Easy Cheese Danish

This Easy Cheese Danish is a buttery, flaky pastry filled with a rich and creamy sweet cheese filling. It’s the perfect balance of crisp golden layers and a smooth, slightly tangy center. Whether you’re making these for breakfast, brunch, or a quick dessert, they’re simple to prepare and taste like they came from a bakery.

With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, this Easy Cheese Danish recipe is ideal for home bakers who want a flaky, delicious pastry without the fuss of making dough from scratch. Serve them warm with a drizzle of glaze for a perfectly sweet and satisfying treat!

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Electric mixer or whisk
• Pastry brush

Ingredients Overview

• Puff Pastry: Store-bought puff pastry makes this recipe quick and easy.
• Cream Cheese Filling: A creamy mixture of cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla.
• Egg Wash & Glaze: Adds a golden finish and a sweet drizzle.

Ingredients

For the Danish Pastry

• 1 package (2 sheets) puff pastry, thawed
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for tang)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Egg Wash

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon milk

For the Glaze (Optional)

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Filling

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, egg yolk, lemon juice, and salt until smooth.

Step 2: Cut & Shape the Pastry

1. Roll out puff pastry and cut each sheet into 4 squares (for a total of 8 pieces).
2. Lightly score a smaller square inside each piece, leaving a 1/2-inch border (do not cut all the way through).
3. Poke the center area with a fork to prevent excessive puffing.

Step 3: Assemble the Danish

1. Place 1-2 tablespoons of cream cheese filling in the center of each pastry.
2. Beat egg and milk together, then brush the edges of the pastry with egg wash.
3. Arrange pastries on the lined baking sheet, leaving space between them.

Step 4: Bake & Cool

1. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
2. Let cool slightly before adding glaze.

Step 5: Make the Glaze & Serve

1. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
2. Drizzle over warm danishes and enjoy!

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

18 minutes

Total Time

33 minutes

Nutrition (per pastry, ~8 servings)

• Calories: ~280
• Fat: ~17g
• Carbohydrates: ~28g
• Protein: ~4g

Expert Tips

• For Extra Flakiness: Chill the assembled pastries for 10 minutes before baking.
• Add Fruit: Top with fresh berries or a spoonful of jam before baking.
• Make It Sweeter: Sprinkle the edges with coarse sugar before baking.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the danishes and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

How do I store leftovers?
Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day or refrigerate for 3 days.

Can I freeze these?
Yes! Freeze unbaked danishes for up to 2 months, then bake straight from frozen, adding 5 extra minutes.

Storing & Freezing

• Storing: Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for crispiness.
• Freezing: Freeze unbaked for 2 months. Bake straight from frozen.

Substitutions & Variations

• Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free cream cheese and a plant-based milk wash.
• Chocolate Version: Add chocolate chips inside the filling.
• Nutty Addition: Sprinkle with chopped almonds before baking.

Easy Cheese Danish

This **Easy Cheese Danish** is a buttery, flaky pastry filled with a rich and creamy sweet cheese filling. It’s the perfect balance of crisp golden layers and a smooth, slightly tangy center. Whether you’re making these for breakfast, brunch, or a quick dessert, they’re simple to prepare and taste like they came from a bakery.

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Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• #### **For the Danish Pastry**
• - 1 package 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
• - 8 oz cream cheese softened
• - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• - 1 egg yolk
• - 1 tablespoon lemon juice optional, for tang
• - 1/2 teaspoon salt
• #### **For the Egg Wash**
• - 1 egg
• - 1 tablespoon milk
• #### **For the Glaze Optional**
• - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• - 1-2 tablespoons milk
• - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Equipment

• - Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• - Electric mixer or whisk
• - Pastry brush

Method

 

1. #### **Step 1: Prepare the Filling**
2. Preheat oven to **375°F (190°C)** and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, egg yolk, lemon juice, and salt until smooth.
4. #### **Step 2: Cut & Shape the Pastry**
5. Roll out puff pastry and cut each sheet into **4 squares** (for a total of 8 pieces).
6. Lightly score a smaller square inside each piece, leaving a **1/2-inch border** (do not cut all the way through).
7. Poke the center area with a fork to prevent excessive puffing.
8. #### **Step 3: Assemble the Danish**
9. Place 1-2 tablespoons of cream cheese filling in the center of each pastry.
10. Beat egg and milk together, then brush the edges of the pastry with egg wash.
11. Arrange pastries on the lined baking sheet, leaving space between them.
12. #### **Step 4: Bake & Cool**
13. Bake for **15-18 minutes**, or until golden brown and puffed.
14. Let cool slightly before adding glaze.
15. #### **Step 5: Make the Glaze & Serve**
16. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
17. Drizzle over warm danishes and enjoy!