Description
This easy braided puff pastry recipe combines creamy sweetened cream cheese with fresh berries wrapped in flaky, golden puff pastry. Perfect as a delightful breakfast, brunch, or dessert, the beautiful braided design adds an elegant touch while the blend of tangy cream cheese and mixed berries creates a refreshing flavor contrast.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry and Filling
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)
Finishing
- 1 egg white
- 1 teaspoon water
- Demerara sugar, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC) to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature when your pastry is ready to bake.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Use a hand-held mixer to blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Thaw the puff pastry sheet almost completely; it should be cold but not frozen for easier handling. Roll it out on a piece of parchment paper into a 14 by 11 inch rectangle.
- Add Filling and Berries: Spread the cream cheese mixture down the center of the pastry lengthwise in a row about 2 inches wide. Top the cream cheese layer evenly with your choice of berries.
- Braid the Pastry: Using a sharp knife, cut 1 inch wide strips on each side of the cream cheese and berry filling. Starting at the top, alternate folding one strip from each side diagonally across the cream cheese, overlapping them to create a braided pattern until the filling is enclosed.
- Finish and Chill: Mix the egg white with a teaspoon of water and brush this glaze over the entire braided pastry. Sprinkle Demerara sugar generously on top for added crunch and sweetness. Place the pastry on a jelly roll pan to catch any juices and freeze for 5 minutes to help it hold its shape during baking.
- Bake and Cool: Bake the braided pastry in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until it turns golden brown and puffy. Allow it to cool before slicing and serving to let the filling set.
Notes
- Ensure the puff pastry is fully thawed but still cold to make handling and braiding easier.
- Demerara sugar adds a nice crunchy texture; you can substitute with coarse sugar if unavailable.
- Feel free to use any fresh berries or a combination based on season and preference.
- Letting the pastry cool before cutting helps prevent the filling from oozing out.
- The freezing step before baking helps the pastry retain its braided shape.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
