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Danish puff pastry baked with drizzled glaze on top.

Easy Braided Danish Puff Pastry

Patricia Martinescu from Bake Cook Repeat
If you want to feel like a French pastry chef, then you have to make this Easy Braided Danish Puff Pastry. Homemade cream filling and fresh fruit nestled between flaky, buttery layers of puff pastry. It's delicate, impressive and delicious! 
5 from 7 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
additional time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, Baking, Brunch
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 294 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 sheets pre-made puff pastry frozen or refrigerated
  • 1 Tablespoon powdered sugar for dusting
  • 1 egg white whisked, for the egg wash
  • 2 cups fresh peaches, blueberries, blackberries
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds
  • 1 Tablespoon coarse sugar

For the cream filling:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg yolks room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the icing:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons hot water

Instructions
 

  • Please go back and read through how to braid puff pastry, expert tips and ingredient notes before beginning.
  • Thaw puff pastry per package directions. The dough should be easy to work with but still cold to the touch. Gently use a rolling pin to smooth out any bumps or curves.
    2 sheets pre-made puff pastry
    Rolling pin over the puff pastry sheet.
  • Preheat the oven to 425°F / 218°C.
  • In a stand mixer bowl, combine cream cheese, egg yolk, sugar and vanilla extract. Use the whisk attachment and beat until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, you may use a large mixing bowl and an electric hand mixer.
    8 ounces cream cheese, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 egg yolks, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    Cream filling in kitchen aid mixer.
  • Working with one sheet at a time, use a pastry cutter or sharp knife to cut 11 thick slits, about 1 inch apart, on both sides of the puff pastry, leaving the center in tact.
    Cutting strips on each side of puff pastry sheet.
  • Remove the first cut from each corner.
    Pulling the excess puff pastry edges off.
  • Evenly spread half of the filling down the center of the puff pastry sheet, leaving a border around the cuts. Fill the center with fresh, seasonal fruits of your choice.
    2 cups fresh peaches, blueberries, blackberries
    Braided Puff Pastry.
  • Working with one sheet at a time, first fold the top of strip over the filling.
    Easy Braided Danish Puff Pastry.
  • Starting on one end, fold the next strip over the filling to the other side of the puff pastry, matching with the direct strip across. Continue until you reach the bottom. When you get to the end, tuck in the center piece and pull the last flap over.
    Note: if you need more detailed step by step photos of the braiding process, see above blog post.
    How to fold a braided puff pastry.
  • Brush the tops with egg wash and sprinkle coarse sugar. I like to add sliced almonds to the pastries filled with peaches.
    1 egg white, 1/4 cup sliced almonds, 1 Tablespoon coarse sugar
    Braided puff pastry on baking tray.
  • Bake at 400°F for 50-55 minutes until puffy and golden brown.
  • Make the glaze by adding powdered sugar and hot water together. Whisk until smooth and glossy. Lightly drizzle the puff pastry while its still hot. Dust with powdered sugar. Depending on how big or small you cut these pastries, you can have up to 8 servings.
    Note: although it’s not absolutely required, please trust me when I say a light drizzle of my glaze on top is a necessity! The pastry on it’s own is not sweet at all. Try it first before you skip it. Discard any leftover glaze. You don't need to use it all.
    1 Tablespoon powdered sugar, 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons hot water
    Easy Braided Danish Puff Pastry.

Notes

  • Hot cream cheese filling will have an eggy texture, taste undercooked, and simply put, it's not pleasant to eat. Wait at least 30 minutes before enjoying.

Nutrition

Calories: 294kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 3gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 129mgPotassium: 63mgSugar: 39gVitamin A: 551IUCalcium: 41mgIron: 0.1mg

The provided nutritional value above is an estimate per serving. 100% accuracy is not guarenteed. Please see Nutrition Information Disclaimer in our Privacy Policy.

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Keyword Appetizer, Baking, Dessert, Easy recipes
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