Introduction

Bringing a touch of pastry shop elegance to your kitchen, Blueberry Cream Cheese Streusel Danishes are the ideal treat for brunch or an afternoon pick-me-up. These delightful pastries feature a tender dough wrapped around a luscious cream cheese filling, all topped with vibrant blueberries and a crumbly streusel.

With the right balance of tart and sweet from the blueberries, complemented by the creamy cheese, each bite offers a satisfying textural contrast. Whether you're a seasoned baker or trying your hand at pastry for the first time, this recipe will guide you through creating these tempting treats that are sure to impress.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
All-purpose flour provides the structure for the pastry, ensuring a soft yet sturdy base. It helps create the flaky layers essential for classic Danish pastries.
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Sugar sweetens the dough slightly, enriching the overall flavor. It also aids in browning the pastry during baking, contributing to the appealing golden color.
1 teaspoon salt
Salt enhances the flavors in the pastry, balancing the sweetness. It is essential for making the dough more complex and helping the yeast to work effectively.
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Cold butter is crucial for achieving flaky layers. When combined with flour, it creates pockets that expand during baking, producing a light, airy texture.
1/2 cup whole milk, warm
Warm milk activates the yeast, allowing the dough to rise. It also adds a rich flavor and keeps the pastry moist and tender.
1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
Yeast provides leavening, causing the dough to rise and develop flavor. It contributes to the airy structure we desire in a Danish.
1 egg, beaten
The beaten egg serves as a binding agent in the dough, adding richness and moisture. It also acts as an egg wash, giving the finished pastries a beautiful sheen.
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
Cream cheese adds a luscious, creamy filling that contrasts beautifully with the fruit. Its tangy flavor enhances the overall taste of the pastry.
1 cup fresh blueberries
Blueberries introduce a burst of natural sweetness and acidity, complementing the cream cheese filling. They also provide a vibrant color that makes the pastries visually appealing.
1/4 cup powdered sugar
Powdered sugar sweetens the cream cheese filling for a deliciously sweet contrast against the tangy berries. It dissolves easily, creating a smooth and creamy texture.
1/2 cup brown sugar
Brown sugar adds moisture and a deeper flavor profile to the streusel topping. It contributes caramel notes that enhance the overall sweetness.
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
Oats provide a chewy texture in the streusel, offering a hearty contrast to the soft pastry. They also absorb some moisture, keeping the topping crisp.
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Cinnamon adds a warm, spicy note that complements the sweetness of the filling and the streusel. It enhances the aromatic quality of the baked pastries.
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for streusel)
This additional flour helps bind the streusel ingredients together, creating a crumbly topping that crisps up beautifully when baked.

Directions & Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the dough by mixing the dry ingredients.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. This creates a base for your pastry that ensures even distribution of flavors and provides structure. Prepping the dry ingredients first allows the yeast to work more effectively once combined with wet ingredients.

Step 2: In a microwave-safe bowl, warm the milk and dissolve the yeast in it.

Warming the milk activates the yeast, which is crucial for the dough's rise. Allow the mixture to sit for about five minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating that the yeast is active and ready to work.

Step 3: Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, incorporate the cold butter into the flour mixture. This is vital for creating those flaky layers in the pastry. The goal is to have small lumps of butter coated in flour that will create steam pockets during baking.

Step 4: Add the warm milk mixture and beaten egg to the dry ingredients.

Mixing the wet and dry ingredients together forms your dough. Avoid overmixing; a gentle approach keeps the dough tender. You want to just combine the ingredients until no dry flour remains.

Step 5: Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth, then let it rest.

Kneading develops the gluten, necessary for your dough to hold together. After kneading, let the dough rest for about an hour or until it has doubled in size – this step is essential for a light, airy texture.

Step 6: Prepare the cream cheese filling by blending the cheese with powdered sugar and (optionally) vanilla.

Beating the cream cheese until smooth ensures there are no lumps in your filling, contributing to a creamy texture. Adding powdered sugar sweetens it without making it too runny, and vanilla can heighten the flavor profile.

Step 7: Make the streusel topping by mixing together brown sugar, oats, flour, cinnamon, and butter.

This step creates a crumbly mixture that will top your Danishes. Combining ingredients ensures that the flavors meld together, resulting in a streusel that both contrasts and complements the filling.

Step 8: Roll out the dough and cut into squares, then fill with cream cheese and blueberries.

Flattening the dough evenly is important for uniform baking. The squares serve as a vessel for your filling, containing the cream cheese and blueberries. Be generous but careful not to overfill to avoid spillage.

Step 9: Top each filled square with streusel mixture before baking.

The streusel not only adds texture but also flavor, creating a sweet, crunchy topping. Distributing the streusel evenly across each pastry ensures they bake uniformly and enhances the overall appeal.

Step 10: Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown and bubbly.

Baking at the right temperature allows the dough to rise and the topping to crisp. Watch for a golden-brown color as an indicator that they are perfectly baked and ready to be enjoyed.

Step 11: Cool on a wire rack before serving.

Cooling is important to allow the filling to set slightly, making the pastries easier to handle. It also enhances the flavors as they rest, allowing the unique tastes of blueberry and cream cheese to meld beautifully.

Blueberry Cream Cheese Streusel Danishes step photo

The Importance of Cold Ingredients

Using cold ingredients, such as butter and cream cheese, is essential for achieving the perfect flaky texture of the Danish pastry. When cold butter is cut into the flour, it creates pockets that produce steam as the pastries bake, allowing them to rise and become airy rather than dense.

Blueberries: Fresh vs. Frozen

While fresh blueberries yield the best flavor and texture, frozen blueberries can work well in a pinch. If using frozen, don't defrost them prior to baking; instead, toss them in a little bit of flour to prevent them from releasing too much moisture, ensuring your Danishes remain crisp and delightful.

Customizing Your Pastry Experience

Feel free to personalize your Blueberry Cream Cheese Streusel Danishes with other fruits like raspberries or chopped strawberries. Swapping out berries allows for a variety of flavor profiles and can be adjusted according to what’s in season, creating a unique twist on this classic pastry.

FAQs

Why is my cream cheese filling too runny?

If your filling is too runny, it may be due to overmixing, which adds air. Blend only until smooth. Ensure your cream cheese is softened properly, but not overly warm.

What if my pastries are overcooked?

If they're overcooked, next time reduce the baking time slightly and keep an eye on them in the last few minutes. Consider using an oven thermometer to ensure even heating.

Can I replace blueberries with another fruit in the filling?

Yes, you can substitute blueberries with other berries or even fruits like cherries or peaches. Just be mindful of the moisture content and adjust accordingly.

How do I know when the dough has risen sufficiently?

The dough should double in size and feel slightly puffy. You can also gently press it; if the indentation remains, it’s ready for use.

What should I do if the streusel is too crumbly?

If your streusel mixture is too crumbly, try incorporating a little more melted butter to help bind it together. The right texture should be moist yet still crumbly.

Can I make these Danishes larger or smaller?

Absolutely! You can adjust the size of the squares when cutting the dough. Just ensure to modify the baking time accordingly.

Conclusion

Creating your own Blueberry Cream Cheese Streusel Danishes is a gratifying process that fills your kitchen with delightful aromas. With layers of flaky pastry, tangy cream cheese, and sweet blueberries, these treats are sure to please any crowd.

Whether for a special occasion or a simple weekend breakfast, this recipe offers a delightful way to impress your family and friends. Embrace your baking skills and enjoy every delicious bite!

Recipe Card