Description
Homemade Cheese Danish features flaky, buttery puff pastry filled with a smooth, tangy cream cheese mixture, topped with a sweet glaze. Easy to customize and perfect for any occasion, this Danish recipe delivers bakery-quality pastries you can enjoy fresh from your own kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (thawed according to package instructions)
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lemon zest (freshly grated)
- 1 large egg (divided, 1 for filling, 1 for egg wash)
Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk or cream
Instructions
- Thaw and Prepare Puff Pastry: Remove the frozen puff pastry from the freezer and thaw it at room temperature for about 30 minutes until soft enough to handle but not sticky.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and one egg. Whip until smooth and creamy, ensuring the filling is sweet and tangy.
- Cut and Shape the Pastry: On a floured surface, unfold the puff pastry and cut it into 3 to 4-inch squares. Place a generous spoonful of the cream cheese filling in the center of each square. Fold the corners or edges inward to form a Danish shape, pinching gently to seal.
- Brush with Egg Wash: Beat the remaining egg and brush it lightly over the formed pastries to create a shiny, golden crust when baked.
- Bake Until Golden: Place the danishes on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced apart. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15 to 20 minutes until puffed and golden brown. The filling should be set but still soft.
- Prepare and Drizzle Glaze: While the danishes cool slightly, mix powdered sugar with milk or cream until smooth. Drizzle the glaze generously over each Danish for a sweet, glossy finish.
Notes
- Chill cream cheese and dough before assembling to maintain flakiness.
- Don’t overfill the pastries to prevent leakage during baking.
- Use fresh lemon zest for vibrant flavor.
- Brush egg wash evenly for uniform browning.
- Allow pastries to cool slightly before glazing to keep the glaze from melting off.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Danish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pastry
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: cheese Danish, puff pastry, cream cheese filling, homemade pastry, brunch recipe, sweet pastry
