This Christmas Breakfast Danish is easier to make than you might think!
Made with flaky puff pastry, sweet cherry pie filling, and a beautiful braided design, making it a festive and delicious way to start the day.
From appetizers to desserts, our collection of puff pastry recipes covers every occasion imaginable. See the full list and get inspired!
'Tis the season for festive flavors and cozy mornings, and what better way to celebrate Christmas morning than with a homemade breakfast pastry?
This year, ditch the store-bought goodies and impress your loved ones with a warm, flaky Christmas Breakfast Recipe they'll be asking for all year long!
Looking for more breakfast ideas for Christmas? Try my Magical Christmas Breakfast, or my Christmas Breakfast Cinnamon Roll Casserole.
Table of Contents
- Get Your "Jingle Bell Bites" eBook Now!
- How to Braid Puff Pastry
- Apple Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Braid
- 🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Kitchen Tool Spotlight
- Top Tips
- Baking Instructions
- Before you Begin!
- Recipe FAQ's
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- More Recipes You'll Love!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Get Your "Jingle Bell Bites" eBook Now!
“Jingle Bell Bites” is your ticket to stress-free holiday entertaining. Get your copy today and make this your tastiest holiday season yet!
10 easy-to-make recipes, ranging from simple to show-stopping that will have your guests raving and begging for more!
How to Braid Puff Pastry
Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, make parallel diagonal cuts along both long sides of the pastry, starting from the edge and cutting towards the filling (but not through it). These cuts should be about 1-inch apart.
Begin at one end and fold the top and bottom strips over the filling to enclose the ends. Then, alternate folding strips from each side over the filling, creating a criss-cross pattern like you're lacing up a shoe.
Once you reach the end, trim any excess pastry. You should tuck the ends under the braid to create a neat finish and to ensure that none of the filling escapes while baking.
Brush with an egg wash for a golden shine and bake according to your recipe instructions.
Recipe Inspiration!
Apple Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Braid
Teaser text for your recipe.
🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
Reynolds Kitchens Cookie Baking Sheets, Pre-Cut Parchment Paper, 22 Sheets (Pack of 1)
Gorilla Grip Patented Large Pizza Cutter Wheel, 9 Inch, Rust Resistant Sharp Stainless Steel Blade, Comfort Handle, Thumb Guard Protection, Slice Thick or Thin Pizzas, Pie, Pastries in Seconds, BlueAmici Home Christmas Tree Sugar & Creamer Set - 8oz Ceramic Creamer Pitcher with Drip-Free Spout & Sugar Bowl with Lid, Dishwasher Safe - Holiday Plaid Xmas Tree, Vintage Sugar & Creamer SetLifewit Serving Tray Plastic for Party Supplies, 15
Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Substitutions and Variations
For an even easier option, use a sheet of crescent roll dough or simply press crescent rolls together to form a single sheet.
Swap out the cherry pie filling with your favorite! Strawberry or blueberry would also be great.
Try my Apple Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Braid that's made with fresh apples!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cream the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
Step 2: Roll out a sheet of puff pastry to a ¼ inch thick on top of a sheet of parchment paper.
Kitchen Tool Spotlight
Parchment paper simplifies every step: roll the dough on it to keep surfaces clean, transfer it easily to the baking sheet, and enjoy quick cleanup once the pastry is baked!
Step 3: Add the cream cheese filling to the center of the puff pastry.
Step 4: Spoon the cherry pie filling on top of the cream cheese mixture. Cut diagonally on either side of the filling to make strips of dough.
Step 5: Begin folding the strips over the filling alternating sides to "braid" the dough.
Step 6: Continue alternating the strips down the length of the pastry then tuck the ends under to close completely. Chill the pastry for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
Top Tips
- Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter for clean cuts.
- If your filling is very runny, try chilling the pastry for a bit before braiding.
- Don't worry if your braid isn't perfect – it will still taste delicious!
Baking Instructions
Step 7: Brush the top of the braid with an egg white and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Step 8: Cool slightly then top with a glaze by combining the powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract.
Before you Begin!
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Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
Puff pastry is made by layering butter and dough, then rolling and folding it repeatedly to create hundreds of thin layers. When baked, these layers puff up, resulting in a light, airy, and flaky pastry.
If you're in a pinch, substitute puff pastry with phyllo dough (brushed with butter for richness) or croissant dough for a similar flaky texture. For easier options, try crescent roll dough or pie crust, but keep in mind they won't be as flaky.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Refrigerate: To store your pastry, place it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Wrap the cooled Danish tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe bag. This helps prevent freezer burn. This will remain fresh for up to 3 months.
Thaw and Reheat: When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in a preheated oven at a low temperature until warmed through. You can also reheat individual slices in the toaster oven.
More Recipes You'll Love!
Check out my other recipe for Raspberry Cream Cheese Puff Pastry or you might like this recipe for Easy Cream Cheese Danish.
📖 Recipe Card
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Christmas Breakfast Danish
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry dough, defrosted but still cold
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup cherry pie filling, more if needed - you don't wan to overfill the puff pastry braid or it will "leak" while baking.
- 1 egg white
- 1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ½ cup powdered sugar and ½ teaspoon vanilla. Mix until smooth. Set aside and prepare the puff pastry.
- Carefully unfold the sheet of puff pastry. Place on top of a sheet of parchment paper and roll lightly with a floured rolling pin until it is ¼ inch thick. Transfer the puff pastry with the parchment paper to a baking tray.
- Add the cream cheese mixture down the center of the puff pastry only.
- Carefully spoon the cherry pie filling on top.
- Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, begin slicing diagonal strips down both sides of the puff pastry being careful to leave a ½ inch border around the cream cheese and cherry pie filling. You should get around 8 to 10 strips depending on the length of your pastry braid.
- Starting at one end, begin folding the strips over the cherries, alternating sides to "braid" the dough.
- Continue to fold the dough strips until the cherries are covered. Tuck the end strips under to close completely.
- Place the baking tray in the refrigerator and allow the puff pastry to chill for 30 minutes.
- Brush the pastry braid with the beaten egg white and sprinkle the top with 1 to 2 tablespoons granulated sugar.
- Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Allow to cool slightly before drizzling the powdered sugar glaze on top.
Notes
- Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter for clean cuts.
- If your filling is very runny, try chilling the pastry for a bit before braiding.
- Don't worry if your braid isn't perfect – it will still taste delicious!
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