Easy Cheese Danish with Puff Pastry
Easy homemade cheese danish made with flaky puff pastry and a smooth vanilla cream cheese filling, finished with a simple sweet glaze. This shortcut recipe delivers bakery-style results in a fraction of the time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 danishes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Danish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
8 oz cream cheese, softened
â…“ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp lemon zest (optional)
¼ tsp salt
1 large egg
1 tbsp water
Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tbsp milk
½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
2. Add egg yolk, vanilla, lemon zest if using, and salt; mix until silky.
3. Unfold puff pastry sheets and cut each into 4 equal squares.
4. Score a ½-inch border around each square and prick the center with a fork.
5. Spoon 1–2 tablespoons of filling into the center of each pastry.
6. Whisk egg and water and brush pastry borders with egg wash.
7. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden and puffed.
8. Whisk glaze ingredients until smooth.
9. Drizzle glaze over slightly cooled danishes and serve.
Notes
Keep puff pastry cold for best rise.
Danishes are best enjoyed the day they are made.
Add fruit preserves to the filling for variety.