Featured Image - Recipe for Cherry Danish Loaves

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I enjoy serving Cherry Danish Loaves on Christmas morning or for a special brunch, perhaps for Mother’s Day. I always make them the day before, and then give two of the loaves as gifts. Of course, I save two for ourselves, as our kids really love this Danish-style sweet bread.

Serve Cherry Danish Loaves on a Long Platter

This lightly sweet bread wraps around a delicious cream cheese and cherry pie filling. It’s so yummy and goes perfect with an egg casserole or quiche when you want something special for your family. Because it makes 4 loaves, it will easily feed 24 people, which makes it perfect for a potluck brunch. 

Ice Cherry Danish on Wire Racks

You may believe that bread loaves are complicated to make, but you might be surprised at how simple they are to prepare. Once you’ve made them a time or two, you’ll understand and hopefully, will be more inclined to try such recipes.

More Bread Loaves

Ingredients for Cherry Danish Loaves

(As a Walmart Affiliate, I earn from qualified purchases at the links below. See the full recipe at the bottom of this post.)

Instructions for Making This Recipe

Ingredient for the Bread Dough

Gather the first seven ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.

Make the Dough

Mix the Flour with the Sour Cream Mixture

In a medium saucepan, heat the sour cream, water, and butter to 110-115°F. Place butter mixture in a large mixing bowl. Add granulated sugar and large eggs. Mix well. Gradually add yeast and all-purpose flour, mixing well until the dough comes together in a ball. Do not knead. Cover and refrigerate for 6-8 hours.

Prepare the Filling

When you’re ready to make the loaves, preheat oven to 350°F.

Ingredients for the Danish Filling

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, large egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. Set aside.

Assemble the Loaves

Turn cold dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into four portions. Roll each into a 12″ x 8″ rectangle.

Spread Filling Down the Center of Each Loaf

Spread a fourth of the cream cheese mixture down the center of each rectangle. Spoon a fourth of the pie filling over the cream cheese.

I’ve always used cherry pie filling for this Danish, until this past year when I tried making it with raspberry pie filling. Oh my! It was delicious and may be my new favorite. Be fearless and try new things. Maybe even blueberry pie filling!

Fold Danish into Thirds and Pinch Ends to Seal

Fold ends of the dough over the filling. Follow this by folding the dough lengthwise into thirds. Pinch side seam and ends to seal. Place seam down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. (You will use two baking sheets, with 2 loaves on each pan.)

With a pair of sharp kitchen shears, make several 1-in diagonal cuts near the center of each loaf.

Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool on wire racks.

Make The Glaze

While the loaves are baking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, whole milk, and almond extract. Whisk together until smooth and creamy.

Drizzle the glaze over warm loaves. Refrigerate until ready to serve. This recipe will make 4 loaves and lovely gifts at Christmas or other times of year. Serve slices of Cherry Danish Loaves on a pretty platter for a weekend breakfast or brunch.

Featured Image - Recipe for Cherry Danish Loaves

Cherry Danish Loaves

This is a recipe we enjoy serving on Christmas morning or for a special brunch. Since it makes four loaves, it also makes a wonderful treat for gift-giving.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cooling/Rising Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 55 minutes
Serving Size 24

(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Ingredients 

Filling

  • 8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 whole egg
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 21 oz cherry pie filling (or raspberry pie filling)

Glaze

Instructions

  • Gather first seven ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.

Make the Dough

  • In medium saucepan, heat sour cream, water, and butter to 110-115°F.
  • Place butter mixture in a large mixing bowl. Add granulated sugar and large eggs. Mix well. Gradually add yeast and all-purpose flour, mixing well. Do not knead.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 6-8 hours.

Prepare the Filling

  • When you are ready to assemble the loaves, preheat oven to 350℉.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, large egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Set aside.

Assemble the Loaves

  • Turn cold dough onto lightly floured surface. Divide into four portions. Roll each into a 12" x 8" rectangle.
  • Spread a fourth of the cream cheese mixture down the center of each rectangle. Spoon a fourth of the pie filling over the cream cheese.
  • Fold edges of the dough over the filling. Next, fold the dough lengthwise into thirds. Pinch side seam and ends to seal.
  • Carefully roll the loaf over, so it's seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. (You will use two baking sheets, with 2 loaves on each pan.)
  • With a pair of sharp kitchen shears, make several 1-in diagonal cuts near the center of each loaf.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool on wire racks.

Make The Glaze

  • While the loaves are baking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, whole milk, and almond extract. Whisk together until smooth and creamy.
  • Drizzle the glaze over warm loaves. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes 4 loaves. Each loaf will serve approximately 6 people.

Notes

*Unless otherwise indicated, all butter used on this recipe site is salted.
**This recipe was modified on 4/28/25 with new ingredient amounts and directions. 

Nutrition

Calories: 244kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 87mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 380IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

 

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2 Comments

    1. Thanks, Susie! We enjoy this Cherry Danish. It’s perfect for any special occasion.