Are you craving a delicious, homemade treat that's both impressive and surprisingly easy to make? Look no further! This Blueberry Cream Cheese Danish recipe delivers flaky, buttery pastry filled with a tangy cream cheese swirl and juicy blueberries. It's the perfect breakfast, brunch, or afternoon delight, and it's guaranteed to impress your family and friends. This recipe is perfect for those looking for easy recipes, quick dinner ideas (though it's more of a dessert!), and healthy meals (with some modifications!). It’s a delicious dish, a fantastic addition to your homemade cooking repertoire, and definitely among the best recipes you'll find!
Ingredients:
For the Pastry:
- 1 ¼ cups (150g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (113g) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- ¼ cup (60ml) ice water
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 4 ounces (113g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Blueberry Filling:
- 2 cups (250g) fresh or frozen blueberries
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions:
Making the Pastry:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in the butter: Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add ice water: Gradually add the ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Don't overmix.
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Preparing the Fillings:
- Cream cheese filling: In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Blueberry filling: In a separate bowl, gently combine the blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice.
Assembling and Baking the Danish:
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 12x15 inch rectangle.
- Spread the fillings: Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border. Top with the blueberry filling.
- Roll and slice: Starting from the long side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Cut the log into 1-inch thick slices.
- Arrange and bake: Place the slices cut-side up in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Tips for the Best Blueberry Cream Cheese Danish:
- Use very cold butter and ice water for the flakiest pastry.
- Don't overmix the dough, as this can make it tough.
- If using frozen blueberries, don't thaw them before adding them to the filling.
- Let the Danish cool slightly before serving. This allows the filling to set.
Variations:
- Add a crumble topping: For extra texture, sprinkle a streusel topping over the Danish before baking.
- Use different berries: Raspberries, blackberries, or a mix of berries would also be delicious.
- Make mini Danishes: Roll the dough into a thinner rectangle and cut into smaller squares for individual portions.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 300-350
- Fat: 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: 35-40g
- Protein: 5-7g
This nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used. Remember to adjust ingredients to better fit your healthy meals goals! This recipe is easy to adapt and perfect for beginner bakers learning easy recipes and experienced cooks looking for a delicious, homemade treat. Enjoy!