Puff Pastry with Cream Cheese Filling

An easy recipe for a cream cheese-filled puff pastry dessert. This sweet treat will amaze you with its crispy but fluffy texture!

➜ About this puff pastry recipe

We Czechs love home baking. However, not everyone has time to stand in the kitchen for long hours, so we like to use store-bought puff pastry to prepare various baked sweets.

And the Czech name for this recipe? Probably the closest option is “tvarohovy strudl z listoveho testa,” which means puff pastry strudel filled with cream cheese!

Try this easy puff pastry apple strudel too (it tastes so good!)

➜ Ingredients

To make homemade puff pastry filled with sweet cream cheese, you will need:

Cream cheese; at room temperature. Czechs often prepare sweet fillings from fresh cheese called tvaroh (see how to make homemade tvaroh). A suitable alternative in the US is farmer’s cheese. If the cheese is too dry and contains chunks of curds, add a couple of tablespoons of milk or heavy cream. Use full-fat cream cheese if possible. The lighter the version of cheese, the less firm and less tasty the baked filling will be.
Egg yolk; to firm up the cheese filling. Reserve the egg white as an egg wash for brushing the dough later.
Cornstarch; a very helpful ingredient that improves the texture of the cream filling!
Powdered sugar; to sweeten the filling, plus more for dusting the baked treat
Dried cranberries; or raisins. Dried berries add a juicy note to the creamy filling. For even more flavor, the Czechs soak the dried fruit in alcohol, usually spiced rum (tuzemak), the day before.

✅ You’ll find the exact amount of ingredients below in the recipe card, which you can also print out.

➜ Instructions with photos

STEP 1: Make sweet cream cheese mixture: Place the cheese, icing sugar, egg yolk, cornstarch, and dried cranberries in a medium bowl. Stir well to combine.

TIP: To make the cream filling taste better, grate some fresh lemon zest and add a teaspoon of vanilla extract.

STEP 2: Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured work surface into a rectangle about 10×16 inches (25x40cm). Transfer the sheet of dough to lightly floured baking paper.

From top to bottom, lightly mark half of the rolled-out sheet. I used a skewer stamped on the dough sheet as a center dividing line.

Using a sharp knife, carefully make a few diagonal slashes in the left half of the dough.

Spread the sweetened cream cheese mixture in the middle of the right half, but leave at least 1 inch (3 cm) of empty space on the sides.

Brush all sides with the egg white left over from making the cream filling. A proper pastry brush will make your job easier.

STEP 3: With the help of baking paper, fold the left side of the dough over the right half with the cream filling.

With a fork, press the edges where the folded dough ends meet.

STEP 4: Carefully transfer the finished shape with the parchment paper to the baking sheet. Fold down the edges, previously pressed with a fork. Brush egg white on the pastry surface.

STEP 5: Preheat oven to 356°F (180°C) and bake puff pastry with cream filling for 40 minutes until it turns golden brown.

➜ Serving

Let the baked puff pastry cool for a while, then dust it with powdered sugar and cut it into slanting slices about 2 inches (5 cm) thick.

Serve on a dessert plate with a cup of coffee or tea for an afternoon snack or tasty breakfast.

➜ Useful tips

This type of pastry is sometimes called “cream cheese danish” in the USA.
As the name suggests, the dough puffs up when baked, resulting in a beautiful buttery pastry that is both soft and crisp. Cut the top of the raw dough, as the recipe says so that air can escape while it’s baking.

More sweet recipes

Leave a review down in the comments! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

puff pastry sheet thawed (10×16 inches/25×40 cm)
(340 g) full-fat, at room temperature
for egg wash

Make sweet cream cheese mixture: Place the cheese, icing sugar, egg yolk, cornstarch, and dried cranberries in a medium bowl. Stir well to combine.
From top to bottom, lightly mark half of the rolled-out sheet. I used a skewer stamped on the dough sheet as a center dividing line.
Using a sharp knife, carefully make a few diagonal slashes in the left half of the dough.
Spread the sweetened cream cheese mixture in the middle of the right half, but leave at least 1 inch (3 cm) of empty space on the sides.
Brush all sides with the egg white left over from making the cream filling.
With the help of baking paper, fold the left side of the dough over the right half with the cream filling.
With a fork, press the edges where the folded dough ends meet.
Carefully transfer the finished shape with the parchment paper to the baking sheet. Fold down the edges, previously pressed with a fork. Brush egg white on the pastry surface.
Preheat oven to 356°F (180°C) and bake puff pastry with cream filling for 40 minutes until it turns golden brown.

DISCLAIMER: Because I come from Central Europe, my recipes are based on metric units such as grams or milliliters. Check out how I convert metric units to the U.S. system:

A simple but oh so good puff pastry dessert “danish” with a jam and cream cheese filling. Great as a little reward at work or during school break.

Jump to Recipe

A flaky jam cream cheese puff pastry dessert, golden baked to perfection.

Sweet temptations made in a jiffy, and it can be transported to work or school.

📕 What is this?

Puff pastries with a jam and cream cheese filling are inspired by filled cream cheese danish pastries.

Danish are not the same as puff pastry because danish pastry includes yeast. Layered puff pastry, on the other hand, is made without yeast.

Technically, and as a reference, french croissants are danish because the buttery flaky pastry includes yeast.

Yet, you are free to use danish pastry to make these little pocket/triangle/turn-overs, instead of puff pastry.

I used puff pastry dough because it’s much more common in stores and the idea of this recipe is to reduce time spent in the kitchen by using store-bought pastry sheets.

As a little backstory: Danish were popularized in Copenhagen Denmark, and they come in all shapes. They originally, together with other Viennese treats, came from Vienna in Austria and in the Scandinavian countries they are still known as Wienerbrød.

These can be enjoyed as a dessert but also as a breakfast or brunch pastry.

🥐 Ingredients

I developed this recipe with ease of use and simplicity in mind.

Here is what you need to get to make it. Detailed measurements can be found in the recipe card further below.

Puff pastry sheet – store bought or homemade puff pastry. I prefer to use refrigerated puff pastry sheets to frozen ones because those have to be thawed. If you can only get frozen sheets, you will have to thaw them first.
Jam – I used homemade apricot jam because that’s what I had on hand. These pockets also turn out great with sweet or sour cherry jam, chunky or smooth strawberry jam or homemade red currant jelly.
Cream Cheese – plain unflavored.
Egg – for the egg wash. Optional but makes it look better. You can use just the egg yolk too. The whole egg as egg wash option is for lazy people like me.

🔪 How to make it?

Here is a quick overview on how to make these babies within minutes.

The full recipe with detailed instructions and how to video can be found further below in the recipe card.

Step 1

Spread your puff pastry sheet over your parchment baking sheets.

Divide into 6 rectangles.

Step 2

Spread cream cheese and jam over each rectangle

Step 3

Fold over and seal the sides with a fork.

Step 4

Make some cuts at the top (helps release steam).

Scramble an egg in a small bowl and brush egg wash over pastries. That will create the shine.

Bake pastries golden brown.

💡 Tips

Use a cooled pastry sheet because the longer it sits out at room temperature, the less it will puff later in the oven.
Spread the cream cheese and jam into the center of each rectangular. Keep a distance from the border to avoid cream cheese or jam on the part where you need to close and seal them. The pastry parts need to stick together and that works only without the jam or cream cheese. Pastry to pastry sticks and seals the best!
Place filled pastries only into preheated oven.

🍱 Storing

Keep your freshly baked pastries in airtight containers or in boxes at room temperature.

But make sure they have cooled completely to avoid condensation in the box. That would make them soggy otherwise.

The cream cheese puff pastry pockets can be wrapped into parchment paper to take to work or school.

If stored in a humid-free cool environment, they stay good for 2 days at least. Don’t consume if older than two days because of mold danger, and besides the pastry becomes hard too.

They are best enjoyed freshly baked or a few hours later.

Typically, you can prepare your puff pastry danish at night, and in the morning you can take them to work or to school.

💭 FAQs

Do I have to roll out store bought puff pastry?

No, you don’t have to roll out your puff pastry sheet. In stores, you can get refrigerated or frozen puff pastry sheets. You can also get one large roll or smaller rectangular. If you use smaller rectangular sheets, you won’t need to cut them, and you can skip step 1 in the main instructions.

Can I use something else instead of egg for the pastry wash to make the pastries shiny?

An egg wash is definitely the best option to make your pastries shiny at the top. You can also substitute the egg and use milk for a pastry wash. Just brush milk over your pastry, the same way you would brush a scrambled raw egg over your pastry.

Can I pour a sugar glaze over the pastries?

Yes, you can choose to pour a sugar glaze over your pastries. In that case, you can eve skip the egg wash. The sugar glaze is poured over the pastries after they have baked and cooled. Mix powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice. A few drops of lemon juice are more than enough. You can also substitute the lemon juice with rose water or orange blossom water. Note that sugar glaze can crumble off easily, so I try not to add a glaze when I will be transporting the pastries.

Why is my puff pastry not crispy?

If your puff pastry is soggy or not crispy, it’s an indication that it needs more baking time at a constant heat level. Bake at a steady heat of 350 Fahrenheit (ca. 180 °C) for 15–18 minutes. The time may vary from oven to oven and also the pastry brand can make a difference. Furthermore, make sure to only place your filled puff pastries into the oven if the oven was adequately preheated. Keep in mind, that these are “pockets” and that steam will get trapped on the inside, which will result in a soft bottom side.

👁️ More simple puff pastry recipes

Puff pastry pockets filled with ham and cheese
Bacon and cream cheese topped puff pastry appetizer
Pigs in a Blanket with puff pastry
Mini Wellington with Beef or individual Wellington with Salmon

Puff Pastry Sheet
*see Post Ingredients info for flavor Ideas

Preheat your oven to 350 Fahrenheit (180 degree Celsius).
Place your rolled out puff pastry sheet over a parchment paper and baking pan.1 piece Puff Pastry Sheet
Divide the pastry into six rectangles. It’s ok if they are only approximately the same size.
Fold over each pastry to create a closed triangle shape. You can press the borders a bit together.
With a fork, press into the pastry along the border, so to seal the “pockets”.
Make a few cuts with a knife into the top of your sealed pastries. This will help the steam to release, and it reduces the chance of your pastry getting soggy during the baking process.
Break an egg into a bowl and scramble the raw egg.1 piece Egg
Brush the egg over your pastries. This will add a glossy shine to your cream cheese pastries.
Take out from the oven and leave to cool for 5 minutes. Enjoy your pastries warm or at room temperature.

1 baking pan with parchment paper
1 Butter Knife
1 Pastry Brush for the egg wash

Jam Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Dessert Recipe

Amount Per Serving

% Daily Value*

Saturated Fat 6g

Trans Fat 0.003g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 10g

Vitamin A 170IU

Vitamin C 2mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Little squares of puff pastry filled with a sweetened cream cheese and a powdered sugar glaze topping make these Puff Pastry Cream Cheese danish delicious!

These are another puff pastry recipe that’s perfect for brunch or even a light dessert. You might even enjoy them for a coffee break during a busy day. Let me show you how easy working with frozen puff pastry is!

I love using frozen puff pastry for recipes; especially easy dessert recipes.

The cream cheese filling in this recipe tastes like cheesecake. You’ll need to let the danish cool and set before adding the glaze and enjoying a first bite.

Don’t skip brushing the puff pastry with the egg wash or even the little sprinkle of sugar. Both will only help enhance the flavor tremendously!

If you love danish recipes as much as I do, make sure you try my Puff Pastry Apple Tart or my Puff Pastry Hearts are filled with chocolate mousse.

Table of Contents

Main Ingredients Needed

This is an overview of the ingredients and instructions. Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact quantities, detailed instructions and special notes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
Add the vanilla extract.
Finallly add the milk and mix until smooth. Set aside while you prepare the puff pastry.

Step 2 | Prepare the Puff Pastry

Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface.
Cut the pastry sheet into four equal parts. Then cut the four parts into four more parts so you have 16 pieces.
With a sharp knife, score an inner rectangle on top of each square. You don’t want to cut all the way through, just enough to help the puff pastry rise around the filling and create a little wall or edge so the filling doesn’t escape while baking.

Quick Tip: Brushing puff pastry with an egg wash will give it a golden sheen while baking. The sugar caramelizes while the pastry bakes and makes it golden and beautiful.

Step 3 | Add the Cream Cheese Filling

Brush the edges with the egg wash.
Place the tray in the refrigerator to chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.

Quick Tip: Placing the baking tray in the refrigerator or even freezer to chill the puff pastry one more time before placing it in the hot oven will help chill the butter in the layers and give the recipe a better “puff” as it bakes.

Step 4 | Baking Instructions

Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 12 to 14 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown.
Allow the pastries to cool completely before adding the glaze. If you add it too soon, it will melt because of the heat of the pastries.

Step 5 | Add the Glaze

Combine the ingredients for the glaze together in a small bowl.
Drizzle on top of the cooled pastries.

⭐Before You Begin! If you make this recipe, please leave a review and star rating. This helps my business thrive and continue providing FREE recipes.

Recipe Variations

You can easily cjamge this recipe by replacing vanilla extract with lemon extract.
After you add the cream cheese filling, you could add a spoon of raspberry jam on top for a raspberry cream cheese flavor. Or try lemon curd!
Decorate the top of the danish with fresh fruit like I did with my Puff Pastry with Cream Cheese and Fruit Recipe.

Storage Tips

This cream cheese danish should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
However, as with most puff pastry recipes, they are best eaten fresh.

Top Recipe Tip

Make sure the cream cheese is softened so it’s easy to blend with the sugar.
This will also help when you spread the sweetened cream cheese mixture on top of the puff pastry before baking.

4 ounces cream cheese; softened
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon heavy cream.

For the Puff Pastry

1 sheet of puff pastry; thawed
1 egg mixed with 1 tablespoon water

For the Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
1 – 2 tablespoons milk
¼ teaspoon pure almond extract

Preheat oven to 400°F.
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
Aedd the heavy cream and vanilla extract until smooth. Set aside.
Line a baking sheet pan with parchment paper.
Unfold the puff pastry sheet on a light floured surface.
Cut the puff pastry sheet into four equal parts. Then cut the four parts into four more parts so you have a total of 16 squares.
With a sharp knife, score an inner rectangle on top of each puff pastry piece. You don’t want to cut all the way through, just enough to help the puff pastry rise around the filling and create a little wall or edge so the filling doesn’t escape while baking.
Brush the edges of the pujff pastry with the egg mixed with water.
Sprinkle each square with a little extra granulated sugar.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow the danish to cool for a minute before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Combine the ingredients for the glaze and drizzle on top before serving.

Notes

Do not skip the egg wash or sprinkling the danish with extra sugar. Both will give a nice finish to the danish.

Yield

1Amount Per Serving: 4g 2g 0g 2g

The nutrition information is calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you, please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator.

Reader Interactions

This blackberry cream cheese puff pastry recipe is filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture, fresh blackberry filling, baked to golden flaky perfection, and drizzled with glaze. A favorite blackberry pastry recipe the whole family will enjoy.

I love pastries. When I’m rushed and need to bring something to a party, I’ll stop by the bakery and grab an order of something fruity and filled with cream cheese for everyone to enjoy. When I’m not rushed, I love to make my own pastries. Even though I’m not pressed for time, I still want something that’s easy as well as delicious. That’s why I love these blackberry pastries. They’re easy to make and they’re so sweet and delicious. They’re the perfect treat for any occasion from weeknight desserts to sweet breakfasts, afternoon snacks, or an addition to any potluck.

This delicious dessert starts with ready-made puff pastry sheets to keep things simple. Then, it’s topped with a homemade cream cheese mixture and then a homemade blackberry filling. It’s rich, sweet, and delicious, and the smooth, sweet filling pairs perfectly with the light, flaky, golden brown puff pastry. It’s also super easy to make, which is a huge bonus. Although both fillings are made from scratch, they take very little effort or know-how. It’s a perfect recipe for both seasoned and beginning cooks, and it’s always a huge hit with everyone.

Why You’ll Love This Blackberry Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Recipe

It uses simple ingredients that are easily found at your local grocery store.
It’s filled with sweet cream cheese and blackberry fillings.
It’s a favorite pastry recipe that’s easy to make and everyone loves.

Blackberry Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Tips and Variations

This is an extremely easy recipe to make, even though it looks a bit fancy. However, even easy recipes have their little secrets, and I’m sharing those. I also have some great variations that I think you’re going to love.

Be sure your cream cheese is fully softened so it blends perfectly. Otherwise, you can end up with chunks of cream cheese in your mixture.
Understand that golden brown is more gold than brown. So many people overcook their food because they think golden brown is darker than it really is.
Always let your pastries cool before adding the glaze. Otherwise, it will just slide right off of them.

Use your favorite pie filling to change the flavor of these pastries.
Omit the lemon juice from the glaze to make a simple vanilla glaze when you use various pie fillings.
Make any of your favorite fruit competes to add to this pastry. Other berries, apples, pineapple, and more all work well.

Blackberry Cream Cheese Puff Pastry FAQ

You can make all kinds of delicious recipes, sweet or savory, with puff pastry sheets.

Tarts
Beef wellington
Baked brie in puff pastry
Ham and cheese pinwheels
Pigs in a blanket
Mini pies

Can you use old puff pastry?

You can. Your frozen puff pastry will have a “best by” date, but this date is for peak quality, not safety. You can use puff pastry that is outdated by as much as six months. The quality won’t be as good, but it can be done. I don’t recommend it, however.

What goes well with blackberry pastries?

Serve your blackberry pastries with a dessert wine if you’re feeling fancy. If you’re serving a crowd, pair them with other pastries to make a lovely pastry table with tons of variety. They also make great desserts after almost any meal. Finally, have a sweet breakfast with some coffee in the morning.

Do you warm up Danishes?

You don’t have to. They’re delicious both at room temperature or heated up. If you prefer your Danish warm, simply wrap it in aluminum foil and bake it for 3 to 4 minutes at 350 degrees.

How to Store Blackberry Cream Cheese Puff Pastry

You can store these in the refrigerator for up to 7 days in an airtight container.

Blackberry Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Ingredients

While this recipe does have a few ingredients, they’re all very simple. You’ll find them all easily at your local grocery store.

Puff pastry sheets
Fresh blackberries
Sugar
Lemon juice
Water
Cornstarch
Cream cheese
Egg yolk
Vanilla extract
Large egg
Powdered sugar

How to Make Blackberry Cream Cheese Puff Pastries

Making this recipe might appear daunting at first, but when you break it all down, it’s incredibly simple. Each of the fillings is very easy to make, and so is the glaze.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set it aside. Then, cut each pastry sheet into 8 strips.

Make the Blackberry Filling

Add the blackberries, lemon juice, and sugar to a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until the mixture begins to form a sauce. Then, mix cornstarch and cold water together in a small bowl and add it to the blackberry mixture. Continue cooking and stirring until thickened. Then remove it from the heat and let it cool.

Make the Cream Cheese Filling

Beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy in a medium bowl. Then, add the egg yolk, sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice and beat for 2 more minutes.

Make the Puff Pastry Base

Take two strips of puff pastry and pinch the ends together to create one long strip. Twist the strip until it forms a sort of braided piece. Place one end of the long, twisted strip down onto the parchment paper and wrap the dough around it, starting in the center and creating a pinwheel base. Poke the center 4 to 5 times with a fork.

Add the Filling

Whisk the egg and water together in a small bowl. Then, brush each pastry with the egg wash and bake for 23 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove the pastries and let them cool.

Step 7

While the pastries cool, mix the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla together. Then drizzle each of the cooled pastries with the glaze and enjoy!

Try This Delicious Blackberry Cream Cheese Pastries Today

This blackberry cream cheese puff pastry is absolutely delicious and incredibly easy to make. Using packaged puff pastry ensures a fluffy, flaky, golden brown base every time, and the homemade fillings are rich, sweet, and so simple. These look like they took hours, but you’ll actually be in and out of the kitchen in no time. Give them a try, and I know you’ll find yourself making these all the time for desserts and breakfasts the next morning!

More Delicious Desserts You’ll Enjoy

Lemon Pretzel Dessert – Here is a sweet & salty, delicious, lemon dessert that has a pretzel crust, a sweet cream cheese filling and topped with lemon pie filling. So good and refreshing.

Cherry Cream Cheese Danish – A delicious summer dessert that is filled with a cream cheese mixture, cherry filling, all baked in a flaky crust, and topped with a sweet glaze.

Peach Pretzel Dessert – This is a sweet and salty dessert recipe made with peach jello, a creamy cheese layer, and a crushed pretzel crust. It’s an easy no-bake dessert that is perfect for summertime.

Also, try this Blueberry Pastry from Great Grub, Delicious Treats. It’s a super easy dessert recipe that is made with only three simple ingredients and makes the best afternoon snack or dessert.

For the Blackberry Filling

In a small saucepan, add blackberries, lemon juice, and sugar.
Heat over medium heat until sauce begins to form, stirring frequently.
In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water together, then add to blackberries. Stir until thickened then remove for heat and let cool.

Cut each pastry sheet into 8 strips.
Take two strips of puff pastry and pinch the ends together to create one long strip. Twist the strip until it forms a sort of braided piece.
Place one end of the long, twisted strip down onto the parchment paper and wrap the dough around it, starting in the center and creating a pinwheel base. Poke the center 4 to 5 time with a fork.

For the Cream Cheese Mixture

In a small bowl, whisk egg and water together until combined.
Brush each pastry with egg wash.
Bake for 23-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let cool

For the Glaze Drizzle

Once the pastries have cooled, mix powdered sugar, lemon juice and vanilla together.
Drizzle each pastry with lemon glaze and enjoy.

This easy-to-make, flaky, apple cream cheese puff pastry recipe is filled with sweet cream cheese and apple filling. It is a delicious puff pastry recipe that is great for breakfast, brunch, a midday snack, or a light dessert, especially when served warm.

I’m a big fan of pastries. I buy them almost every time I go shopping at our local grocery store. We have an amazing bakery section, and the pastries I get there are just as good as anything you’ll find at a bakery. As much as I love the pastries at my store, sometimes it can be hard to find them at their freshest. We all know how stores work. Pastries are made one day and then sold for the next three days. No matter how good a pastry is, by the time you get into the third day, it’s not going to be super fresh. It might even be a little stale. That’s why I love making my own pastries. I’ve been doing it for years, and one of my favorite variations are these little squares that I make with puff pastry, apple filling, and cream cheese filling.

These delicious pastries start with refrigerated puff pastry to keep things easy. Then, I make a simple apple pie filling and a sweet cream cheese filling. I added them both and bake my pastries up to golden, delicious perfection. What I end up with is a flaky, tender, golden brown puff pastry with a sweet and tangy filling that explodes with classic pastry flavor in every bite.

Why You’ll Love These Apple Puff Pastries

They’re delicious, flaky, and filled with sweet cream cheese and apple filling, then baked to golden perfection.
They’re a perfect fall dessert recipe using simple ingredients.
They are also great for making year-round.
And, they’re a family favorite apple pastry recipe.

Apple Puff Pastry Tips and Variations

This recipe is incredibly easy, but I do have some tips to help you make them the best that they can possibly be. I also have some wonderful variations that I think you’re going to love.

Always cook your apple filling over low heat. You want it to come to temperature slowly so everything gets nice and tender.
Be sure your cream cheese is fully softened to achieve that perfect, fluffy texture.
Remember, golden brown should be more golden than brown. If your pastries are brown, they’re overdone.

Make any fruity filling you like. Any berries, pineapple, peaches, plums, and the like all work well.
Serve these pastries with a small bowl of glaze on the side for dipping!

Frequently Asked Questions

There are several apples that work very well for baking.

Granny Smith
Jonagold
Honeycrisp
Braeburn
Mustus
Pink Lady
Cortland
Jonathan
Northern Spy

What makes a pastry a Danish?

While pastry and Danish tend to be used interchangeably, they’re different. A Danish rises due to yeast, while a pastry is made with puff pastry which rises due to the steam released from the layers of dough.

Do cream cheese Danishes need to be refrigerated?

Even though the cream cheese is baked, pastries and Danishes made with cream cheese still need to be refrigerated.

Can you freeze apple and cream cheese Danishes?

Absolutely. They’ll last for about two weeks in the freezer.

How to Store Cream Cheese Apple Pastries

Store them in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to a week.

Apple Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Ingredients

It only takes a few simple ingredients to make these easy apple pastries. You’ll find everything you need easily at your local grocery store.

Granny smith apples
Water
Sugar
Cornstarch
Cinnamon
Lemon juice
Cream cheese
Egg yolk
Vanilla extract
Large egg
Powdered sugar
Puff Pastry

How to Make Apple Cream Cheese Puff Pastry

You’ll only need a few minutes and a few steps to make this recipe.

Make the Apple Filling

Bring water, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice to a boil over low heat in a medium saucepan, stirring constantly. Continue to boil for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce thickens. Then, add the apples, stir, and let them simmer for 8 to 10 minutes.

Make the Cream Cheese Mixture

Beat the cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl for 2 to 3 minutes until fluffy. Then, add the sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, and lemon juice and beat for another 2 minutes.

Make the Egg Wash

Whisk the egg and water together in a small bowl and set aside.

Make the Squares

Roll out the seams of the puff pastry dough on a lightly floured surface and cut in half lengthwise. Using a knife, cut each strip into 3 equal pieces for a total of 6 pastries per sheet. Then, fold each of the 12 sheets into a triangle and make a cut about ½ inch from the two sides, making sure not to cut all the way to the tip of the triangle. Finally, unfold the triangles and fold one side over the other and the other side back over to the opposite side.

Add a spoonful of cream cheese mixture and a spoonful of apple filling to the center of each pastry.

Step 6

Place the pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then brush the edges with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar if desired. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown. Once pastries are cool, drizzle with glaze. Enjoy!

Try These Apple Cream Cheese Puff Pastries Today

These delicious apple puff pastries are easier to make than you’d think and so delicious. They’re the perfect sweet breakfast, snack, or addition to any potluck. Give them a try, and I know you’ll find yourself making them again and again. It doesn’t get much better than this combo of sweet flavors, ease, and simplicity.

More Delicious Pastry Recipes You’ll Enjoy

Peach Cream Cheese Danish – Fresh peaches and a sweet cream cheese mixture, wrapped up in a flaky pastry crust. A delicious sweet treat for breakfast.

Apple Cinnamon Hand Pies – A simple and easy way to make individual serving desserts. This flaky pie crust is filled with homemade apple pie filling. They’re sooo delicious!

Cherry Cream Cheese Danish – Another rendition of fruit filled Danish, but these are made with tart cherries and a sweet cream cheese mixture.

And, try this Blueberry Pastry from Great Grub, Delicious Treats. This recipe is so simple, it takes on three ingredients and tastes like it came straight out of a bakery.

For the Apple Filling

In a medium saucepan over low heat, bring water, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice to a boil, stirring constantly.
Continue stirring for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens up.
Once the sauce has thickened, add apples, stir and let simmer for 8-10 minutes.

Making the Pastries

On a lightly floured surface, roll out seams of pastry dough and cut dough in half lengthwise. Then cut each strip into three equal pieces (for a total of 6 pastries per sheet.
Unfold each triangle and fold one side over to the other side and the other side back over to the opposite side.
Add a spoonful of cream cheese mixture and a spoonful of apple filling into the center of each pastry.
Place on the prepared baking sheet. Brush edges of pastry with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, if desired, and bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden.

In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar, milk and vanilla together until combined.
Drizzle over pastries once cool.

This delicious cream cheese puff pastry with apples is a delicious pastry recipe made with a sweet cream cheese mixture, homemade apple filling, and baked until the puff pastry dough is golden and flaky. A delicious fall recipe that you are sure to enjoy.

If you love pastries as much as I do, then I have a real winner for you. I’ve had a love affair with pastries for as long as I can remember. I love that flaky dough, the fruity, cheesy filling, and of course, that sweet drizzle over the top of it all. I used to routinely buy pastries for my grocery store’s baked goods section. The thing was that even though they had the flavor I loved, they were almost always not as fresh as they could be. I could never seem to time it just right to get them on the day that they were made. That’s when I decided to simply start making my own pastries at home.

Between me, my kids, and their friends, it became apparent that I’d be making them forever after I first gave them a shot. We’d eat them for breakfast. My kids would have them with their friends as an afterschool snack. Sometimes, we’d simply grab them in the middle of the day for snacking if there happened to be any left on the weekend. Now that my kids are off on their own, I still make these pastries to have on hand. I’m happy to say that my daughter has taken up the mantle as a pastry provider, as well. Her family loves them as much as she did growing up.

This delicious, flaky puff pastry recipe has everything we love about traditional pastries but without nearly the amount of work. They do take a few ingredients and a little prep, but the results are so worth it. And using store bought puff pastry dough takes away a ton of the work. These are the perfect dessert or snack to make on the weekend. If you want to make a double batch, you can even make them on a Sunday and still have enough for a quick breakfast come Monday!

Flaky, golden brown puff pastry is loaded with sweet apple filling, tangy cream cheese filling, and an easy glaze that brings the entire thing together. It’s absolutely everything we love about pastries!

Why You’ll Love This Apple Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Recipe

It’s easy to make and only uses a few simple ingredients.
It’s filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture and homemade apple pie filling.
It is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or snacking!

I have a few tips here to help ensure that you make these as delicious as they can possibly be. I also have some variations that I think you’ll love.

Be sure your cream cheese is fully softened to achieve that smooth, creamy texture.
Don’t try to rush the filling by using higher heat. The key is to bring it to a boil using low heat.
Always line your baking sheet for easy cleanup.

You can make any of your favorite fruity pie fillings for this recipe. Berries, pineapple, peaches, and the like are all delicious with this recipe.
I prefer the tartness of Granny Smith apples with this recipe, but you can use any apple variety you like.
For a richer glaze, use cream in place of milk.

What to Serve with Cream Cheese Puff Pastry

Pastries like this are best served with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk. You can also make a breakfast out of them by pairing them with something like sausage or bacon.

Read on to learn the answer to the most commonly asked questions about this recipe.

What are cream cheese puff pastries?

They’re any pastry made with a base of puff pastry dough and topped with a sweet cream cheese mixture.

How do I make puff pastry crispy?

The key to crispy puff pastry is cooking it at a high temperature. It doesn’t take long for the pastry to cook, and the high temperature will crisp it as it bakes to golden brown.

What’s the difference between pastry and Danish?

Danish is leavened with yeast, while puff pastry rises due to the steam its layers produce as it heats up.

Cream Cheese Puff Pastry with Apples Ingredients

The recipe uses simple ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store.

Puff pastry dough
Optional: caramel bits

For the Apple Filling

Granny smith apples
Water
Sugar
Cornstarch
Cinnamon
Lemon juice

For the Cream Cheese Mixture

Cream cheese
Sugar
Egg yolk
Lemon juice
Vanilla

For the Glaze Drizzle

Powdered sugar
Vanilla
Milk

This recipe might seem complicated, but it’s actually very easy. The apple filling, cream cheese mixture, and glaze are all basic recipes that even beginners can do.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Set out the cream cheese to soften and peel, core, and chop the apples.

Bring water, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice to a boil in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Continue to boil for 3 to 4 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Then, add the apples, stir, and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes or until the apples are tender.

Beat cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl for about 2 minutes or until fluffy. Then, add the sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, and lemon juice and beat for an additional 2 minutes.

Prep the Puff Pastry

Roll out the seams of the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Then, cut each dough in half and then cut those halves into 3 pieces. You’ll end up with 12 pieces.

Place each pastry piece onto the prepared baking sheet. Then, add a tablespoon of cream cheese mixture and a tablespoon of apple filling to the center of each pastry. Place caramel bits if desired. Be aware that they won’t melt, but they’re so good. Finally, score the edges about 1/2-inch from the edge, making a square but not going all the way through.

Brush the edges of the pastries with egg wash, then bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until golden. Let the pastries cool and then drizzle with the glaze.

Try This Delicious Apple Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Today

This apple cream cheese puff pastry recipe is easy to make, but it tastes like it takes a ton of work. Puff pastry is topped with homemade apple and cream cheese fillings and then baked to golden perfection. It sounds involved, but it really only takes about 30 to 45 minutes from start to finish – including the baking time! A recipe this easy and delicious absolutely needs to be tried, and if you do, I know you’ll find yourself making it again and again.

More Puff Pastry Desserts You’ll Enjoy

Lemon Cream Cheese Pastry Ring – A zesty, lemon curd pastry made with cream cheese mixture, a flaky pastry crust, and a sweet drizzled.

Blueberry Cream Cheese Puff Pastries – A bite-sized pastry made with fresh blueberries, cream cheese, and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish – The perfect pastry to make for brunch or dessert. It’s made with fresh strawberries, a cream cheese mixture, and a homemade icing.

And, try this Blackberry Cream Cheese Puff Pastry from Deliciously Seasoned. A perfect pastry for breakfast, brunch, or dessert that is made with a sweet cream cheese mixture, fresh blackberries, all place din a puff pastry shell and drizzled with a sweet glaze.

Cream Cheese Puff Pastry with Apples is a delicious pastry recipe made with apple filling, a sweet cream cheese mixture, and a sweet glaze, all placed in a flaky pastry crust.

Breakfast/Brunch, Brunch, Dessert, Fall Dessert

In a medium saucepan over low heat, bring water, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice to a boil, stirring constantly.
Continue stirring for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens up.
Once the sauce has thickened, add apples, stir and let simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the apples are tender..

Add sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, lemon juice and beat for an additional 2 minutes.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out seams on the puff pastry.
Cut each dough in half and then cut each strip into 3 pieces (will end up with 12 pieces).
Place each pastry dough on the prepared baking sheet(s).
Add a tablespoon of cream cheese mixture and a tablespoon of apple filling to the center of each pastry.
Brush the edges with egg wash.
Bake in preheated oven for 12-14 minutes or until golden.
Remove from oven and once cool, drizzle with glaze over the top and enjoy.

In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla together until combined.
Once the pastries have cooled, drizzle with glaze.

Nutritional values are approximate.

Please note that these values can change with different brands and any modifications made to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements.

Apple Cream Cheese Pastries, Apple Cream Cheese Pastry, Apple Pastries, Apple Pastry

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You might leave out carrots for the Easter bunny, but you’ll want these carrots for yourself. These Cream Cheese Filled Puff Pastry Carrots are the perfect way to celebrate Easter! They’re made with herbed cream cheese and puff pastry, so they’re delicious and fun. Serve this as an Easter appetizer or in the place of dinner rolls or biscuits.

This savory puff pastry is one Easter recipe that will surely stand out!

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Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Appetizer for Easter

This Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Appetizer is the perfect addition to your Easter feast! Flaky puff pastry is filled with a creamy mixture of cream cheese and parsley, then baked until golden brown. Serve them warm or at room temperature, with a glass of sparkling wine, Champagne or Sparkling Bunny Easter Drink Recipe.

Watch how easily these come together:

How to Store Carrot Shaped Stuffed Puffed Pastry Horns

These Carrot Shaped Stuffed Puffed Pastry Horns are best when eaten the same day they’re made. This is because you will need to reheat them before enjoying them again. This can cause them to get overdone and even the best made horns can get a dry texture to the puff pastry when they are reheated. However, they can be stored in the fridge for up to two days. Just make sure to reheat them in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes before serving. Be prepared to lose a bit of the filling.

Can These Be Made Ahead?

These are best when made before serving. However, you can do your prep ahead of time but I would not bake and fill them until you are just about ready to serve. If you do need to reheat the pastries, I suggest wrapping in aluminum foil to prevent the cream cheese filling from melting out of the horns.

What is the Cream Filling for Puff Pastry Roll Ups

This is a cream cheese filling that goes inside of the puff pastry roll ups. I am seasoning the cream cheese with fresh parsley. It adds the perfect amount of flavor to the cream filling for the puff pastries. You can add other herbs, either together or instead of. I am also using parsley to use as the ends of the carrots, so the parsley does double duty in this recipe.

How to Use these Cream Cheese Filled Puff Pastry Carrots for Easter

I love to make these cream cheese filled puff pastry carrots as part of my Easter celebration. If we are making a special brunch, these puff pastry carrots make a great addition. It adds that bit of whimsy to the table that everyone oohs and ahhs over. When we are making Easter dinner and want to serve a simple appetizer, these herbed cream cheese puff pastry treats are always on the menu. Sometimes, I have to remind people not to eat too many or else no one wants to eat dinner.

What to Serve with Cream Cheese Filled Puff Pastry Horns?

These are perfect for your Easter dinner, but I also love making these with brunch. For brunch I will also serve a quiche, some bacon wrapped dates, and a fruit salad. These are all great options that will pair well with the cream cheese filled puff pastry horns. Some more of my favorite ideas to serve with these cream cheese pastry horns are:

3 puff pastry sheets
1 cup (200 g) cream cheese (in room temperature)
¼ cup chopped parsley
1 tbsp grated lemon peel
½ tsp salt
10 small parsley sprigs

Special Tools Needed

Note: I highly recommend these cream horn molds. In addition to these savory puff pastries, you can easily make your own cream horn dessert pastries and other fun things like homemade ice cream cones.

Preheat the oven to 400 F (200 C)

In a mixing bowl, put the cream cheese, salt, and grated lemon peels.

Finely chop the parsley and add into the mixture.

Whisk the mixture until it gets a smooth consistency.

Put the puff pastry sheets on a floured surface and unroll the dough.

Cut into 12 (1-inch) strips with a knife or a pizza cutter.

Wrap 1 or 2 strips around each metal cone to create a carrot shape.

Place them into a baking tray and brush each of them with egg yolk.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes (until it gets golden brown.)

Take it from the oven and rest them for cooling.

Take the cheese cream mixture in a piping bag and pipe to each pastry.

Decorate each top with 1 parsley sprig.

These Cream Cheese Filled Puff Pastry Carrots are the perfect way to celebrate Easter! They’re made with herbed cream cheese and puff pastry, so they’re delicious and fun. Serve this as an Easter appetizer or in the place of dinner rolls or biscuits.

puff pastry sheets
(in room temperature)
grated lemon peel
small parsley sprigs
if you don’t have one, you can make with aluminum foils.

Preheat the oven to 400 F (200 C)
In a mixing bowl, put the cream cheese, salt, and grated lemon peels.
Finely chop the parsley and add into the mixture.
Whisk the mixture until it gets a smooth consistency.
Put the puff pastry sheets on a floured surface and unroll the dough.
Cut into 12 (1-inch) strips with a knife or a pizza cutter.
Wrap 1 or 2 strips around each metal cone to create a carrot shape.
Place them into a baking tray and brush each of them with egg yolk.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes (until it gets golden brown.)
Take it from the oven and rest them for cooling.
Take the cheese cream mixture in a piping bag and pipe to each pastry.
Decorate each top with 1 parsley sprig.

⭐Why this recipe works

An easy way to make an apple danish pastry.
This is a very versatile recipe. You can substitute cherry pie filling, peach pie filling, or blueberry pie filling for the apple pie filling for a different flavor profile.

🥣Ingredients

Puff pastry sheet – This pastry is buttery and flaky and produces a delicious crust in a fraction of the time it would take you to make your own.
Apple pie filling – Using apple pie filling is a great shortcut since it is already spiced and you don’t have to peel your own apples.
Cream cheese – Use softened cream cheese to make the spreading easier. To help it soften you can remove it from the wrapper and place the unwrapped cream cheese on a plate in the microwave for 15 seconds.
Egg – An egg wash gives this pastry braid its golden brown color.
Flour – To help keep the puff pastry dough from sticking to the cutting board.

📋Step by Step Instructions

STEP 1: Let puff pastry come to room temperature. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

STEP 2: Add flour to a cutting board. Roll the puff pastry sheet out to get the lines out.

STEP 3: Place the puff pastry on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cut lines on each side of the dough with a sharp knife or pizza cutter.

STEP 4: Spread softened cream cheese down the middle of the dough.

STEP 5: Add the apple filling over the cream cheese filling.

STEP 6: Crisscross the strips of dough over the filling to make a braid and fold the top and bottom ends over.

STEP 7: Whisk an egg and brush the egg wash over the top of the dough.

STEP 8: Bake for 25 minutes until the crust turns golden brown in color.

👩🏻‍🍳Expert Tips

Tip 1: Lining the baking sheet with parchment paper makes for easy cleanup.

Tip 2: Serve this warm with some vanilla ice cream on top for a decadent dessert.

🤷🏻‍♀️Recipe FAQs

Can I add a glaze to the apple braid?

You can certainly make your own glaze. Here is a great recipe for a powdered sugar glaze. If you are looking for an easy and yummy glaze, simply drizzle on some caramel syrup.

How do I store this apple cream cheese pastry?

When this cools, you can wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

🌟If you try this recipe, leave a star rating below or a review in the comment section. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get my latest recipes!

📖 Recipe

puff pastry sheet
canned apple pie filling

Let puff pastry come to room temperature. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
On a cutting board or pastry board add flour. Roll the puff pastry sheet out to get the lines out.
Place the puff pastry on a parchment lined baking sheet. With a knife or pizza cutter cut lines on each side of the dough.
Spread softened cream cheese down the middle. Fill with apple pie filling. Criss cross the dough over the filling.
Whisk an egg and brush over the top of the dough.
Bake for 25 minutes until golden light brown.

Lining the baking sheet with parchment paper makes for easy cleanup.
To soften the cream cheese: remove it from the wrapper and place the unwrapped cream cheese on a plate in the microwave for 15 seconds.
Serve this warm with vanilla ice cream on top for a decadent dessert.This nutrition information is approximate and was calculated using online calculators. Your nutritional information may vary depending on numerous factors.