“This coffee cake is just like the one I used to bring with to family vacation. Now I can make it myself!”

This Cherry Almond Danish is a beautiful and delicious coffee cake that combines flaky puff pastry with a rich almond filling and sweet cherry pie filling. Topped with a smooth glaze and toasted almonds, it’s perfect for a special breakfast or brunch.

Ingredients:

For Filling:

For Danish:

For Glaze:

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).  
2. Make Almond Filling:
   • In a food processor, combine softened butter, sugar, and almond paste. Pulse until the mixture comes together.
   • Add egg whites and almond extract, processing until a smooth paste forms.
   • Mix in the flour and salt until a sticky, smooth filling is formed.
3. Prepare Puff Pastry:
   • Arrange the puff pastry sheet on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
   • Mark the center of the pastry with the back of a knife to indicate the filling area.
4. Cut Pastry for Braid:
   • Make 45-degree cuts, 2 inches apart, along each side of the marked center.
   • Leave a flap of dough at each end of the filling area to close the Danish.
5. Fill Danish:
   • Spread the almond filling evenly across the center of the pastry, leaving a 2-inch border along the flaps without filling.
   • Spread the cherry pie filling over the almond filling, focusing on the middle of the pastry to prevent leaks. (Use mostly cherries, discard excess gelatin.)
6. Braid Danish:
   • Flip both end flaps up.
   • Braid by making overlapping folds, alternating one strip at a time over the filling at a 45-degree angle.
7. Egg Wash and Almonds:
   • Whisk together the reserved egg yolks and 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash.
   • Brush the pastry with the egg wash.
   • Top the pastry with the sliced toasted almonds.
8. Bake:
   • Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
9. Make Glaze:
   • Whisk together the powdered sugar, almond extract, vanilla extract, and heavy cream until a smooth glaze forms. Reserve.
10. Prepare Apricot Glaze (Optional):
    • Mix apricot jam with 2 tablespoons of water until thinned.
11. Apricot Glaze Danish (Optional):
    • Remove Danish from oven & brush with apricot glaze immediately. Brush twice for extra sheen.
12. Glaze Danish:
    • Drizzle or spread the glaze over the warm Danish.
    • Let it cool until the glaze hardens.
13. Slice and Serve:
    • Slice and enjoy!