Print

Lemon Puff Pastry Braid with Cream Cheese & Lemon Filling Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 106 reviews

This Lemon Puff Pastry recipe combines flaky, golden puff pastry filled with a creamy blend of cream cheese and tangy lemon pie filling. Finished with a light glaze drizzle, this dessert is perfect for a refreshing and indulgent treat that balances sweet and citrus flavors beautifully.

Ingredients

Scale

Pastry

  • 1 box puff pastry sheets

Filling

  • 22 ounce lemon pie filling (use about half)
  • 8 ounce cream cheese
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Egg Wash

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water

Glaze

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
  2. Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Then add sugar, egg yolk, lemon juice, and vanilla extract; continue beating until fully combined and smooth.
  3. Roll Out Puff Pastry: Gently open the mostly thawed puff pastry sheets and roll them a few times on a lightly floured surface until they are squared and smooth.
  4. Fill Pastry: Spoon half of the cream cheese mixture down the center of each puff pastry sheet, leaving about 1½ inches free from filling at each end. Add roughly three heaping tablespoons of lemon pie filling on top of the cream cheese mixture and gently spread it evenly. Repeat on the other puff pastry sheet.
  5. Cut and Fold Pastry: Make two 1-inch slits at each end of the pastry. Fold the ends over the filling to secure and prevent leakage. Next, trim the top and bottom side pieces at an angle and make additional cuts along each side, ensuring you don’t cut too close to the filling.
  6. Braid Pastry: Starting at one end, fold each cut piece over the filling alternating sides to create a braided look, pressing gently to secure the braid in place.
  7. Prepare Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the whole egg and water to create an egg wash. Use a pastry brush to lightly coat the braided pastries with the egg wash, which will give them a beautiful golden finish when baked.
  8. Bake Pastries: Place the pastries on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until they turn golden brown and puffed.
  9. Make Glaze: While the pastries bake, prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar and milk together in a small bowl until smooth and drizzle-ready.
  10. Glaze and Serve: Once the pastries are baked and slightly cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top before serving for a sweet finishing touch.

Notes

  • Make sure puff pastry is mostly thawed but still cold for easier handling and rolling.
  • Use full-fat cream cheese for the creamiest filling texture.
  • Ensure you don’t overfill the pastry to prevent leaks during baking.
  • The lemon pie filling adds a tangy sweetness, but you can substitute with homemade lemon curd for a fresher taste.
  • Glaze can be adjusted by adding more milk for a thinner consistency or more powdered sugar for a thicker drizzle.
  • Serve pastries warm or at room temperature for best flavor.

Keywords: lemon puff pastry, lemon dessert, cream cheese filling, braided pastry, easy dessert recipe, baked pastry, lemon glaze

Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/lemon-puff-pastry-braid-with-cream-cheese-and-lemon-filling-recipe/