Description
Delicious Cherry Custard Danish Pastries made with flaky puff pastry, creamy vanilla custard, and a sweet cherry topping.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg + 1 tbsp milk (egg wash)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) whole milk
- 1/3 cup (65 g) sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1–2 tsp vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean
- 1 1/2 cups cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tbsp sugar (for cherries)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cornstarch (for cherries)
- 1 cup high-quality cherry pie filling (optional)
- 2 tbsp apricot jam + 1 tsp water (for glaze)
Instructions
- Make the Vanilla Custard: Heat milk + half the sugar + vanilla in a saucepan until steaming. In a bowl, whisk yolks + remaining sugar + cornstarch. Temper with hot milk, then return mixture to the saucepan. Cook on medium, whisking constantly, until thick and smooth. Remove from heat, stir in butter. Cover surface with plastic wrap and chill until cold.
- Prepare the Cherry Topping: If using fresh/frozen, add cherries + sugar + lemon juice to a saucepan. Heat until berries release juice. Add cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tsp water). Cook until glossy and thick. Cool completely. If using pie filling, use straight from the jar.
- Shape the Danish Pastries: Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F. Cut puff pastry into 8 equal squares. Fold the edges inward slightly to form a border OR score a smaller inner square with a knife. Brush edges with egg wash. Pierce the centers with a fork to prevent puffing.
- Fill the Pastries: Add 1–2 tablespoons of vanilla custard into the center. Top with cherries, arranging them neatly.
- Bake: Bake 18–22 minutes, until deep golden and crisp. Cool for 10 minutes.
- Glaze for Shine: Brush cherries lightly with warm apricot glaze to achieve that glossy bakery finish.
- Serve: Dust edges with powdered sugar and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For a quicker option, use pre-made cherry pie filling.
- Ensure the puff pastry is fully thawed before use for best results.
- These pastries can be served warm or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18–22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Danish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pastry
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 80mg