Easy Cheese Danish with Puff Pastry

Have you ever craved that perfect balance of flaky, buttery pastry with creamy, sweet cheese filling? Cheese Danish with Puff Pastry offers that irresistible combination while being surprisingly simple to make at home. Unlike traditional Danish pastries that require hours of proofing and laminating dough, this easy shortcut version uses store-bought puff pastry as a brilliant time-saver. Perfect for weekend brunch gatherings or a special breakfast treat, these homemade cream cheese danishes will impress your family and friends with minimal effort on your part.

Ingredients List

For the Danish:

• 2 sheets of frozen puff pastry, thawed but still cold
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon water

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Substitution options:

• Replace cream cheese with mascarpone for a richer filling
• Use almond extract instead of vanilla for a different flavor profile
• Add 2 tablespoons of fruit preserves for fruit-flavored danishes

Timing

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

This easy cheese danish recipe saves approximately 2-3 hours compared to traditional homemade danish pastries that require making dough from scratch and multiple folding and chilling cycles.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Filling

Blend softened cream cheese with sugar in a medium bowl until completely smooth. Add egg yolk, vanilla extract, lemon zest (if using), and salt. Beat until thoroughly combined and silky. Refrigerate filling while preparing pastry to maintain optimal consistency.

Step 2: Prepare the Pastry

Unfold thawed puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into 4 equal squares, yielding 8 pastries total. Pro tip: Use a pizza cutter for clean, straight cuts without dragging the dough.

Step 3: Shape and Fill

Using a knife, score a 1/2-inch border around each square (don’t cut all the way through). Prick the center area several times with a fork to prevent excessive rising. Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of filling into the center of each square.

Step 4: Egg Wash and Bake

Whisk together egg and water. Brush the borders with egg wash for that signature golden shine. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until pastry is puffed and golden brown. The filling should be set but slightly jiggly in the center.

Step 5: Glaze and Serve

While the danishes cool slightly, whisk together glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over warm pastries for that classic breakfast danish finish.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (1 danish):

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fat: 22g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Calcium: 3% DV
• Iron: 6% DV

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Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

• Lower-fat version: Use Neufchâtel cheese instead of regular cream cheese (⅓ less fat)
• Reduced sugar: Decrease sugar to ¼ cup and use a monk fruit/erythritol blend in the glaze
• Gluten-free option: Substitute with gluten-free puff pastry sheets
• Dairy-free variation: Use dairy-free cream cheese alternative and plant-based milk in the glaze

Serving Suggestions

Serve these cream cheese danishes warm or at room temperature alongside:

• Fresh berries or sliced fruit for a pop of color and freshness
• A dusting of powdered sugar for elegant presentation
• Strong coffee or espresso to balance the sweetness
• Hot chocolate for a decadent weekend breakfast treat

For brunch gatherings, create a danish bar with various toppings like fruit compotes, chopped nuts, and chocolate drizzle.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overworking the puff pastry dough (causes toughness)
2. Using cream cheese straight from refrigerator (results in lumpy filling)
3. Overfilling the pastries (causes spillover during baking)
4. Skipping the fork pricks (leads to uneven rising)
5. Applying glaze while pastries are too hot (glaze will melt and run off)

Storing Tips for the Recipe

• Room temperature: Best enjoyed same day
• Refrigerator: Store in airtight container for up to 3 days
• Freezer: Freeze unglazed pastries for up to 1 month
• Reheating: Warm in 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore flakiness

For meal prep, prepare and freeze unbaked danishes, then bake directly from frozen (add 5-7 minutes to baking time).

Conclusion

These Cheese Danish with Puff Pastry deliver bakery-quality results with minimal effort, making homemade breakfast pastries accessible to even novice bakers. The contrast between the flaky, buttery layers and the creamy cheese filling creates an irresistible treat that’s perfect for special mornings or weekend indulgences. Try this recipe this weekend and discover just how simple it can be to create impressive homemade danish pastries!

FAQs

• Can I make these cheese danishes ahead of time?
  Yes! You can prepare them the night before and refrigerate unbaked. Allow them to come to room temperature for 15 minutes before baking.
• Why did my puff pastry not rise properly?
  This typically happens when the pastry gets too warm before baking. Keep puff pastry cold until ready to use, and chill assembled danishes for 15 minutes before baking if they’ve warmed up.
• Can I add fruit to these danishes?
  Absolutely! Add a small spoonful of fruit preserves or fresh fruit on top of the cream cheese filling before baking.
• How do I know when my cheese danishes are properly baked?
  They should be golden brown with visibly separated layers, and the filling should be set but still have a slight jiggle in the center.
• Can I use crescent roll dough instead of puff pastry?
  Yes, while the texture will be different (less flaky, more bread-like), crescent roll dough works as a substitute in this easy breakfast pastry recipe.