What would you call layers upon layers of puff pastry which encase layers and layers of chocolate, cream cheese, and cherries? Well, why not ... Chocolate Cherry Pastry Tower? Works for me! LOL
This elegant pastry cream tower may look difficult (and maybe a little intimidating to make), but let me assure you that it could not be easier thanks to the help of store-bought puff pastry.
For other delicious recipes featuring store-bought puff pastry, I invite you to also visit the following: Cherry Cheesecake Puff Pastry Strudel, Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers, Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Appetizer Cups, and Upside Down Bratwurst and Cheese Puff Pastry Appetizers.
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Table of Contents Found Here
- The ingredient list to make a puff pastry chocolate cherry tower:
- Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- Can this pastry tower be made in advance?
- How this recipe came to be:
- What I wrote about this recipe back in 2014:
- The step-by-step photo process for making a chocolate cherry pastry tower:
- Additional pastry and specialty desserts:
- Printable Recipe Card
- Please comment if you've made this recipe.
The ingredient list to make a puff pastry chocolate cherry tower:
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.
- 1 package puff pastry sheets (found in the freezer section)
- 2 (8 ounces) cream cheese (I used Neufchatel)
- 1 jar marshmallow fluff
- almond extract (vanilla may be substituted)
- frozen cherries, thawed
- cocoa powder
- confectioners sugar
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- baking sheet
- parchment paper
- large bowls
- spatulas
- hand blender or stand mixer
- paring knife
- offset spatula
- measuring cups and spoons
- confectioners sugar shaker
- serrated knife (for serving)
Can this pastry tower be made in advance?
I wouldn't suggest making and assembling too far in advance for fear the puff pastry will get soggy.
That said, you can easily prepare the chocolate and cherry cream cheese fluff and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 days if needed.
How this recipe came to be:
I came upon this idea when I remembered a fruit dip I'd acquired years and years ago from a friend that was a blend of cream cheese and marshmallow spread.
I had planned on making and posting that recipe, but as typically happens, I got a little carried away and wound up making this Chocolate Cherry Cream Pastry Tower instead.
Funny how that happens sometimes.
This recipe was originally shared in 2014. This post has been updated with additional information, including a recipe card complete with nutritional information, but the recipe itself has remained unchanged.
What I wrote about this recipe back in 2014:
I thought I'd show you my recipe writing process if you've ever been curious how I get from the concept to the completed dish (shown below).
It usually isn't pretty, and there are always a lot of my scribbles involved, but somehow it gets from the paper to the photoshoot, and then to the computer, and then ultimately the post. With hopes that you'll like what you see, and make for yourself at home.
The step-by-step photo process for making a chocolate cherry pastry tower:
- Preheat the oven to 375-degrees.
- Thaw the puff pastry sheets and carefully unfold them.
- Use a paring knife to cut the two pastry sheets into 3 rectangles each, down the fold lines when unfolded.
- Use the tines of a fork to poke holes in all but one pastry piece.
- Bake in a preheated oven until puffed and golden (approximately 20 minutes), and cool completely.
- *Note - The pastry piece that did not receive the fork pokes will be nicely puffed. The others will be much flatter, which is what you're looking for. If they're still too puffed (for stacking purposes) use the back of a fork to press on the pastry and flatten them while they're still hot. The one that is puffed high will be the top piece of your tower.
- Meanwhile, blend together the cream cheese and marshmallow fluff until creamy.
- Add the thawed and drained cherries to the fluff mixture and gently blend to combine.
- Remove slightly less than half of the cream mixture to a second bowl.
- Add cocoa powder to the original bowl of the cherry cream mixture and blend to thoroughly combine.
- Place one of the flat pieces of pastry onto a serving platter and alternately layer chocolate cream cheese, pastry, cherry cream cheese, pastry, and so on until there are two layers of each flavor cream cheese, and ending with the top puff pastry that wasn't docked.
- Sprinkle the top of the pastry with a light dusting of confectioners sugar, and cocoa powder to finish.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Additional pastry and specialty desserts:
*Chocolate Covered Strawberry Filled Eclairs (shown below)
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We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Email forwarding service for saving information.
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Filled Eclairs may look intimidating to make, but trust me, they’re not! As long as you follow a few simple steps, you’ll be noshing on one (maybe two) of these beauties in no time.
*Puff Pastry Apple Squares with Caramel Drizzle (shown below)
When it’s time for dessert, and you want to impress but not spend hours in the kitchen preparing, then these rustic Puff Pastry Apple Squares are just what the dessert doctor ordered.
*Orange Curd Whipped Cream Cream Puffs (shown below)
If you’re looking for a delicious pastry that’s not too difficult to make but impressive to serve, these Cream Puffs with Orange Curd Whipped Cream Filling are just the ticket. A word to the wise, however, you may want to make a double batch because they’ll be gobbled up quickly.
*Chocolate Cherry Pastry Tower (shown below) THIS IS THE PLACE!!
When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did.
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Printable Recipe Card
Chocolate Cherry Pastry Tower
Equipment
- stand mixer optional
- hand mixer optional
- kitchen timer optional
- pizza wheel optional
Ingredients
- 1 package (two tri-folded sheets) puff pastry dough, thawed
- 2 packages (8 ounces each package) cream cheese or Neufchatel, softened
- 1 jar (7.5 ounces) marshmallow fluff
- 1 teaspoon almond extract vanilla may be substituted
- 1 bag (16 ounces) frozen, unsweetened cherries thawed and drained
- 1½ tablespoons cocoa powder plus additional for garnish
- 2 teaspoons confectioners sugar for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)
- Unwrap the thawed puff pastry and use a knife or pizza cutter to cut each piece of dough into thirds along the fold lines. Place the cut pastry onto 2 parchment-lined baking sheets leaving space in between.
- Use the tines of a fork to poke holes in all but one pastry piece.
- Bake the pastry in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes or until they're nicely browned (only one should be extra puffy). *Note - The pastry piece that did not receive the fork pokes will be nicely puffed. The others will be much flatter, which is what you're looking for. If they're still too puffed (for stacking purposes) use the back of a fork to press the baked pastry to flatten them slightly while they're still hot. The one that is puffed high will be the top piece of your tower.
- Cool completely while you make the chocolate and cherry cream cheese filling.
- In a large bowl with a hand mixer (or, I used my stand mixer with the paddle attachment), cream together the cream cheese, marshmallow fluff, almond extract, and the drained cherries until smooth and creamy.
- Remove slightly less than half of the cream mixture to a second bowl.
- Add the cocoa powder to the original bowl of the cherry cream mixture and blend to combine thoroughly.
- Place one of the flat pieces of pastry onto a serving platter.
- Starting with the chocolate cream, spread approximately ½ cup of the mixture along the entire piece of puff pastry, but not over the edge.
- Place another flat piece of pastry on top of the chocolate cherry cream and spread approximately ½ cup of the plain cherry cream filling mixture along the entire piece of puff pastry, being careful not to spread it over the edge.
- Continue alternating with pastry, chocolate, and plain cherry cream filling mixture and finally top with the puffed piece of pastry.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of cocoa powder and powdered sugar.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Carefully slice using a serrated knife and a sawing motion without too much pressure.
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you will enjoy making, serving, and of course eating this deliciously easy yet showstopping puff pastry chocolate and cherry cream cheese tower as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
All of the recipes you'll find here on my website are in loving memory of my son, Greg, who left this earth far too soon and will be forever in our hearts.
dina says
it looks delightful!
Paula says
I'm all in for a piece of this!
Sherri Jo says
So pretty and I'm sure it was delicious too! Pinning.