Oh, the smell of freshly baked pastries just fills my heart with joy! There’s something so incredibly satisfying about pulling a tray of golden-brown danishes out of the oven, and let me tell you, these Cherry Almond Danish are pure magic. They look like they came straight from that fancy bakery downtown, but trust me, the secret is out – they’re surprisingly simple to make at home! I remember my grandma used to make these for special Sunday mornings, and the scent would have us kids practically glued to the kitchen door. They’re the perfect blend of sweet, nutty, and fruity, all wrapped up in flaky puff pastry. Get ready to impress yourself (and everyone you share them with)!
Why You’ll Love This Cherry Almond Danish Recipe
You’re going to adore whipping up these Cherry Almond Danishes because:
- They’re unbelievably easy to make, even if you’re a beginner baker!
- That combo of sweet cherries and fragrant almond paste is just divine.
- They look and taste super fancy, but they come together in a flash.
- Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful afternoon treat with coffee!
Gather Your Ingredients for Cherry Almond Danish
Alright, let’s get our goodies together for these fantastic Cherry Almond Danishes! You’ll want to have everything prepped and ready to go so we can just zoom through the assembly. Here’s what you’ll need:
First off, grab 1 package of puff pastry. Make sure it’s thawed if it was in the freezer, but keep it nice and cold for maximum flakiness – that’s a biggie! Then, we need about 1/2 cup of almond paste. This is the heart of our nutty flavor, and you can usually find it in the baking aisle of your grocery store. If you’re feeling super ambitious, you could totally make your own, but the store-bought stuff is wonderfully convenient!
Next up, we need 1/4 cup of granulated sugar. A little bit helps sweeten the almond paste, and it also gives it a nice texture. For that beautiful golden sheen on top, we’ll use 1 large egg, beaten. And of course, the star of the fruity show: 1/2 cup of cherry preserves. Use your favorite kind! Then, for a lovely crunch, get about 1/4 cup of sliced almonds. I like to give mine a quick toast in the pan for extra flavor, but it’s totally optional. Lastly, for that pretty, bakery-style finish, grab 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar for dusting.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cherry Almond Danish
Alright, let’s get our hands a little floury and make some magic happen! Making these Cherry Almond Danishes is really quite straightforward once you get rolling. My grandma always said the key is to have everything ready to go, so you’re not scrambling mid-step. Preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) is your first mission, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper – this is our non-stick superhero! If you’re feeling super adventurous, you can even try making your puff pastry from scratch, but the store-bought stuff is wonderfully convenient and still yields amazing results. Just remember, keep it cold!
Preparing the Almond Filling
First things first, let’s mix up that glorious almond filling. Grab a medium bowl and toss in your 1/2 cup of almond paste and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar. Now, just get in there with a fork or your fingers and really mash it all together until it’s a nice, cohesive paste. If you’re feeling extra fancy, a tiny splash of almond extract at this stage is *chef’s kiss*! It just amps up that almondy goodness even more.
Assembling the Cherry Almond Danish
Now for the fun part: assembly! Take your thawed—but still nice and cold—puff pastry sheets and gently unfold them onto a lightly floured surface. We want to slice each sheet into four perfectly even squares. Now, take a spoonful (about a tablespoon or so) of that yummy almond paste mixture and spread it onto one half of each pastry square, leaving a little border all around so the filling doesn’t all ooze out. Then, spoon about a tablespoon of your cherry preserves right over the almond paste. Finally, fold the other half of the pastry over the filling to create a little rectangle. Definitely crimp those edges with a fork – it seals them up tight and gives them a pretty pattern! It’s worth repeating that keeping everything cold really helps with those beautiful, flaky layers, just like when you’re making homemade puff pastry.
Baking and Finishing Touches
Once your danishes are all assembled, carefully place them onto that parchment-lined baking sheet. Now, grab that beaten egg and give each danish a nice, even brush all over the top. This gives us that beautiful golden color we’re after! Next, sprinkle those lovely sliced almonds generously over the tops. Pop them into your preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes. You’re looking for them to be puffed up and a gorgeous golden brown. Once they’re out, let them cool down just a bit on a wire rack before giving them a final touch: a dusting of powdered sugar. So pretty!
Tips for Perfect Cherry Almond Danish
Making these Cherry Almond Danishes perfectly every time is all about a few little tricks I’ve picked up over the years. First and foremost, remember that puff pastry drama! It hates being warm. So, even after thawing, keep it chilled until the very last second. If it starts feeling soft and melty, pop it back in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. Trust me, cold pastry means super flaky layers. And don’t underspoon the cherry preserves; you want a good dollop in there to balance out that almond creaminess. If you’re feeling adventurous and want extra flair, you could whip up a quick strawberry cream cheese frosting or even a vibrant maraschino cherry frosting to drizzle on top after they cool, but honestly, that simple dusting of powdered sugar is divine on its own!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Now, let’s chat real quick about those ingredients, because sometimes you need a little wiggle room! The almond paste is really the star here for that classic almond flavor, and while you can find it in most baking aisles, if you happen to have almond extract, a little splash (like 1/4 teaspoon) mixed in with the almond paste and sugar gives it an extra kick! Don’t have cherry preserves? No worries! Raspberry preserves work beautifully, or even a nice apricot jam. They all offer a lovely fruity brightness that complements the almond. For the nuts, if sliced almonds aren’t your jam, finely chopped pecans or even walnuts would be delicious sprinkled on top!
Serving Suggestions for Your Danish
These Cherry Almond Danishes are just perfect on their own, but they also make a fantastic addition to a cozy brunch spread! Imagine serving them alongside a slice of healthy oat bread or with a lovely cup of coffee. They’re also a dreamy afternoon pick-me-up treat, perhaps with a side of my coffee cookies. Honestly, any time you need a little sweet pick-me-up, these danishes fit the bill perfectly!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got any leftover Cherry Almond Danishes? Lucky you! Just let them cool totally, then pop them into an airtight container. They’ll stay yummy at room temperature for a day or two. If you need them to last longer, pop them in the fridge. To reheat and get that flaky goodness back, just give them a quick warm-up in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5-7 minutes. Don’t microwave these, please – it makes the pastry sad!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Almond Danish
Can I make the almond paste from scratch for my danishes?
You totally can make your own almond paste if you’re feeling ambitious! It’s usually just ground almonds, sugar, and a little bit of almond extract or egg white. But honestly, the store-bought stuff is fantastic and saves so much time, which is key when you want delicious Cherry Almond Danish quickly!
How long do these danishes stay fresh?
These guys are best enjoyed the day they’re made, when the puff pastry is at its absolute flakiest. But if you have leftovers, they’ll keep nicely in an airtight container at room temperature for about 1-2 days. For longer storage, pop them in the fridge, but be prepared to give them a little reheat to perk up that pastry!
What’s the best way to store puff pastry before making danishes?
The cardinal rule with puff pastry is to keep it COLD! If you’ve thawed it, try to use it within a couple of hours. If it starts feeling soft, definitely tuck it back into the fridge for a bit to firm up. Warm puff pastry just doesn’t puff up the same way, and we want maximum fluffiness for our Cherry Almond Danish!
Can I use different kinds of preserves besides cherry?
Absolutely! Cherries are wonderful, but don’t feel limited. Raspberry preserves are a fabulous choice, as is apricot jam. Even a really good strawberry or blueberry jam would work beautifully in these danishes. The important thing is that fruity burst to complement the nutty almond filling!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, these numbers are approximate for one delightful Cherry Almond Danish. Things can vary a bit depending on the exact brands you use, like which puff pastry or preserves you pick! This estimate is around 350 calories, 20g of fat (with about 8g saturated), 35g of carbohydrates, and 5g of protein per serving. Enjoy every bite knowing it’s totally worth it!
Print
Cherry Almond Danish
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple recipe for homemade cherry almond danishes.
Ingredients
- 1 package puff pastry, thawed
- 1/2 cup almond paste
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup cherry preserves
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine the almond paste and granulated sugar. Mix until well combined.
- Unfold the puff pastry sheets onto a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into four equal squares.
- Divide the almond paste mixture evenly among the puff pastry squares, spreading it onto one half of each square, leaving a small border.
- Spoon about 1 tablespoon of cherry preserves over the almond paste on each square.
- Fold the other half of the puff pastry over the filling to create a rectangle. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
- Place the danishes on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the beaten egg.
- Sprinkle the sliced almonds over the top of each danish.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed.
- Let the danishes cool on a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can add a teaspoon of almond extract to the almond paste mixture.
- If you don’t have cherry preserves, raspberry or apricot preserves work well too.
- Ensure the puff pastry is fully thawed but still cold for the best results.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 danish
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: cherry almond danish, puff pastry, almond paste, cherry preserves, easy dessert, breakfast pastry