Are you a fan of bite-size treats? These irresistible mini cherry pastries are filled with a creamy sweet cheese center and a homemade cherry sauce. They are baked to golden perfection and then drizzled with a sweet glaze. The flavor combination of the cream cheese filling, the cherry sauce, and the sweet glaze is simply irresistible.
Ah, pastries. Has there ever been a bad time for them? No. The answer is no. Pastries for breakfast? Of course. Pastries as an afternoon snack? Yep! Pastries for dessert? Don’t threaten me with a good time! And, of course, pastries make great party food. Which is why I love making these little mini cherry pastries. They have all the sweetness, tang, and flaky, buttery goodness of classic pastries, but they’re in a little package that’s so cute and so easy to eat at any kind of party. I love bringing these to cookouts, barbecues, and even holiday gatherings. They’re always delicious and always a big hit!
Mini Cherry Pastries
These delicious treats start with braided puff pastry pinwheels. I top them with an easy homemade cream cheese mixture and homemade cherry filling and bake them until golden brown. Then, I drizzle them with a lemon glaze. That’s the entirety of it from start to finish. It only takes about 45 minutes, plus some cooling time for the pastries before glazing, and I’m all done. Everyone scrambles for these when I set them out, and I never have leftovers.
Why You’ll Love This Mini Cherry Pastry Recipe
- They are super easy to make and are the perfect mini treats ideal for everything from breakfast and brunch to baby showers and after-school snacks.
- Their small size makes them perfect for popping in your mouth and satisfying a sweet tooth craving without any mess or overindulging.
- They are so cute, and the miniature twisted design of the puff pastry is sure to capture everyone’s hearts.
- They are a conversation started when added to any dessert spread and are definitely a crowd-pleasing dessert everyone will enjoy.
Mini Cherry Pastry Ingredients
These little pastries are made with the same simple ingredients as their full-size counterparts, so there’s nothing fancy you have to find.
- Cherries: Cherries are cooked down with sugar and lemon juice to create a thick, sweet, and tart sauce.
- Cream Cheese and Egg Yolk: Cream cheese and egg yolk create a thick, creamy filling that’s sweetened with a little sugar.
- Powdered Sugar and Lemon Juice: Powdered sugar, lemon juice, and a little vanilla make a sweet, tangy lemon glaze for drizzling over the pastries.
- Puffy Pastry: Strips of puff pastry are twisted and wrapped to create mini pastry pinwheels. Use your favorite brand.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
How to Make Mini Cherry Pastries
Making these pastries only takes a few minutes and a few simple steps. Even people with zero cooking experience can make them easily.
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the Cherry Filling
Cook the cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously until the cherries are soft and a thick sauce forms. Set the sauce aside to cool.
Step 3: Make the Pinwheels
Cut each pastry sheet into 16 strips. Then, twist each strip around itself to form a braid. Place one end of a braided strip on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet and wrap it around itself to form a pinwheel. Repeat until all the strips are used.
Step 4: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
Beat the cream cheese in a medium bowl until light and fluffy. Then, add the egg yolk, sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice and beat for 2 more minutes.
Step 5: Top
Add a spoonful of cream cheese mixture to the center of each pastry, followed by a spoonful of the cherry filling.
Step 6: Bake
Whisk the egg and water in a small bowl, then brush it over the pastries. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes until golden brown. Remove the pastries from the oven and cool completely.
Step 7: Make the Drizzle
When the pastries have cooled, mix the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla. Drizzle over the cooled pastries and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Fully soften your cream cheese for easy mixing and the best filling texture.
- Bring your egg yolk to room temperature so it incorporates easily in the filling and creates a silky texture.
- Be sure your puff pastry is pliable but still as cold as possible while you work with it.
- Hold the end of the pastry strip down with your finger while wrapping the pinwheel to keep it in place.
Variations
- You can use frozen cherries if you don’t have fresh.
- Use your favorite berries or diced fruits to create a variety of fruity pastries.
- You can use berry preserves or jams for the centers of these pastries.
- Omit the cream cheese filling for a berry pastry or leave out the berry filling for a cream cheese pastry.
What to Serve with Mini Cherry Cream Cheese Pastries
Serve these pastries with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee or tea for a sweet breakfast or afternoon snack. They also add a great kick of sweetness to a larger, savory breakfast. Of course, pair them with all your favorite desserts for a larger dessert table at parties.
Recipe FAQ
Mini cherry pastries are smaller, bite-sized versions of classic pinwheel cherry pastries made with puff pastry, cream cheese filling, and cherry filling.
Absolutely. Frozen cherries work very well for the filling. In fact, in almost all cases, frozen cherries can be used in place of fresh in anything.
Bing, Rainier, Morello, and Queen Anne cherries are all excellent cherries for homemade cherry filling.
These pastries will stay fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, so technically, you can make them in advance. However, they are tastiest and have the best texture when they’re fresh.
These pastries are freezer-friendly and will last for up to a month in the freezer when stored correctly.
How to Store Bite-Size Cherry Cream Cheese Pastries
Refrigerate these pastries in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and freeze for up to a month in an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
Place the pastries on the counter for an hour to bring them to room temperature and enjoy!
Try This Delicious Mini Cherry Pastry Recipe Today
These little pastry bites are loaded with sweet, tangy cream cheese, gooey cherry filling, and flaky, buttery pastry dough. They’re a bite of bakery Heaven in a tiny package, and they are so good! They’re also easy to make, which is a huge bonus. Make these for breakfast, brunch, or parties, but make them. You’ll be glad you did!
More Delicious Cherry Desserts You’ll Enjoy
This Cherry Coffee Cake is an old-fashioned, easy cherry dessert recipe that is always a hit. Made with cherry pie filling, this coffee cake is perfect for breakfast, brunch or a midday snack.
Mini Cherry Pastries
Ingredients
Cherry Filling
- 1 ½ cups fresh cherries, pitted, cut in half
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoon water
Glaze Drizzle
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 box puff pastry sheets
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Cherry Filling
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Stirring continuously, cook until cherries are soft and a thick sauce forms. If needed, use your spatula or spoon to smash the cherries a bit.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
Pastry
- Cut each pastry sheet into 16 strips.
- Twist the strip until it forms a braided piece.
- Place one end of the long, twisted strip down onto the parchment paper and wrap the dough around it, starting in the center and creating a pinwheel base.
Cream Cheese Mixture
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add egg yolk, sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice. Beat for 2 more minutes.
- Add a spoonful of cream cheese mixture to the center of each pastry followed by a spoonful of the cherry filling.
Egg Wash
- In a small bowl, whisk egg and water together until combined.
- Brush easy pastry with egg wash.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool.
Glaze Drizzle
- Once the pastries have cooled, mix powdered sugar, lemon juice and vanilla together.
- Drizzle each pastry with glaze and enjoy.
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