Lemon-Blueberry Breakfast Pastry

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This classic breakfast pastry offers sweet-tart blueberries and cream cheese in every bite—perfect for a leisurely weekend breakfast or as a special addition to a celebratory brunch. If available, sweet and aromatic Meyer lemons add an extra layer of flavor. Be sure to keep the puff pastry chilled as much as possible—it helps preserve the layers and results in a flakier crust.

a recipe photo of the Blueberry & Lemon Breakfast Pastry
Credit:

Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 35 mins
Servings:
6
Nutrition Profile:
the ingredients to make the Blueberry & Lemon Breakfast Pastry

Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 1 cup fresh blueberries

  • 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest, divided

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, divided

  • 2 pinches salt, divided

  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

  • All-purpose flour, for work surface

  • 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened

  • 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar plus 1 tablespoon, divided

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 tablespoon water

  • 2 teaspoons whole milk

Directions

  1. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine blueberries, cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, 2 teaspoons lemon juice and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; cook, stirring constantly, until the blueberries burst and the mixture is thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat; set aside, uncovered, at room temperature to cool slightly.

    a photo of the cooked blueberries

    Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

  2. Unfold puff pastry and roll out on a lightly floured work surface into a 13-by-10-inch rectangle. Cut the rectangle in half lengthwise; place the halves 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Place in the freezer, uncovered, to chill until ready to use.

  3. Stir cream cheese, 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest and the remaining 1 teaspoon lemon juice and pinch of salt in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the mixture in a separate small bowl for icing. Remove the puff pastry from the freezer; spread the remaining cream cheese mixture in a 2-inch-wide strip lengthwise down the middle of 1 of the pastry pieces, leaving a 3/4-inch border along the edges.

    a photo of the puff pastry with the cream cheese mixture being spread on it

    Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

  4. Beat egg and water together in a small bowl. Spoon the blueberry mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer on the pastry; brush the border with egg mixture. Place the remaining pastry piece over the blueberry- and cream cheese-topped piece, pressing the edges firmly to seal. Place in the freezer, uncovered, to chill until firm, about 20 minutes.

  5. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F.

  6. Brush the top of the chilled pastry lightly with the remaining egg mixture (discard any additional remaining egg mixture). Using a very sharp knife, cut 8 small (about 1/2-inch) slits in the top. Bake until golden brown and evenly puffed, 40 to 45 minutes, rotating baking sheet front to back once. Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack. Use a spatula to press gently yet firmly on the pastry to flatten slightly. Let cool for 10 minutes.

    a photo of the puff pastry placed over the bottom piece

    Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

  7. Whisk milk and the remaining 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar into the reserved 2 tablespoons cream cheese mixture until smooth. Drizzle over the warm pastry and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest. Serve warm.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are blueberries good for you?

    As their deep bluish-purple hue would suggest, blueberries are loaded with vitamins and minerals and more antioxidants than any other fruit. All this goodness adds up to tiny packages that may lower inflammation and your risk of chronic disease and infections, and support healthy blood sugar, skin, digestion, vision, blood pressure, cholesterol and cognition.

  • Is this breakfast pastry healthy?

    Besides all the health benefits of blueberries (see above), the puff pastry adds some energy-producing carbs, and the cream cheese has just enough fat to help slow down the pastry’s digestion and help keep blood sugar stable. You can stabilize blood sugar even more—and round out your breakfast—by serving this pastry with some form of eggs and veggies—like our Muffin Tin Spinach & Mushroom Mini Quiches or “Egg in a Hole” Peppers with Avocado Salsa.

  • Can I make this recipe ahead?

    Yes, you can. However, we suggest baking the pastry (through Step 6) and cooling completely, then gently placing it in a zip-top bag and refrigerating for up to three days. Then, continue with Step 7 and make the sweet topping when you’re ready to serve the pastry. Warm the pastry in a preheated 350°F oven or toaster oven until warm, then drizzle the topping over the pastry.

  • Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh?

    Absolutely. When using frozen berries for baked goods, it's typically best to thaw them before adding them to a recipe, especially if the other ingredients can't take added moisture. There are several ways to thaw frozen berries. However, it's best to thaw the berries slowly in a covered bowl in the fridge because the flavor and texture will be much better. Other options include adding frozen berries to room-temperature water or setting them in a colander above a bowl. For all methods, the intent is to thaw the berries, then gently dry them, removing as much moisture as possible while keeping them intact.

  • What can I make with leftover cream cheese?

    There are so many easy and delicious ways to use cream cheese. You can use it in dips, in roll-ups or veggie sandwiches, add it to omelets, make a five-minute cake frosting and so much more.

Recipe developed by Catherine Jessee

EatingWell.com, May 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

253 Calories
14g Fat
26g Carbs
5g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size 1 slice
Calories 253
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 26g 10%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 10g
Added Sugars 7g 14%
Protein 5g 11%
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 45mg 15%
Vitamin A 60µg
Vitamin C 3mg 4%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 0mg 3%
Folate 31µg
Vitamin K 9µg
Sodium 181mg 8%
Calcium 34mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%
Magnesium 10mg 2%
Potassium 85mg 2%
Zinc 0mg 4%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.