Peach Danish Recipe

Picture this: golden, flaky pastry filled with sweet, juicy peaches and creamy cheese filling that melts in your mouth. This Peach Danish Recipe brings the magic of your favorite bakery right to your kitchen, and honestly, it's easier than you think! I've been perfecting this Peach Danish Recipe for years, and I'm excited to share every secret with you.

What makes this Peach Danish Recipe special is how it transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary. Using store-bought puff pastry as our base, we create a dessert that looks impressive but requires minimal effort. This Peach Danish Recipe delivers that perfect balance of buttery, flaky pastry with the sweet-tart flavor of fresh peaches ; it's like summer on a plate!

The Story Behind This Amazing Summer Treat

Danish pastries originated in Vienna but found their true calling in Denmark, where bakers perfected the art of laminated dough. This Peach Danish Recipe honors that tradition while making it accessible for home bakers. The beauty lies in how the puff pastry creates those signature flaky layers that Danish pastries are famous for.

Summer peaches are the star of this Peach Danish Recipe, bringing natural sweetness and vibrant color to every bite. When peach season arrives, there's no better way to celebrate than with this homemade pastry. This Peach Danish Recipe captures the essence of fresh fruit in a way that feels both elegant and comforting. The combination of cream cheese filling with tender peaches creates a harmony of flavors that's simply irresistible in this Peach Danish Recipe.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Expert Cooking Tips
• Recipe Variations & Substitutions
• Equipment Recommendations
• Storage & Meal Prep Tips
• Grandma's Secret That Changed Everything
• FAQ
• Sweet Endings and More Delicious Adventures
• Related
• Pairing
• Peach Danish Recipe

Ingredients

For the Danish Base:

• Frozen puff pastry, thawed
• Egg, beaten
• Milk

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

• Cream cheese, softened
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Cornstarch

For the Peach Topping:

• Fresh peaches, sliced (or canned peaches, drained)
• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Lemon juice

For the Glaze:

• Almond extract (optional)
• Powdered sugar
• Milk

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Prepare Your Workspace and Ingredients

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Remove the puff pastry from the freezer and let it thaw for 30 minutes at room temperature.
3. Wash and slice your fresh peaches into thin wedges, removing the pits.
4. In a small bowl, toss the peach slices with brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice ; set aside to macerate.

Create the Cream Cheese Filling

1. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
2. Add granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and cornstarch ; mix until well combined.
3. The mixture should be smooth and spreadable ; if too thick, add a teaspoon of milk.
4. Set the filling aside while you prepare the pastry.

Shape and Fill the Danish

1. Unfold the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.
2. Cut the pastry into 6 equal rectangles using a sharp knife.
3. Place rectangles on your prepared baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between each piece.
4. Spread 2 tablespoons of cream cheese filling in the center of each rectangle, leaving borders.
5. Top each with 3-4 peach slices, arranging them in an overlapping pattern.
6. Brush the exposed pastry edges with the beaten egg mixed with milk.

Bake to Golden Perfection

1. While still warm, prepare your glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract.
2. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the pastry is golden brown and puffed.
3. The edges should be crispy and the filling should be set but still creamy.
4. Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.

Expert Cooking Tips

Temperature Control Secrets

• Keep your puff pastry cold until ready to use. Warm pastry becomes difficult to work with and won't puff properly. If the pastry becomes too soft while working, pop it back in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. This Peach Danish Recipe relies on cold butter in the pastry to create steam and those beautiful flaky layers.

Peach Preparation Mastery

• Choose peaches that are ripe but still firm ; overly soft peaches will release too much juice during baking. If using canned peaches, drain them thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels. Fresh peaches can be peeled if desired, but the skin adds beautiful color and texture to your Danish.

Filling Distribution Tips

• Don't overfill your Danish pastries. Too much filling will cause overflow during baking and prevent proper puffing. Aim for about 2 tablespoons of cream cheese mixture per Danish, leaving at least a ½-inch border around the edges.

Egg Wash Excellence

• For the most beautiful golden color, use a mixture of egg and milk rather than just egg. This creates a more even, less intense color that photographs beautifully. Apply the egg wash gently to avoid deflating the pastry edges.

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

Dietary Modifications

• For a lighter version, substitute half the cream cheese with Greek yogurt ; this reduces calories while maintaining creaminess. Vegan bakers can use dairy-free puff pastry with cashew cream cheese and plant-based milk for the egg wash alternative.

Flavor Variations

• Try adding ¼ teaspoon cardamom to the cream cheese filling for a Scandinavian twist. Almond extract in the filling pairs beautifully with peaches, or substitute with orange zest for citrus brightness. For chocolate lovers, add 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips to the cream cheese mixture.

Fruit Substitutions

• While peaches are perfect, this recipe works wonderfully with other stone fruits. Try plums, apricots, or nectarines using the same preparation method. Berries work too ; just toss with a bit of cornstarch to prevent excess juice from making the pastry soggy.

Seasonal Adaptations

• In fall, substitute peaches with thinly sliced apples tossed with cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg. Winter calls for pear slices with a touch of ginger in the cream cheese filling. The versatility of this base recipe means you can enjoy Danish pastries year-round.

Equipment Recommendations

• Essential tools for perfect Danish pastries include a sharp knife for clean pastry cuts and even peach slices. A pastry brush ensures even egg wash application, while a large baking sheet with parchment paper prevents sticking. This Peach Danish Recipe benefits from a stand mixer for the smoothest cream cheese filling, though a hand mixer works perfectly too.
• A bench scraper helps move delicate pastry pieces without tearing. Measuring cups and spoons ensure consistent results every time. For the glaze, a fine-mesh sieve creates the smoothest finish by removing any lumps from the powdered sugar.

Storage & Meal Prep Tips

Refrigerator Storage

• Store baked Danish pastries covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pastry will soften slightly but still tastes delicious. For best texture, reheat individual pieces in a 350°F oven for 3-5 minutes before serving.

Freezing Instructions

• Unbaked assembled Danish can be frozen for up to 1 month. Place on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bags. Bake directly from frozen, adding 3-5 extra minutes to the cooking time.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Prepare the cream cheese filling up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate. The peach mixture can be made the morning of baking. This Peach Danish Recipe assembly goes quickly when components are prepped, making it perfect for entertaining or special breakfast occasions.

FAQ

Sweet Endings and More Delicious Adventures

This Peach Danish Recipe proves that bakery-quality pastries are absolutely achievable in your home kitchen. The combination of flaky puff pastry, creamy filling, and sweet peaches creates a dessert that's both elegant and comforting. Every bite delivers that perfect balance of textures and flavors that makes this Peach Danish Recipe truly special.

Once you've mastered this Peach Danish Recipe, you'll find yourself reaching for it whenever you want to impress guests or treat your family to something extraordinary. The best part is how adaptable it is ; different fruits and flavor combinations mean you'll never get bored. Try our Strawberry Cream Cheese Turnovers Recipe for another delightful pastry adventure, or explore our Mixed Berry Pavlova Recipe for a stunning summer dessert that showcases fresh fruit in an entirely different way.

Happy baking-By Lisa Johnson ✨

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Pairing

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