Pumpkin Cheesecake Danish Braid

This post is sponsored in conjunction with PumpkinWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the PumpkinWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

This pumpkin cheesecake Danish braid only looks harder to make than it is. Inside the flaky pastry is a creamy, warmly-spiced pumpkin cheesecake filling. 

Welcome to Day 2 of #PumpkinWeek! One of my favorite weeks of the year! Did you read about the giveaway prizes and enter to win yet? If not, click on over to Monday's post to get all the info you need.

Today's pumpkin recipe is one of my favorites—a pumpkin cheesecake Danish braid. I made an apple variation on this earlier this year. I use a food processor to help cut down on the time and effort of laminating the butter in the dough. The result is still a tender, flaky pastry.

I love making Danish braids, because the presentation is so beautiful, and it looks like it was a lot of effort to make, but it's really not. Yes, there is yeast involved, but the beauty of instant yeast is that you don't need to proof it in warm water, so there's no worries about water temperature being too hot or too cold.

I don't worry too much about rolling my dough to exactly 11 inches by 14 inches, either. I mean, roughly, yes. But I don't break out a measuring tape. Part of the beauty of a Danish braid is that it should look a little rustic. It's better to err on the side of too wide than not wide enough, because as you can see in the photo above, strips that aren't wide enough won't stay in place during baking.

And let's not forget the filling. The creamy, cinnamon-y, pumpkin-y filling. It smells SO GOOD while it's baking. It's much thicker than actual pumpkin cheesecake batter, so that it doesn't run all over while you're trying to spoon it down the center of the pastry during assembly.

The icing is optional; this would also be delicious with a nice coating of sifted powdered sugar. If you choose to go with the icing, use the measurements as a guideline. If your icing is too thick to drizzle, add more cream or milk by the teaspoonful until you get to the desired consistency. Also, if you like, feel free to substitute maple extract for the vanilla, which would complement the pumpkin flavor nicely.

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More PumpkinWeek Recipes:

Savory:

Cheesy Pumpkin Chorizo Burritos from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
Fall-Flecked Stuffed Grape Leaves from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Pumpkin Gnocchi with Sage Butter Sauce from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
Pumpkin Harvest Stew from Wholistic Woman
Pumpkin Mac N Cheese from Sweet Beginnings
Rosemary Cheddar Pumpkin Rolls from Cookaholic Wife

Baked Goods & Desserts:

Cinnamon Pumpkin French Toast Casserole from Daily Dish Recipes
Easy Pumpkin Spice Pull-Apart Bread with Cinnamon Vanilla Glaze from Family Around the Table
Pumpkin Bundt Cake Recipe from April Golightly
Pumpkin Cheesecake Danish Braid from The Redhead Baker
Pumpkin Cheesecake Milkshake from A Day in the Life on the Farm
Pumpkin Chiffon Pie from House of Nash Eats
Fluffy Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip from The Crumby Kitchen
Pumpkin Dulce de Leche Bread Pudding from The Nifty Foodie
Pumpkin Halwa from Caroline's Cooking
Pumpkin Pasties- Harry Potter Style from Jonesin' For Taste
Pumpkin Tart with Pumpkin Spiced Whipped Cream from Love and Confections

Disclaimer: Thank you PumpkinWeek Sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Cabot Cheese, and Eggland’s Best for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for PumpkinWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The PumpkinWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Three (3) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The PumpkinWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the PumpkinWeek posts or entry.