• Preheat the oven to 400℉/205℃.
• In a small bowl, mix together the soft cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with a spoon or small rubber spatula.
  4 oz full fat cream cheese, 1 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Roll out the dough to ⅛”-¼” thick. Cut the pastry into six desired shapes. Rectangles and squares work well and cookie cutters can be used to make circles.
  1 sheet puff pastry
• Transfer the cutouts to a parchment lined baking sheet. Take care not to touch the sides too much or it will seal the edges and prevent flaky layers.
• Lightly score a ½” border on the inside of the pastry with the tip of a sharp knife, careful not to cut through the dough completely.
• Add a heaping tablespoon of cream cheese to the center of each piece of dough, and spread evenly to the scored border.
• Add the pastry (on the pan) to the fridge while you prepare the fruit. The colder the pastry, the better it bakes.
• Prepare whatever fruit you want to use. If using strawberries, cherries or peaches, hull/pit, then slice - leave blueberries and raspberries whole.
  1½ cups fresh fruit
• Add the fruit to a bowl, then sprinkle on the sugar and cornstarch and carefully mix to combine.
  1 tablespoon granulated sugar, ½ tablespoon cornstarch
• In another small bowl, whisk together an egg and a splash of water.
  1 large egg

Assembly

• Add a ¼ cup of fruit to the top of each area of cream cheese.
• Using a small pastry brush or your finger, rub the egg wash on all exposed sides of the dough. Try not to let the egg wash fall over the edges or it will seal the layers and prevent them from puffing up.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the exposed edges are golden brown and flaky.
• While the danishes bake, heat a few tablespoons of jam in the microwave for a few seconds until loosened.
  jam, jelly, preserves
• Note: Try to pair flavors appropriately (i.e. apricot or peach preserves with peaches, strawberry jam with strawberries, etc).
• When the danishes are done, brush the jam over the fruit. This step is not required, but add a nice sheen and a touch of extra flavor.
• Mix together the powdered sugar, milk (start with 1 tablespoon), and vanilla, then drizzle on top of each danish.
  ½ cup powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons milk or water, 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
• Serve warm or at room temperature.