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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast & Brunch » Cream Cheese Puff Pastry

    Cream Cheese Puff Pastry

    Published: May 17, 2015 · Modified: Oct 25, 2021 by Barbara Curry · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    4.93 from 14 votes

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    A plate with a slice of berry braid on it with some strawberries around the plate.
    A plate with a slice of berry braid on it with some strawberries around the plate.

    Puff pastry and fresh berries combined with cream cheese are all you need for an EASY and simple berry pastry braid.  It’s much easier than it looks. So simple and delicious for breakfast or dessert. You can’t go wrong whichever berry you choose when made into a cream cheese puff pastry.

    Puff pastry braided over a cream cheese and berry filling on a marble board.


     

    Berries are calling to me, they are my absolute favorite, at least until peaches get here. I’ve been working on a Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Braid recipe for weeks and after lots of experimenting, I have a pastry that is an amazing way to show off berries. If it’s not berry season where you are, this will still be delicious with berries from the grocery or frozen. The cream cheese filling and puff pastry will make up for less than perfect berries.

    With several trials, all of which were tasty, everyone has had a chance to sample and these have been a big hit.  I’ve tried making it with all of the traditional berries, and everyone has a favorite.  Some prefer just strawberries, while I liked the combination of blueberries, raspberries and strawberries.

    A slice of puff pastry filled with cream cheese and berries.

    Can you use Frozen berries

    Frozen berries will work fine, just add them while they’re still frozen.  You can also mix frozen and fresh.  If berries are out of season then frozen is your best bet.

    In one batch we did blueberries on one half and strawberries on the other, and it looked like the Fourth of July.  Pick your favorite berries, and have fun.  I had one bag of frozen blueberries from last summer to use up before it’s time to pick for this season and they were delicious.

    This is not super sweet, so for me it’s perfect for breakfast or brunch. If you want it a little sweeter, sprinkle with powdered sugar or make a simple glaze with powdered sugar and milk to drizzle over the top.

    Powdered sugar being sprinkled over cream cheese puff pastry.

    What’s the best way to serve a breakfast puff pastry

    We decided that we liked it best either warm or at room temperature. When reheated in the toaster oven, it was just as good as fresh out of the oven. You do have to let it cool when it comes out of the oven which may be the hardest part. The filling gets so hot that you can’t enjoy it if eaten right away.

    What you’ll need

    Ingredients for a puff pastry braid.
    • Puff Pastry – The best brand that I’ve tried is Dufour, you can find it at Whole Foods. Pepperidge Farm will also work but I prefer Dufour which is made with butter and is flakier. Of course you could make your own which I’ve never tried. The Flavor Blender, walks you right through each step and makes it look pretty easy. She claims it’s much better than the frozen store bought ones. 
    • Cream cheese – Philadelphia brand is what I use.
    • Powdered sugar – This is by no means scientific, but it seems like when I buy an off brand of powdered sugar, it tastes like soap. It might just be me, but I stick with name brands.
    • Lemon and vanilla – I love the citrus flavor this adds to the cream cheese mixture and the richness of the vanilla.
    • Berries – you can use any type of berry or a mixture. You can also use fresh or frozen. If frozen you don’t need to thaw them first.
    • Demerara sugar and and egg white to brush over the top.

    Step by step directions

    Step 1: Combine cream cheese with lemon juice, powdered sugar and vanilla.

    A bowl of the cream cheese mixture for a berry braid.

    Step 2: Roll out the puff pastry into a rectangle and spread the cream cheese mixture down the center leaving about 4 inches on each side. Cut each side into 1 inch strips. Top the cream cheese layer with berries.

    Puff pastry with cream cheese down the center and the edges cut into strips.

    Step 4: Starting at one end, take a strip and fold it over at an angle, continue, alternating with each side.

    Puff pastry being folded over the cream cheese filling.

    Top with an egg wash and sprinkle with Demerara sugar. Place in the freezer for about five minutes to cool down the pastry.

    A puf pastry braid with an egg wash and sugar on top.

    Bake until golden brown.

    A baked cream cheese puff pastry on parchment paper.

    What is Demerara Sugar

    Demerara and Turbinado sugar are interchangeable, both can be used to top pastries. They are a partially refined cane sugar so the crystals are slightly larger and they have an amber color that makes them ideal for topping desserts and pastries.  You can find them in the baking section of most groceries. I use it to top a Berry Crisp and Peach Crumble.

    The end result is a breakfast or dessert pastry that you just have to try. Don’t worry about how pretty your braid is, you’re going to cut it into slices and no one will care if it’s not perfect.

    Slices of puff pastry braid on a cake platter.

    FAQs and tips

    What’s the best puff pastry to use for a braid?

    Dufour is the best puff pastry because it’s made of butter. Trader Joe’s also is made with butter and is a much better value but it’s only available around the holidays. Pepperidge Farm is also fine especially if you are trying to make this recipe vegan as it has no butter.

    Can you make a pastry braid in advance?

    Yes, you can make this in advance and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake it. Wait to put the egg wash and sugar on the top until right before you put it in the oven.

    Can you freeze a berry braid?

    Yes, let it cool completely before freezing. When ready to serve, let it thaw and place in the oven at 350º for about 5 minutes to crisp the pastry.

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    If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.

    Slices of pastry with berries in the background.

    Berry Pastry Braid

    Author: Barbara Curry
    Puff pastry and fresh berries combined with cream cheese are all you need for an EASY and simple berry pastry braid.  It's much easier than it looks. So simple but delicious for breakfast or dessert. You can't go wrong whichever berry you choose. 
    4.93 from 14 votes
    Print Pin
    PREP: 20 minutes minutes
    COOK: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 sheet Puff Pastry
    • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
    • ½ cup powdered sugar
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 cup berries blueberries, raspberries, strawberries
    • 1 egg white
    • demerara sugar
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 375º.
    • In a medium bowl add cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice and vanilla. Mix with hand held mixer until smooth.
    • Thaw puff pastry almost completely. Roll out onto a piece of parchment paper into a 14 x 11 inch rectangle.
    • Place cream cheese mixture down the center of the pastry lengthwise in a row about 2 inches wide. Add fruit to the top of the cream cheese mixture.
    • With a sharp knife, cut the side of the pastry into 1 inch strips on both sides of the cream cheese layer. Beginning at the top of the dough, take one strip and pull it over the cream cheese at an angle. Do the same on the other side. Continue until the filling is covered.
    • Mix egg white with a teaspoon of water and brush onto the braid. Sprinkle with Demerara sugar. Place onto a Jelly Roll pan to catch any juices and place in freezer for 5 minutes.
    • Bake for 30 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. Let cool before eating. Best warm or a room temperature.

    Video

    Barbara’s Tips + Notes
    • You can use all of one berry or any combination of berries.
    • Frozen berries will work.
    • If the dough gets too soft, put the entire braid on a cookie sheet and place in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
    • Roll the puff pastry onto parchment so that you can place it in the freezer for a few minutes before baking. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 246kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 139mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 312IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg
    Follow Me On SocialDid you make this recipe? Mention @ButterandBaggage or tag #ButterandBaggage on Instagram!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. cheryl says

      June 18, 2020 at 9:49 am

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness, I did a vegan version with Pepperidge Farm pastry (they’re vegan) and a Trader Joe’s vegan cream cheese and it was amazing! I did one with blueberries and one with dark chocolate! What a hit! The had cut them up and dug in before I could get a picture.
      This is just so easy to make…any filling is amazing!

      Reply
      • Barbara Curry says

        June 18, 2020 at 10:39 am

        Cheryl,
        Glad you could make this vegan!

        Reply
    2. Jenny says

      February 26, 2021 at 12:50 am

      5 stars
      Super tasty and easy recipe! I used the Pepperidge pastry puff sheets and it worked perfectly. I also tried this recipe with Go veggies vegan cream cheese and the cream seemed to still have a nice consistency!
      I used turbinado sugar and Was very generous with it. I think it made it more tasty.

      Reply
      • Barbara Curry says

        February 26, 2021 at 5:05 pm

        Glad you could make it vegan.

        Reply
    3. Sheri says

      February 27, 2022 at 11:35 am

      5 stars
      So easy and perfect for something a little extra for a weekend morning!!! Made with strawberries this time but can’t wait to try other berries!!!

      Reply
      • Barbara Curry says

        March 14, 2022 at 8:41 am

        We’ll see fresh berries here soon, I like to mix it up, but strawberries are my favorite.

        Reply
    4. Chrissy z says

      March 19, 2022 at 5:26 pm

      5 stars
      Made this and came out great ! When done I used icing on top!

      Reply
      • Barbara Curry says

        March 24, 2022 at 9:19 pm

        Icing makes everything better!

        Reply

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    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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