Heavenly Cheese Danishes Recipe: Flaky Pastry Magic at Home

Crispy, flaky cheese danishes invite you to indulge in a morning treat that feels like a sweet culinary adventure.

Pastry magic happens when buttery layers meet creamy cheese fillings.

Delicate dough creates a canvas for rich, smooth cheese centers that melt in your mouth.

Weekend brunches transform with these elegant Danish pastries that look complex but come together surprisingly easily.

Delightful aromas will drift through your kitchen, promising a moment of pure comfort.

Baking these treats becomes a delicious journey you won’t want to miss.

The simple ingredients and straightforward technique make these cheese danishes an irresistible morning escape you can create right at home.

Why Cheese Danishes Are the Flaky Treat You Need

• Rescue Weekday Breakfast: Quickly transform simple ingredients into gourmet pastries without advanced baking skills, making mornings delightful and stress-free.
• Create Impressive Treats: Craft bakery-style danishes that look professionally made, guaranteed to surprise family and guests with minimal culinary expertise required.
• Master Simple Technique: Learn an adaptable pastry method that allows creative variations by swapping fillings or experimenting with different flavor combinations.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Deliver a crowd-favorite dessert that appeals to both kids and adults, perfect for casual gatherings or weekend brunch celebrations.

What Goes Into a Classic Cheese Danish

• Puff Pastry Sheets: A delicate and buttery dough that provides a light and flaky foundation for the danish.

• Cream Cheese: A smooth and rich base that creates a creamy and tangy filling for the pastry.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and balances the tanginess of the cream cheese.
• Egg Yolk: Helps bind the filling and adds richness to the cream cheese mixture.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm and aromatic flavor to enhance the filling.

• Egg, Water: Creates a golden and glossy egg wash to give the pastry a beautiful sheen.
• Powdered Sugar, Milk, Vanilla Extract: Combines to form a sweet and smooth glaze that adds an elegant finish to the danishes.

How to Shape and Bake the Perfect Cheese Danish

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Warm the oven to 400°F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy danish removal.

Step 2: Soften Pastry Sheets

Allow puff pastry to relax at room temperature for half an hour. The sheets should become flexible but remain cool to touch.

Step 3: Whip Cream Cheese Filling

In a mixing bowl, blend softened cream cheese with sugar until silky smooth. The mixture should feel light and creamy.

Step 4: Enhance Filling Flavor

Mix in egg yolk and vanilla extract. Stir until the filling becomes completely uniform and glossy.

Step 5: Shape Pastry Foundations

Gently unfold pastry sheets. Slice each sheet into four equal squares, creating perfect pastry canvases.

Step 6: Add Creamy Centers

Dollop cream cheese mixture right in the middle of each pastry square. Leave a small border around the edges for sealing.

Step 7: Create Elegant Pinwheels

Fold each pastry corner toward the center. Press gently to form beautiful pinwheel shapes that cradle the filling.

Step 8: Prepare Golden Glaze

• Egg
• Water

Brush this mixture over the exposed pastry surfaces to create a stunning golden sheen.

Step 9: Arrange for Baking

Place danishes on the prepared baking sheet. Space them slightly apart to allow room for puffing and expansion.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the danishes turn a rich golden-brown and look wonderfully puffy.

Step 11: Cool and Set

Transfer danishes to a wire rack. Let them rest for 10 minutes to stabilize their delicate structure.

Step 12: Finish with Sweet Drizzle

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Create a smooth, flowing glaze that will cascade beautifully over the warm danishes.

Step 13: Add Final Flourish

Generously drizzle the vanilla glaze over the cooled danishes. Let the sweet topping create a tempting finish that makes these pastries absolutely irresistible.

Easy Tips for Golden, Creamy Cheese Danishes

• Perfect Pastry Thawing: Let puff pastry sheets rest at room temperature for exactly 30 minutes to achieve optimal flexibility without becoming too soft.
• Cream Cheese Smoothness: Whip cream cheese and sugar thoroughly until completely smooth, eliminating any lumps for a silky filling texture.
• Golden Glaze Technique: Brush egg wash generously and evenly across pastry surfaces to create a professional, shiny golden-brown finish during baking.
• Strategic Spacing: Place danishes with slight separation on the baking sheet to allow proper air circulation and even puffing during baking.
• Glaze Like a Pro: Drizzle vanilla glaze when danishes are completely cooled to prevent melting and ensure a picture-perfect decorative topping.

Flavor Combos to Try in Your Cheese Danishes

• Fruity Berry Blast: Replace cream cheese filling with mixed berry preserves and add fresh blueberries or raspberries inside the pastry for a vibrant, tangy flavor profile.
• Chocolate Hazelnut Haven: Swap cream cheese mixture with chocolate-hazelnut spread, sprinkle chopped hazelnuts on top before baking for a rich, decadent variation.
• Savory Herb Cheese Danish: Incorporate crumbled feta, chopped fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary into the cream cheese filling, creating a sophisticated breakfast pastry.
• Caramel Apple Crunch: Mix diced fresh apples with cinnamon into the cream cheese base, drizzle caramel sauce after baking, and sprinkle toasted pecans for extra texture.

What Complements a Warm Cheese Danish Best

• Perfectly Paired Coffee: Rich espresso or medium-roast Colombian coffee cuts through the danish's sweetness, complementing the creamy filling with its robust flavor profile.
• Harmonizing Wine Selection: Crisp Moscato d'Asti or a light Riesling provides a delicate sweetness that enhances the pastry's buttery texture without overwhelming the delicate cream cheese notes.
• Breakfast Beverage Companion: Fresh orange juice offers a bright, citrusy contrast that cleanses the palate between bites of the rich, creamy danish, balancing the pastry's indulgent character.
• Flavor-Boosting Garnish: Sprinkle toasted almond slivers or cinnamon on top to add a subtle crunch and warming spice that elevates the danish's existing flavor complexity.

Storing Cheese Danishes Without Losing Their Magic

• Store cooled danishes in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, keeping them fresh for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual danishes tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months to preserve their delicate texture and flavor.
• Keep freshly baked danishes at room temperature for up to 24 hours, covering loosely with a clean kitchen towel to maintain their crisp pastry.
• Warm refrigerated or frozen danishes in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes, restoring their original flaky and crisp texture.

Cheese Danish FAQs for Home Bakers

• Can I use a different type of cheese for the filling?

Yes, you can substitute cream cheese with mascarpone or ricotta for a unique flavor profile.

• Is it possible to make the danishes ahead of time?

You can prepare the danishes and refrigerate them unbaked for up to 24 hours, or freeze them for up to 2 weeks before baking.

• How do I prevent the pastry from becoming soggy?

Ensure the cream cheese filling is not too wet and avoid overloading the pastry squares. Pat the filling dry if it seems too moist.

• Can I add fruit to the cream cheese filling?

Absolutely! Fold in small amounts of fresh berries or preserves into the cream cheese mixture before filling the pastry for extra flavor.

Cheese Danishes Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 55-58 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Delightful Cheese Danishes blend flaky pastry with creamy, rich filling, promising a sensational breakfast treat. Each golden bite offers a perfect balance of buttery layers and smooth cheese that beckons you to savor every delectable moment.

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Ingredients

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Pastry Dough:

• 2 sheets puff pastry
• 226 g (8 oz) cream cheese
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg (for egg wash)

Filling:

• 226 g (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg yolk

Topping:

• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring a clean, non-stick surface for your danishes.
2. Thaw the puff pastry sheets at room temperature for about 30 minutes, allowing them to become pliable but still cool.
3. In a mixing bowl, whip the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth and creamy, creating a luxurious filling base.
4. Incorporate the egg yolk and vanilla extract into the cream cheese mixture, blending until fully integrated and uniform in texture.
5. Unfold the pastry sheets and cut each into four equal squares, creating a grid of delicate pastry segments.
6. Spoon the cream cheese filling into the center of each pastry square, leaving a border around the edges for sealing.
7. Fold the corners of each pastry square towards the center, gently pressing to create a delicate pinwheel shape that cradles the filling.
8. Whisk the egg with a splash of water to create an egg wash, then carefully brush the exposed pastry surfaces to ensure a golden, glossy finish.
9. Arrange the formed danishes on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart to allow for expansion during baking.
10. Bake for 15-18 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown color and puffy, flaky texture.
11. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes to set the structure.
12. Prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract until smooth and drizzling consistency.
13. Once cooled, generously drizzle the vanilla glaze over the danishes, creating an elegant and sweet finishing touch.

Notes

• Ensure puff pastry is properly thawed but still cool to maintain its delicate, flaky texture during baking.
• Keep cream cheese at room temperature for easier mixing and smoother filling consistency.
• Use cold butter puff pastry for extra crispy and layered results, preventing the pastry from becoming greasy.
• Chill the formed danishes for 10-15 minutes before baking to help maintain their shape and create a more defined pinwheel structure.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute puff pastry with gluten-free puff pastry or phyllo dough alternatives.
• Experiment with different flavor additions like lemon zest, almond extract, or fruit preserves mixed into the cream cheese filling for variety.
• Create savory variations by adding herbs, crumbled bacon, or different cheese types to the filling for a unique twist.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Danish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 270
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg