Description
This delectable Blueberry Cream Cheese Pastry Braid with Vanilla Icing is a delightful treat that combines the buttery flakiness of puff pastry with a sweet and tangy blueberry cream cheese filling, all topped with a luscious vanilla icing. Perfect for brunch, dessert, or a special snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry:
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Blueberry Filling:
- ½ cup blueberry preserves or pie filling
- ½ cup fresh blueberries
Egg Wash:
- 1 egg (beaten)
Vanilla Icing:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Assemble Pastry: Roll out the puff pastry slightly on a lightly floured surface and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Spread the cream cheese mixture down the center third of the pastry, leaving about 1 inch at the top and bottom edges. Spoon the blueberry preserves over the cream cheese and sprinkle with fresh blueberries.
- Braid the Pastry: Using a sharp knife, cut 1-inch-wide diagonal strips along both sides of the pastry, leaving the filling untouched in the center. Fold the strips over the filling, alternating sides to create a braided look, and tuck the ends underneath. Brush the pastry with the beaten egg.
- Bake: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown and puffed. Let cool slightly.
- Prepare Vanilla Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to form the icing.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle the icing over the cooled braid before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can swap blueberries for raspberries, strawberries, or cherries for variation.
- For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of lemon zest to the cream cheese filling.
- This pastry tastes best the same day but can be reheated lightly in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, European-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
