Berry Pastry Braid with Fresh or Frozen Berries

Name: Berry Pastry Braid
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
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

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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.

A slice of berry pastry braid with powdered sugar.

Berries are calling to me, they are my absolute favorite, at least until peaches get here. I’ve been working on a Berry 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 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 piece of berry braid on a marble surface with a fork and mixed 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.

What’s the best way to serve a berry 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

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 the better route would be to 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.

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 being folded over fresh berries.

Step 4: Starting at one end, take a strip and fold it over at an angle, continue, alternating with each side. Top with an egg wash and sprinkle with Demerara sugar and bake.

A puff pastry braid baked 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.

Berry pastry braid on a plate with strawberries.

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 ass 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 that and place in the oven at 350º for about 5 minutes to crisp the pastry.

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