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Turn ordinary mornings into something special with these easy fruit and cream cheese pastries. The buttery, flaky layers hold a zesty, smooth filling topped with your pick of fresh fruits—making breakfast feel fancy without much work.
I whipped these up when friends dropped by unexpectedly one weekend. Everyone kept asking me for the recipe after tasting the mix of tangy cream cheese with sweet fruit on that buttery crust. They've been my go-to crowd-pleaser ever since.
Ingredients
- Cream cheese: Needs to be soft so you won't get lumps when mixing
- Sugar: Just enough to take the edge off the cream cheese without making it too sweet
- Lemon juice and zest: Adds a fresh kick that cuts through the creaminess
- Vanilla extract: Gives the filling a cozy, rounded flavor
- Frozen puff pastry sheets: The shortcut that makes these pastries doable any day
- Fresh fruit of your choice: Pick whatever looks good at the market
- Egg wash: This is what gives your pastries that beautiful golden color
- Sanding sugar: For that sweet crackly finish on top
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Get Everything Ready:
- Set your oven to 400°F and put parchment on two baking sheets. This stops sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Having all your stuff laid out first makes the whole process go smoothly.
- Whip Up The Filling:
- Mix the cream cheese with sugar, lemon bits, and vanilla until it's silky smooth. Your cream cheese must be soft—cold cream cheese will leave annoying lumps. You want it easy to spread but still thick enough to stay put.
- Fix The Dough:
- Keep the puff pastry cold but thawed on a slightly floury surface. Use a 4-inch cookie cutter to make four circles from each sheet. A little flour keeps it from sticking while keeping it cold means it'll puff up nicely in the oven.
- Put Them Together:
- Cut a shallow circle inside each pastry round and poke the middle part with a fork. This creates a rim for your filling and stops the middle from puffing too much. Spread cream cheese mix inside each rim, don't go overboard. Arrange your fruit on top in any pattern you like.
- Last Touches And Baking:
- Brush the edges with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar if you want. This simple step makes them look like they came from a fancy bakery. Bake until they're golden and puffy, about 15 to 18 minutes. You'll see the layers have risen and look deliciously flaky.
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Nothing beats eating these on a slow Sunday morning with some strong coffee. My little girl loves arranging the fruit in patterns, and she gets so proud when guests comment on her artwork. These simple kitchen moments have turned into some of our favorite memories together.
Make-Ahead Options
Fresh-baked pastries taste best, but you can get a head start to make your morning easier. You can mix the cream cheese filling up to 2 days early and keep it in the fridge in a sealed container. Just let it sit out for about 15 minutes before using so it softens up again. You can also cut out the dough circles the night before and stack them between parchment sheets in your fridge.
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Fruit Pairings and Combinations
What makes these pastries so great is how you can switch them up. In spring, try fresh strawberries with some mint leaves. Summer calls for ripe peaches or plums with a touch of honey drizzled on top. Fall versions are amazing with thin apple slices and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Winter pastries work well with orange segments or even frozen berries. For something really tasty, try mixing fruits like raspberries with peaches or blueberries with a bit of lemon curd.
Serving Suggestions
Make your breakfast table even better by adding some protein dishes like crispy bacon or a simple herb egg frittata for balance. A little powdered sugar dusted on top just before eating adds a nice fancy touch. When hosting brunch, set up different fruit options and let everyone build their own pastries. Pair with some bubbly punch or mimosas for special occasions.
FAQs About the Recipe
- → What fruit works best for these pastries?
You can toss on whatever fruit you like such as strawberries, raspberries, peaches, plums, apples, or pears. Go for what's fresh and in season to get the tastiest results.
- → Can I use pre-made pastry dough?
For sure, store-bought frozen puff pastry does the trick nicely. Just remember to let it thaw before you start working with it.
- → How do I prevent the pastry from becoming soggy?
Make small cuts in the pastry and don't go overboard with the filling or fruit. Getting them in the oven right away also keeps them nice and crisp.
- → Can I use a different type of cheese?
While cream cheese gives you that perfect smoothness, you might want to try mascarpone if you're after something a bit more indulgent.
- → How long do these pastries stay fresh?
They taste best when they're fresh out of the oven but you can keep them in a sealed container on your counter for up to 2 days.