How many calories are in a cherry-filled danish? Unpacking the Sweet Truth

December 1, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Nutritionix, a standard cherry danish from one bakery can contain around 442 calories, while a cherry cheese danish can exceed 500 calories. This wide variation highlights why it's so important to ask, 'how many calories are in a cherry-filled danish?' and to understand the different factors at play. Your favorite morning pastry's total energy content depends heavily on its size, recipe, and ingredients.

Quick Summary

Calorie counts for a cherry-filled danish vary significantly based on ingredients like pastry dough and filling. Understanding factors such as portion size and recipe helps explain the nutritional differences between homemade and store-bought versions. Options exist for creating lower-calorie alternatives to this classic pastry.

Key Points

Variable Calorie Count: A cherry-filled danish can range from 300 to over 500 calories depending on its size, brand, and recipe.
Primary Calorie Source: The high calorie content primarily comes from the laminated, buttery pastry dough, the sugary filling, and any additional cream cheese or glaze.
Significant Differences: Commercial danishes have different nutritional profiles; an Entenmann's cherry cheese danish slice is around 200 calories, while a Panera cherry pastry is 340 calories.
Ingredient Impact: Reducing fat by using lighter ingredients in the dough or scaling back on the sugary filling are effective strategies to lower the overall calorie count.
Control Your Portions: Opting for a smaller danish or splitting a larger one is a simple and effective way to manage your calorie intake.
Alternative Recipes: Recipes exist for healthier, lower-calorie versions that substitute high-sugar or high-fat ingredients with lighter alternatives.

What Contributes to the Calorie Count?

At its core, a cherry-filled danish is a delicious, multi-layered pastry. The primary components contributing to its caloric density are the laminated pastry dough, the sweet cherry filling, and often, a cream cheese layer and icing.

The Laminated Dough

The base of a danish is a yeast-leavened laminated dough, which is similar to croissant dough. This process involves repeatedly folding a yeast dough with layers of butter, creating a light, flaky texture. This technique is what makes the pastry so decadent but also adds a significant amount of fat and, consequently, calories. The amount and type of fat used—whether it's high-fat butter or more inexpensive fats like hydrogenated oils—can alter the final calorie count.

The Sweet Filling and Icing

Next up is the cherry filling. While cherries themselves are relatively low in calories, the filling is often made with a high concentration of sugar and other thickeners. This adds a substantial amount of carbohydrates and total sugars. Many versions, especially cherry cheese danishes, also include a sweetened cream cheese mixture. This adds more fat and sugar, further increasing the overall calorie load. The final touch is usually a sugary glaze or icing, which is pure sugar and adds even more empty calories.

Calorie Comparison: Store-Bought vs. Homemade

While a homemade danish gives you more control, commercial danishes from bakeries or brands can have surprisingly different nutritional profiles. Let's compare some common options to illustrate the variety.


Feature	Generic Bakery Danish	Panera Bread Cherry Pastry	Entenmann's Cherry Cheese Danish (1/8 size)	Homemade Reduced-Calorie Danish
Calories	~442	340	~200	Varies, but significantly lower
Fat	17g	14g	~9g	Can be reduced with lower-fat ingredients
Carbohydrates	67g	49g	~28g	Can be reduced with sugar substitutes
Serving Size	Not Specified (varies)	1 serving	1/8 of a danish	Varies
Key Takeaway	Higher calories, likely due to larger size and more butter	Moderate calories for a typical individual serving	Lower calories per slice, but a full danish would be higher	Best for calorie control, as you can substitute ingredients

How to Reduce the Calories in Your Cherry Danish

For those who love the taste of a danish but want a healthier option, there are several simple strategies to reduce its caloric impact.

Adjusting the Filling and Icing

Use Fresh Fruit: Instead of relying on sugary, canned pie filling, use fresh cherries and a touch of a natural sweetener like stevia or erythritol to control the sugar content.
Lighter Cream Cheese: If you're including a cream cheese layer, opt for a light or reduced-fat cream cheese to cut down on saturated fat and calories.
Skip the Glaze: The sugary icing is often an unnecessary addition. A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of sweetness without a heavy dose of calories.

Modifying the Dough

Swap Ingredients: Some healthier recipes suggest using low-fat crescent roll dough or a homemade version with a partial butter substitute to cut down on the saturated fat.
Embrace Smaller Portions: Instead of one large danish, bake mini versions to control your serving size. This is one of the easiest ways to enjoy the pastry in moderation.

Portion Control is Key

Even with a traditional recipe, portion control is your best friend. Instead of eating a large danish, consider sharing one or saving half for later. A single, large pastry from a bakery can be a meal's worth of calories, so mindfulness is essential.

Conclusion: Indulgence with Awareness

Ultimately, understanding the calorie content of a cherry-filled danish allows for more informed choices. A typical large bakery version can easily exceed 400 calories due to its rich, laminated dough, sugary filling, and glaze. By recognizing what contributes to this high energy count, you can better appreciate the treat while still being mindful of your dietary goals. Opting for a smaller portion, trying a homemade version with ingredient swaps, or choosing a lighter brand can help you enjoy the delicious flavors of a cherry danish without overindulging. Whether you're a seasoned baker or simply a consumer, being aware of the nutritional details allows you to savor your pastry with complete confidence.

For more information on the history and traditional preparation of Danish pastries, Wikipedia offers an extensive overview of the wienerbrød tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions

A smaller, store-bought cherry danish, such as a single serving from a brand like Entenmann's, is around 200 calories, but this can vary depending on the product and portion size.

The most calories in a danish typically come from the laminated dough, which is made with high amounts of butter, and the sugary, often sweetened cream cheese-based filling.

No, not all cherry danishes are equally high in calories. While traditional recipes are calorie-dense, the count can be significantly reduced with lower-fat ingredients and less sugar. Homemade versions offer the most control.

You can make a healthier cherry danish at home by using reduced-fat cream cheese, fresh cherries instead of pie filling, and cutting down on the sugar in the glaze.

A cherry danish is generally not considered a healthy breakfast option due to its high sugar and fat content. It lacks the fiber and protein needed for a balanced meal.

The calorie count of a danish is similar to other rich bakery items like croissants, but it can be higher due to additional sugar from the filling and icing. A simple slice of white bread, on the other hand, is much lower in fat and sugar, and a traditional Danish breakfast is often much more wholesome.

Yes, adding a cream cheese layer significantly increases the calorie count of a danish, adding both fat and sugar. This is why cherry cheese danishes tend to have more calories than plain cherry versions.