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Raspberry Cream Cheese Danish Braid Recipe

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4.3 from 11 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings

Description

This Raspberry Cream Cheese Danish Braid is a delicious and elegant pastry perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack. Made with buttery puff pastry, creamy sweetened cream cheese, tangy raspberry jam, and fresh raspberries, this braid is beautifully braided and finished with a shiny egg wash, toasted almonds, and a delicate almond glaze, adding a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Ready in just 45 minutes, it’s an impressive treat that’s surprisingly easy to make.

Ingredients

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Pastry

  • 2 puff pastry sheets (17.3 oz box), thawed according to package instructions
  • 4 tablespoons raspberry jam
  • 2/3 cup fresh raspberries (divided as 1/3 cup per pastry)
  • 1/3 cup sliced almonds, optional

Egg Wash

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water

Glaze

  • 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream or milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the Danish braids.
  2. Make Cream Cheese Filling: In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, beat together the room temperature cream cheese, granulated sugar, and egg yolk until smooth. Scrape down the sides and add vanilla and almond extracts. Beat again until fully combined. Cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  3. Prepare Puff Pastry Sheets: Carefully unfold thawed puff pastry sheets onto lightly floured parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat. Roll each sheet lengthwise about 2 inches longer until they measure approximately 9×11 inches.
  4. Trim Pastry Corners: Cut off the top two corners of each pastry sheet; these scraps can be saved and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar for baking later.
  5. Cut Slits for Braiding: On both sides of each pastry sheet, cut 9 to 10 slanting strips about 3/4 to 1 inch wide. Also, cut off the two remaining flaps at the bottom of each sheet and save with the other scraps.
  6. Fill Pastry: Stir the cream cheese filling well. Divide it evenly and spread it down the center of each rolled pastry sheet. Spoon 2 tablespoons of raspberry jam over the cream cheese on each pastry and top with 1/3 cup fresh raspberries per sheet.
  7. Braid the Danish: Starting from the top, fold the strips over the filling in an alternating side-to-side fashion to create a braid look. Fold the bottom flap up and gently press to seal the filling inside. Transfer the braided pastries carefully to a large baking sheet.
  8. Apply Egg Wash and Almonds: Whisk together the egg and water. Using a pastry brush, gently brush the braids with this egg wash. Sprinkle with sliced almonds if desired for added texture and flavor.
  9. Bake: Bake the Danish braids in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until they are golden brown and puffed up beautifully. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
  10. Prepare Glaze: While cooling, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, heavy cream (or milk), and almond extract in a medium bowl until smooth and pourable.
  11. Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the almond glaze generously over the cooled Danish braids. Cut into pieces and enjoy your delicious homemade pastry!

Notes

  • Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature for a smooth filling.
  • Do not over-roll the puff pastry sheets; they should maintain enough thickness to puff up nicely.
  • Use fresh raspberries for the best flavor and texture.
  • Extra pastry scraps can be baked separately as tasty cinnamon-sugar treats.
  • Allow the Danish to cool before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
  • You can substitute almond extract with lemon extract for a different flavor profile.
  • This pastry is best enjoyed fresh but can be covered and kept at room temperature for up to 2 days.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Pastry
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://sarabaking.com/raspberry-cream-cheese-danish-braid-recipe/