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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring a clean, non-stick surface for your danishes.
- Thaw the puff pastry sheets at room temperature for about 30 minutes, allowing them to become pliable but still cool.
- In a mixing bowl, whip the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth and creamy, creating a luxurious filling base.
- Incorporate the egg yolk and vanilla extract into the cream cheese mixture, blending until fully integrated and uniform in texture.
- Unfold the pastry sheets and cut each into four equal squares, creating a grid of delicate pastry segments.
- Spoon the cream cheese filling into the center of each pastry square, leaving a border around the edges for sealing.
- Fold the corners of each pastry square towards the center, gently pressing to create a delicate pinwheel shape that cradles the filling.
- 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.
- Arrange the formed danishes on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart to allow for expansion during baking.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown color and puffy, flaky texture.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes to set the structure.
- Prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract until smooth and drizzling consistency.
- 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