Starbucks Copycat Sugar Plum Cheese Danish

Imagine enjoying the rich, creamy, and fruity flavours of your favourite Starbucks holiday pastry, freshly baked in your own kitchen. This copycat sugar plum cheese danish uses store-bought puff pastry for a shortcut to that signature, flaky, buttery texture . It’s an easy and rewarding recipe that’s perfect for a festive breakfast, a special brunch, or a delightful afternoon treat with a cup of coffee . The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. You get a crisp, golden puff pastry base cradling a smooth sweet cream cheese filling and topped with a dollop of spiced plum jam, all finished with a dusting of icing sugar . For the best results, use full-fat cream cheese to ensure the filling holds its shape during baking . ## How to Make Copycat Sugar Plum Cheese Danishes

Follow these simple steps for perfectly golden, puffed-up pastries.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This lower temperature is preferred for these danishes to ensure the pastry bakes through without burning the edges .
2. Prepare the fillings. In a small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, combine the plum jam with the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
3. Shape the pastry. Lightly dust your work surface with flour. Gently roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet just enough to smooth out any creases . Cut the sheet into 9 equal squares .
4. Assemble the danishes. Gently press each pastry square into the wells of a standard 12-cup muffin tin, leaving the corners sticking out . This helps create a cup shape that holds the filling and bakes into a beautiful, open-faced pastry.
   • Tip: You can also place the squares on a lined baking sheet, but using a muffin tin helps them maintain their shape .
5. Fill the pastries. Divide the cream cheese mixture evenly among the pastry cups, spreading it slightly. Top each with a small dollop of the spiced plum jam.
6. Apply egg wash. Brush the exposed edges of the puff pastry with the beaten egg wash . This will give them a gorgeous, golden-brown colour as they bake.
7. Bake. Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up, flaky, and golden brown around the edges .
8. Cool and serve. Let the danishes cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Dust generously with powdered sugar just before serving .

4 Tips for the Best Puff Pastry Danishes

Keep the pastry cold. The golden rule of puff pastry is to keep it cold. If the dough becomes warm and sticky while you’re working, it will be harder to shape and won’t puff up as well in the oven. Pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes if needed .

Use full-fat cream cheese. For the creamiest, most stable filling, use full-fat cream cheese. Low-fat versions can be watery and may not hold their shape during baking .

Don’t overfill. While it’s tempting to pile on the filling, too much can spill over the edges of the pastry during baking. Stick to the recommended amounts for a neat and tidy result .

Find the right jam. If you have trouble finding plum jam in your local store, dark cherry or mixed berry jam can be used as a good substitute .

3 Delicious Variations to Try

Fruity Twist. If you can’t find sugar plums or want a different flavour, try this recipe with raspberry preserves, blueberry jam, or even a classic cherry pie filling .

Sweet Glaze. For an extra layer of sweetness, drizzle the finished pastries with a simple icing made from 1 cup of powdered sugar and 1-2 tablespoons of milk .

Make it Your Own. This recipe is easily adaptable for the holidays. You can also try swapping the plum jam with a homemade spiced apple or pear filling for a warm, seasonal twist.

How to Store and Reheat

These danishes are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are baked. However, if you have leftovers, let them cool completely and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days .

To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for a few minutes to crisp the pastry back up. You can also warm them briefly in the microwave, though this will make the pastry soft .

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these ahead of time?
You can prepare the pastries up to the point of baking, cover them, and refrigerate for a few hours. Bake them fresh just before you’re ready to serve. The unbaked pastries can also be frozen for longer storage.

Why did my pastries become soggy?
A soggy bottom is usually caused by the filling being too wet or not baking the pastries long enough. Make sure your oven is properly preheated and bake until the pastry is a deep golden brown.

Can I use a different pastry?
This recipe works best with puff pastry because of its signature flaky, layered texture. Other pastries like crescent roll dough will give a different result .