry danish begins with selecting high-quality ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and some helpful tips for each component. A full list of precise measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

• Frozen Puff Pastry: This is your secret weapon for ease and flakiness. You can typically find it in the freezer aisle of any grocery store, usually sold in packs of two sheets. For this recipe, you’ll only need one sheet, so you can save the other for another batch or a different quick pastry creation. Ensure it’s thawed according to package directions before use, typically about 30-40 minutes at room temperature.
• Full-Fat Cream Cheese: For the richest, creamiest, and most flavorful filling, always opt for full-fat cream cheese. Low-fat varieties may result in a watery or less luxurious filling. Remember to pull it out of the refrigerator at least 2 hours before you plan to start baking, allowing it to soften to room temperature. This ensures a smooth, lump-free mixture when beaten with sugar and vanilla.
• Fresh or Frozen Blueberries: For the cooked preserves, both fresh and frozen blueberries work wonderfully. If using frozen, there’s no need to thaw them beforehand, but be aware they might take a few extra minutes to cook down. However, for the extra blueberries stirred into the preserves *after* cooking, and for garnish if desired, fresh berries are highly recommended. Their firm texture and vibrant pop of flavor are ideal for this finishing touch.
• Granulated White Sugar: Used in both the cream cheese filling and blueberry preserves, white granulated sugar provides the perfect level of sweetness, complementing the natural tartness of the blueberries and the tang of the cream cheese.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: A crucial flavor enhancer, pure vanilla extract adds warmth and depth to both the cream cheese filling and the vanilla glaze. Always choose pure extract over artificial for the best flavor.
• Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): Essential for the smooth, pourable vanilla glaze. Always sift your powdered sugar before mixing to prevent any lumps or grittiness, ensuring a silky-smooth finish on your danishes.
• Milk (or Heavy Cream): A small amount of milk is used to create the vanilla glaze. Any type of milk (dairy or non-dairy) will work. For an even richer glaze, you can substitute heavy cream, which will result in a slightly thicker and more luxurious consistency.
• Large Egg (for Egg Wash): An egg wash, made by whisking an egg with a touch of water, is brushed onto the pastry edges before baking. This simple step gives the danishes a beautiful golden-brown color and a lovely sheen, making them look professionally baked.

Equipment You’ll Need:

• Medium saucepan
• Mixing bowls (various sizes)
• Hand mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment
• Rolling pin
• Sharp knife or pizza cutter
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Pastry brush
• Measuring cups and spoons

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Blueberry Cream Cheese Danishes

Follow these detailed instructions to create your own batch of stunning and delicious blueberry cream cheese danishes. Remember to prepare the blueberry preserves first, as they need to cool completely before assembly.

Part 1: Crafting the Blueberry Preserves

1. Begin with the Berries: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of blueberries (fresh or frozen), 1/3 cup of white granulated sugar, and 1 tablespoon of water. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously as the berries begin to warm.
2. Cook and Thicken: Allow the mixture to simmer gently. The blueberries will start to burst and release their juices. Continue cooking for about 3-5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens into a jam-like consistency. It should coat the back of a spoon.
3. Cool and Combine: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully pour the cooked blueberry preserves into a separate heatproof bowl. Immediately stir in the remaining 1/2 cup of fresh blueberries. This adds a wonderful contrast in texture and fresh berry flavor. Allow the preserves to cool completely to room temperature before proceeding. For a faster cooling process, you can place the bowl in the freezer, stirring every 10 minutes until chilled.

Part 2: Preparing the Cream Cheese Filling and Pastry

4. Thaw the Puff Pastry: Take one sheet of frozen puff pastry out of the freezer and let it sit on your kitchen counter for approximately 30-40 minutes. It should be pliable but still cold.
5. Whip the Cream Cheese Filling: While the pastry thaws, prepare your cream cheese filling. In a medium mixing bowl, using either a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened full-fat cream cheese, 3 tablespoons of white granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract on high speed for about 2 minutes. Continue beating until the mixture is completely smooth, creamy, and free of lumps. Set this aside.
6. Roll and Cut the Pastry: Lightly flour a clean work surface. Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet and gently roll it out slightly with a rolling pin to a uniform thickness. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, carefully cut the pastry into 6 equal rectangles.
7. Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the 6 pastry rectangles evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
8. Create the Border: With your sharp knife, gently score an inner rectangle on each pastry, approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the edge. Be careful not to cut all the way through the pastry; you are only making an indent. This scored border will rise higher during baking, creating a natural pocket for your fillings.

Part 3: Assembling and Baking Your Danishes

9. Add the Fillings: Take a tablespoon and spread one scoop of the prepared cream cheese filling into the center of each pastry rectangle, ensuring it stays within the scored border. Next, spoon a generous tablespoon (or 1 to 1.5 tablespoons) of the cooled blueberry preserves directly on top of the cream cheese filling. Gently spread it out evenly over the cream cheese.







10. Chill and Egg Wash: Once assembled, place the baking sheet with the danishes into the freezer for 10 minutes. This quick chill helps the butter in the puff pastry firm up again, promoting maximum flakiness when baked. While chilling, prepare the egg wash: whisk one large egg with 2 teaspoons of water in a small bowl. After chilling, use a pastry brush to lightly coat the outer borders of each danish with the egg wash.
11. Bake to Golden Perfection: Transfer the baking sheet to your preheated oven. Bake for 14-17 minutes, or until the pastry edges are beautifully puffed and golden brown, and the filling is bubbly.
12. Cool Down: Once baked, carefully remove the danishes from the oven. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from becoming soggy and helps them maintain their crispness.

Part 4: The Vanilla Glaze Finish

13. Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of sifted powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of milk (or heavy cream for a richer glaze), and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Mix until the glaze is smooth and pourable, but not too thin. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more milk; if too thin, add a little more sifted powdered sugar.
14. Glaze and Serve: Once the danishes have completely cooled on the wire rack, generously drizzle the vanilla icing over each pastry. Allow the glaze to set slightly, then serve immediately and enjoy your homemade masterpiece!

Expert Baking Tips for Flawless Danishes

Achieving bakery-quality danishes at home is easier than you think, especially with a few insider tips:

• Accelerate Blueberry Cooling: If you’re in a hurry to cool your blueberry preserves, place the bowl in the freezer. Stir the mixture every 10 minutes to ensure even cooling and prevent it from freezing solid. This method significantly speeds up the process, allowing you to assemble your danishes sooner.
• The Importance of the Scored Border: When you score the inner rectangle on the puff pastry, you’re not just making a guideline. This indentation is crucial because, during baking, the unscored outer edges of the pastry will rise higher, creating a natural barrier that beautifully contains the cream cheese and blueberry fillings. This prevents the fillings from spilling out and ensures a neat, professional-looking danish.
• Keep Your Pastry Cold: Puff pastry relies on layers of butter to create its characteristic flakiness. If the butter melts before baking, the layers won’t separate properly, resulting in a less airy and crispy texture. That’s why chilling the danishes in the freezer for a few minutes just before baking, after all the fillings are added, is a vital step. It helps re-solidify the butter, ensuring maximum puff and flakiness in the oven. Work quickly when handling the pastry to keep it as cold as possible.
• Don’t Overfill: While tempting to load up on the delicious fillings, overfilling your danishes can lead to spillage during baking and a soggy pastry. Stick to the recommended amounts to ensure a balanced flavor and proper structural integrity.
• Even Baking is Key: Ensure your oven is fully preheated to the correct temperature. Placing the baking sheet in the middle rack typically ensures even heat distribution, leading to uniformly golden and crispy danishes. If your oven has hot spots, you might rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some common questions about making these delectable blueberry danishes:

Can I make these danishes smaller?

Absolutely! If you prefer smaller portions or a larger batch, you can easily cut your puff pastry sheet into 8 rectangles instead of 6. This will result in more mini-danishes with slightly reduced baking time.

Is it possible to double the recipe?

Yes, you can certainly double the recipe! Simply use both sheets of frozen puff pastry that typically come in a standard pack, and double all other ingredient quantities accordingly. You might need to bake in batches if your oven cannot accommodate two large baking sheets simultaneously.

Can I freeze these danishes for later?

Unfortunately, these blueberry danishes do not freeze well after they’ve been baked and glazed. The pastry can lose its flaky texture and become soggy once thawed. It’s best to enjoy them fresh for the optimal experience.

Can I prepare the components ahead of time?

Yes, you can! The blueberry preserves can be made up to 2-3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cream cheese filling can also be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated. This makes the assembly process much quicker on baking day.

What other fruit fillings can I use?

While blueberry is fantastic, you can certainly experiment with other fruit preserves! Strawberry, cherry, raspberry, or even mixed berry preserves would be delicious. Just ensure the preserves are thick enough to hold their shape within the pastry.

Storage Recommendations

These blueberry danishes are truly at their peak when served fresh from the oven, offering the best texture and flavor. The pastry is wonderfully crispy and flaky. If you happen to have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be aware that the pastry will soften slightly over time when stored. For best results, allow them to come to room temperature before enjoying, or gently warm them in a toaster oven for a few minutes to regain some crispness.

Other Breakfast Recipes To Try

If you loved these blueberry danishes, be sure to explore our other fantastic breakfast and pastry recipes. There’s always something new and delicious to discover!

Make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW if you loved this recipe! We appreciate your feedback. To get more delicious ideas and inspiration, you can follow me on Instagram and Pinterest.

Blueberry Danish

By Stephanie Rutherford

This blueberry danish is super easy to make. It uses frozen puff pastry, has a cream cheese filling, and topped with a homemade blueberry preserves. It is topped with a vanilla glaze for extra sweetness.

Print Recipe | Pin Recipe

Prep Time: 45 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Chilling Time: 2 hrs

Total Time: 3 hrs 5 mins

Servings: 6 danishes

Ingredients

Blueberry Preserves

• 1 cup Blueberries, fresh or frozen
• 1/3 cup White granulated sugar
• 1 TBSP Water
• 1/2 cup Blueberries (fresh, for stirring in later)

Danish Pastry

• 1 sheet Frozen puff pastry
• 4 oz Cream cheese, room temperature
• 3 TBSP White granulated sugar
• 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
• 1 Large egg, for egg wash
• 2 tsp Water, for egg wash

Vanilla Icing

• 1/2 cup Powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 TBSP Milk
• 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Blueberry Preserves

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix 1 cup of blueberries, 1/3 cup white granulated sugar, and 1 TBSP water. Heat until the blueberries start to release their juice, then continue to cook until it thickens (3-5 minutes).
2. Take off the heat and pour into a glass container. Mix in the 1/2 cup of fresh blueberries. Cool completely before using (can speed up in the fridge/freezer).

Blueberry Danish Assembly & Baking

1. Pull the frozen puff pastry out of the freezer and let it sit on the counter for 30 minutes to thaw.
2. While waiting, prepare the cream cheese filling. Using a mixer, beat 4 oz cream cheese, 3 TBSP white granulated sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla on high speed for 2 minutes until creamy. Set aside.
3. Roll the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface using a rolling pin. Use a sharp knife to cut into 6 even rectangles.
4. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place the 6 pastry rectangles evenly on the cookie sheet.
5. Use a sharp knife to make an indent of a rectangle along the edge of each pastry (do not cut all the way through), leaving a 1/4 to 1/2 inch border.
6. Spread 1 tablespoon of cream cheese filling inside the smaller rectangle of each pastry. Then, scoop 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of the cooled blueberry preserve on top of the cream cheese, spreading evenly.
7. Place the danishes in the freezer for 10 minutes. In a small bowl, mix 1 large egg and 2 tsp water for an egg wash. Use a pastry brush to brush the egg wash along the edges of the pastry.
8. Bake for 14-17 minutes, or until the edges of the pastry are golden and puffed.
9. Cool on a wire rack completely before glazing.

Vanilla Icing

1. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1 TBSP milk, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
2. Pour or drizzle the glaze on top of the cooled danishes. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Information (per serving):

• Calories: 158 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 19mg
• Sodium: 61mg
• Potassium: 60mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 22g
• Vitamin A: 278 IU
• Vitamin C: 4mg
• Calcium: 24mg
• Iron: 1mg