Description
Delight in this easy-to-make Pumpkin Cream Cheese Danish, featuring flaky puff pastry filled with a creamy and spiced pumpkin cream cheese mixture. Perfect as a cozy fall breakfast or a sweet dessert, these danishes bake up golden and puffy, then optionally dusted with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Finishing
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare the puff pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet and cut it into 8 equal rectangles to form the base of your danishes.
- Make the filling: In a mixing bowl, blend together the softened cream cheese, pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Fill the pastries: Spoon a generous tablespoon of the pumpkin cream cheese filling into the center of each puff pastry rectangle, ensuring even distribution.
- Fold the pastries: Gently fold the four corners of each rectangle towards the center, slightly overlapping to create a sealed pocket that will hold the filling during baking.
- Arrange for baking: Place the filled pastries on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart to allow room for puffing up.
- Apply egg wash: Brush the top surfaces of each pastry with the beaten egg to give them a shiny golden finish after baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown and puffed.
- Cool the danishes: Remove the pastries from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool slightly, which helps set the filling and makes them easier to handle.
- Serve: Optionally, dust the danishes with powdered sugar before serving to add a touch of sweetness and a pretty finish.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened before mixing to achieve a smooth filling.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking while baking.
- Feel free to add a pinch of cloves or ginger for extra spice in the filling.
- These danishes are best served warm but can be reheated gently if needed.
- To make ahead, assemble the danishes and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before baking.
