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These quick fruit and cream cheese morning treats turn regular breakfasts into something special without much work. The crispy puff pastry holds a smooth, citrus-flavored filling with your seasonal fruit picks on top for a breakfast that's both pretty and tasty.
I came up with these pastries when friends dropped by unexpectedly one weekend morning. Everyone wanted to know how to make the buttery pastries with their tangy cream cheese and sweet fruit combo, and now they've become my go-to dish whenever I'm having people over.
Ingredients
- Cream cheese: Softened to make sure your filling mixes up smooth and spreads nicely
- Sugar: Cuts the tang of the cream cheese without making things too sweet
- Lemon juice and zest: Give a fresh kick that works against the rich filling
- Vanilla extract: Adds a nice background flavor to the mixture
- Frozen puff pastry sheets: Cut your prep time while still getting fancy-looking results
- Fresh fruit of your choice: Lets you switch things up based on what's good now
- Egg wash: Gives your pastries that beautiful brown shine
- Sanding sugar: Adds some sparkle and nice crunch to your finished treats
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Set Up Everything First:
- Turn your oven to 400°F and put parchment on two baking sheets. The paper stops sticking and makes cleanup super easy. Getting everything ready before you start helps things go smoothly.
- Mix Up The Filling:
- Mix the cream cheese with sugar, lemon juice, zest and vanilla until it's nice and smooth. Your cream cheese must be soft for this part. Cold cream cheese will leave lumps that won't mix in. You want it soft enough to spread but not runny.
- Get The Pastry Ready:
- Use thawed but still cool puff pastry on a surface with a bit of flour sprinkled on it. Cut each sheet into four circles with a 4-inch cookie cutter. The flour keeps things from sticking while the cool pastry will puff up better in the oven.
- Put Them Together:
- Make a little border around each pastry circle with a knife and poke the middle part with a fork. This makes a rim for your filling and stops the middle from puffing too much. Put the cream cheese mix inside each border, don't overfill. Put fruit on top in a nice pattern.
- Finish Them Off And Bake:
- Brush the edges with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar if you want. This simple touch makes them look like they came from a bakery. Bake until they're golden and puffy, about 15 to 18 minutes. They should rise up with visible flaky layers.
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I love having these on a lazy Sunday with a strong cup of coffee. My little girl helps put the fruit in patterns, and she gets so proud when visitors say how pretty they look. These simple kitchen moments become some of our favorite memories together.
Make-Ahead Options
Fresh-baked pastries taste best, but you can get some things ready early to save time in the morning. You can make the cream cheese mix up to 2 days before and keep it in the fridge in a sealed container. Let it warm up for about 15 minutes before using so it's easy to spread again. You can also cut out your pastry circles the night before and stack them between parchment paper in the fridge.
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Fruit Pairings and Combinations
What makes these pastries so great is how many ways you can make them. In spring, try fresh strawberries with some mint leaves. Summer calls for ripe peaches or plums with a bit of honey drizzled on top. Fall versions work well with thin apple slices and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Winter pastries can use orange segments or frozen berries. For something really special, try mixing fruits that go well together like raspberries with peaches or blueberries with a dollop of lemon curd.
Serving Suggestions
Make your breakfast spread even better by adding some protein dishes like bacon or a simple herb egg dish for balance. A light sprinkle of powdered sugar just before eating adds a nice finishing look. For group brunches, set up different fruit toppings and let everyone make their own pastry. Serve with some bubbly drinks or mimosas for special occasions.
Common Recipe Questions
- → What fruit works best for these pastries?
You can toss on whatever fruit you like. Try strawberries, raspberries, peaches, plums, apples, or pears. Go with what's fresh right now for the yummiest results.
- → Can I use pre-made pastry dough?
Absolutely. Store-bought frozen puff pastry does the job perfectly. 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 dough and don't go overboard with filling or fruit. Getting them in the oven right away also helps keep them nice and crispy.
- → Can I use a different type of cheese?
We suggest cream cheese because it spreads so well. But if you want something fancier, mascarpone can work too and gives a more indulgent taste.
- → How long do these pastries stay fresh?
They taste best when you eat them right away. But you can keep them in a sealed container on your counter for up to 2 days if needed.