This easy vegan jam danish recipe is an easy, sweet treat that comes together in just 20 minutes! Layered with puff pastry, luscious vegan cream cheese filling, and fruit jam - all topped with a beautiful glaze. They're the perfect tea-time snack or dessert, and not to mention they look very impressive to look at. Between you and me, you can fool anyone to think that you spent hours in the kitchen making this beautiful treat!
This vegan jam danish is probably one of the easiest recipes you'll ever make. Almost all the ingredients are easily accessible and doesn't require you to make a homemade puff pastry dough. The secret is using frozen puff pastry dough from the grocery store! It significantly cuts down the process to minutes, so you can have freshly baked danishes at home.
Ingredient Notes
You only need a few simple ingredients to make these easy vegan jam danishes!
- Puff Pastry - I always use frozen puff pastry for these danishes! The brand I use is Pepperidge Farm Pastry Sheets, and the best part, they are accidentally vegan!
- Vegan Cream Cheese - You will need a good vegan cream cheese for this recipe, something that won't completely melt off when you bake. Kite Hill is my favorite to use for any baking recipe I do!
- Powdered sugar - Not only does it adds sweetness to the filling, but it also helps stabilize its form better. And, you'll be using it to make the glaze!
- Lemon Zest - Lemon zest brings brightness to the filling, do not skip this!
- Fruit Jam - Using any kind of fruit jam is part of what makes this recipe easy! Most people already have some kind of jam in their fridge, so why not use it?
Top Tips for Making Easy Vegan Jam Danish
- Soften the vegan cream cheese! Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before your start making your filling. This will guarantee a smooth filling without any clumps.
- Low on time? Prep ahead. You can prep everything a day ahead except the glaze as it will harden. Thaw and cut the pastries and keep them covered in the fridge. You can also have the vegan cream cheese filling made as well, stored in an airtight container. I would not fill the pastries until you are ready to bake.
- Use any jam you like! This recipe is meant to be simple, so use whatever jam/preserves you have on hand.
How to Make Vegan Jam Danishes
Step 1: In a mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the softened vegan cream cheese, lemon zest, powdered sugar, agave, salt, and vanilla bean paste until smooth.
Step 2: Gently unfold the puff pastry and cut into 9 squares with a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Gently score a smaller square inside of each pastry, about ¼-inch from the center. Then with a fork, dock the inside of the scored area.
Step 3: Add a tablespoon or more of the vegan cream cheese mixture inside the scored area of each square of pastry. Top with teaspoon of jam over top.
Step 4: Make the vegan egg wash by whisking together the non-dairy milk and agave in a small bowl. Brush the "egg" wash on the edges of each rectangle using a pastry brush.
Step 5: Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown. Let it cool on the pan for 5-10 minutes.
Step 6: Make the icing by mixing powdered sugar, non-dairy milk, and almond extract. Then drizzle onto the jam danishes, and top with some slivered almonds.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long do these easy vegan jam danishes last?
These danishes are best served the same day but will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Whenever you're ready, you can microwave it for a few seconds or pop it in the oven at 350 for a few minutes. - Can I substitute a different kind of jam/preserves?
Yes! You can use any type of fruit jam/preserve! - Can this be made gluten-free?
Unfortunately, I have yet to find a gluten-free and vegan frozen puff pastry. - Can I use any vegan cream cheese? Not all vegan cream cheeses are made the same. Some brands formulate their products that work well in baking and some don't. My favorite brand to use is Kite Hill. I've used it in many baked goods and it always turns out well.
If you enjoyed making this easy vegan jam danish recipe, check these out:
If you tried this recipe let me know in the comments below! Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @flouredframe for more delicious recipes. While you’re at it, don’t forget to tag me whenever you recreate my recipes! Happy baking!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
📖 Recipe
Easy Vegan Jam Danish
Equipment
- Food scale highly recommended
- Mixing bowls
- Parchment Paper or silpat mat
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Sharp knife or pizza cutter
- Spoon
- Whisk
- Wire cooling rack
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Filling
- ½ cup Vegan plain cream cheese (softened at room temp, I used Kite Hill)
- 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
- ⅓ cup Powdered sugar (sifted)
- 2 tablespoons Agave
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla bean paste
Pastry
- 1 sheet Puff pastry (I used Pepperidge Farm)
- Any jam/preserves you’d like (I used strawberry)
Vegan “Egg” Wash
- 1 tablespoon Agave
- 1 tablespoon Non-dairy milk (I used soy)
Glaze
- ⅓ cup Powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons Non-dairy milk (I used soy)
- ⅛ teaspoon Almond extract (sub for vanilla extract)
- Handful of toasted sliced almonds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Prep
- Thaw one sheet of pre-made puff pastry according to the package instructions. And preheat the oven to 400°F, and line your baking sheet with parchment paper then set aside.
Make the vegan cream cheese filling
- In a mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the softened vegan cream cheese, lemon zest, powdered sugar, agave, salt, and vanilla bean paste until smooth.
Prep the vegan “egg wash”
- In a small bowl, mix together the non-dairy milk and agave in a small bowl. Set aside until ready to use.
Assemble
- When your defrosted puff pastry is ready, gently unfold the puff pastry over a lightly floured surface and cut it into 9 squares with a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Gently score a smaller square inside of each pastry, about ¼-inch from the center. Then with a fork, dock the inside of the scored area.
- Add a tablespoon or more of the vegan cream cheese mixture inside the scored area of each square of pastry. Top with teaspoon of jam over top. Brush the "egg" wash on the edges of each rectangle using a pastry brush.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until puffed and golden. Allow them to cool completely before adding the glaze.
Toppings
- Make the icing by mixing powdered sugar, non-dairy milk, and almond extract. Then drizzle onto the jam danishes, and top with some slivered almonds. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Low on time? Prep ahead. You can prep everything a day ahead except the glaze as it will harden. Thaw and cut the pastries and keep them covered in the fridge. You can also have the vegan cream cheese filling made as well, stored in an airtight container. I would not fill the pastries until you are ready to bake.
- Can I use any vegan cream cheese? Not all vegan cream cheeses are made the same. Some brands formulate their products that work well in baking and some don't. My favorite brand to use is Kite Hill. I've used it in many baked goods and it always turns out well. But you’ll need to do some testing to find out what will work best. A brand that I’ve tried that doesn’t work for baking is VioLife.
- Use any jam you like! This recipe is meant to be simple, so use whatever jam/preserves you have on hand.
- How long do these vegan jam danishes last? These danishes are best served the same day but will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Whenever you're ready, you can microwave it for a few seconds or pop it in the oven at 350 for a few minutes.
- Can this be made gluten-free? Unfortunately, I have yet to find a gluten-free and vegan frozen puff pastry.
Leave a Reply