This Cream Cheese Danish offers a wonderful combination of sweetness, creaminess, and flakiness, making it a perfect partner for your morning coffee or a tempting dessert. It’s not only easy to make, but it also provides a delightful pastry experience.
Recipe Details
There’s something special about enjoying a Cream Cheese Danish alongside a soothing morning coffee. This homemade delight is quick and uncomplicated, far surpassing store-bought options in taste. Its adaptability means you can change the filling to enjoy a variety of flavors. Additionally, they keep well, making them handy for unexpected visits.
- TASTE: The filling provides a perfect mix of sweetness and tang, harmonizing beautifully with the lightly sweet pastry and the sugary glaze on top.
- TEXTURE: With a flaky puff pastry, a rich cream cheese center, and a decadent icing drizzle, these danishes are a true delight.
- TIME: The whole process takes about 40 minutes.
- EASE: While danishes may seem elaborate, they are surprisingly simple to make. This recipe calls for just a few ingredients and uses frozen puff pastry, making it very accessible.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Puff pastry sheets- These ready-made pastry sheets simplify the process of making danishes, though you can certainly opt to create your own dough if you prefer.
- Cream cheese- A key ingredient for the filling, this sweet and tangy component is best when using full-fat cream cheese for maximum flavor.
- Granulated sugar- This ingredient adds a hint of sweetness to the filling.
- Eggs- The egg yolk enhances the creaminess of the filling, while the remaining egg is used for an egg wash which gives a beautiful glossy finish.
- Vanilla extract- This ingredient provides a subtle vanilla flavor that enhances the filling.
- Lemon zest- Adding a touch of citrusy brightness, this ingredient elevates the cream cheese.
- Powdered sugar- This fine sugar creates a smooth, thick icing to drizzle on top of the pastries.
- Heavy cream- This ingredient is combined with powdered sugar to form the base for the icing. Whole milk can be used as an alternative.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Add fruit to the filling- Enhance your danish with raspberry preserves, strawberry jam, peach preserves, lime zest and juice, or fresh blueberries.
- Make it sweet and savory- For a mouthwatering twist, mix crispy bacon bits and pure maple syrup into the cream cheese filling.
- Add chocolate- Transform this treat into a chocolate lover’s dream by adding chocolate chips, melted chocolate, or Nutella.
- Add nuts- Bolster the flavor with slivers of almonds,
- or chopped pecans or walnuts for an added crunch.
- Prepare the cream cheese mixture. In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Utilize an electric mixer on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth.
- Roll out the puff pastry. On a floured surface, flatten each sheet of thawed puff pastry to dimensions of 9×11 inches.
- Cut each sheet. With kitchen shears, trim the top two corners of each sheet (set these aside), and then make 9-10 cuts into each side, stopping about one-third of the way from the edge. Remove the two remaining flaps at the bottom (also save these).
- Add filling to the danish. Spoon the filling into the center of the pastries evenly.
- Braid the cheese danish. Begin at the top by alternating the strips from left to right. When you reach the last two strips, fold the bottom flap up, layering those final two strips on top. Carefully transfer the danishes to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Make the egg wash. In a small bowl, combine the egg with 1 teaspoon of water, then brush the mixture over the tops of the danishes using a pastry brush.
- Bake. Place the danishes in the oven and bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until they achieve a golden brown color. Let them cool to room temperature after baking.
- Make the icing. Combine powdered sugar with heavy cream to create an icing suitable for drizzling over the cooled danishes. These pastries can be enjoyed on their own or alongside other delectable desserts like Napoleon cake topped with vanilla custard and Chantilly cream.
- Completely Thaw the Puff Pastry: Ensure that the puff pastry is fully defrosted to facilitate easy shaping and folding. Partial freezing may lead to cracking.
- Plan the Strips Before Cutting: Make initial indents on the puff pastry to achieve consistent strip width and spacing.
- Utilize Kitchen Shears for Cutting: Opt for kitchen shears for clean edges on the pastry strips, avoiding jagged lines.
- Don’t Skip the Egg Wash: An egg wash on the tops of the danishes before baking is vital for achieving a golden-brown appearance and a shiny finish.
- Preserve the Trimmed Puff Pastry Scraps: Instead of discarding them, bake the scraps on the same tray as the cheese danishes. Once cooled, spread Nutella or jam on them for a delightful snack!
- Muffins: Enjoy alongside Blueberry Muffins (VIDEO), Cinnamon Apple Muffins (VIDEO), or Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins.
- Proteins: Complement this sweet treat with Easy Poached Eggs with Caramelized Onions, Crispy Air Fryer Bacon, Shakshuka, or Savory Crepes filled with Chicken and Mushrooms.
- Pancakes/Waffles: Serve the Cream Cheese Danishes with Buttery Belgian Liege Waffles, Cottage Cheese Pancakes, and Blueberry Breakfast Crepes.
- Other Pastries: Indulge in complementary delights like Cherry Danish, Peach Galette, the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls (VIDEO), and Apricot Walnut Rugelach (VIDEO).
Set aside that mixture and lightly flour your work surface. Unfold the 1 lb package of thawed puff pastry, rolling each sheet lengthwise by about 2 inches until they approximately measure 9×11 inches.
1. Trim the top two corners of the puff pastry, ensuring you set them aside for later use. These will be baked alongside the danish and can be enjoyed later with your favorite jam or Nutella.
2. With kitchen shears, carefully create slits in the dough on both sides, aiming for about 9-10 cuts on each side. Take care not to extend your cuts beyond the fold where the puff pastry has been divided into thirds.
3. When you reach the final strip at the bottom, you will have two flaps left; cut these off and save them to bake with the corner scraps.
4. Evenly spread your cream cheese filling across both danishes, making sure the filling remains within the central third of the puff pastry.
5. Fold down the top flap and start crossing the strips for a braided design. Alternate your movements from right to left until only the last two strips are left. Finally, lift the bottom flap up and cross the remaining two strips over to finish the braid.
6. Gently transfer the prepared danishes onto a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper.
7. To make the egg wash, whisk together 1 egg with 1 teaspoon of water. Once combined, brush the mixture over the tops of the danishes using a pastry brush.
8. Bake the danishes in the preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until they turn a lovely golden brown. After baking, allow the cheese danishes to cool to room temperature.
9. In a separate small bowl, combine 1/2 cup of powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Once the pastries have cooled down to near room temperature, drizzle the glaze over the top.
**Storage Duration:**
Cheese danishes will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. If stored wrapped at room temperature, they are best consumed within 1-2 days.**Can I freeze it for later use?**
Absolutely, these danishes can be frozen. After allowing them to cool completely, wrap them in foil or plastic wrap and place them in a ziplock freezer bag. They can be kept in the freezer for roughly 2 months.**Nutritional Information:**
– **Calories:** 463 kcal
– **Carbohydrates:** 40 g
– **Protein:** 6 g
– **Fat:** 31 g
– **Saturated Fat:** 11 g
– **Cholesterol:** 31 mg
– **Sodium:** 233 mg
– **Potassium:** 74 mg
– **Fiber:** 1 g
– **Sugar:** 15 g
– **Vitamin A:** 381 IU
– **Calcium:** 33 mg
– **Iron:** 2 mg
How to Create Cream Cheese Danish
Pro Tip: Be careful to use only the yellow part of the lemon peel, as the white pith can lend a bitter flavor.
Helpful Hints for the Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is recommended to refrigerate your cream cheese danish due to the dairy content which could spoil if kept at room temperature. While they can be stored at room temperature for one day if wrapped, refrigeration helps keep them fresh.
A cheese danish can be enjoyed warm, cold, or at room temperature, as it is delicious at any of these temperatures. If you prefer it warm, savor one fresh from the oven or heat it in the microwave for about 20 seconds.
Serving Suggestions
This delightful homemade Cream Cheese Danish is perfect for breakfast or as a dessert option. Pair it with muffins, pancakes, eggs, bacon, and more.
Prepare This Recipe in Advance
Make Ahead: Remove the puff pastry from the freezer and place it in the fridge beforehand. You can also prepare the filling and keep it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble and bake.
Storing: Keep the Cream Cheese Danishes stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, either tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or in an airtight container.
Freezing: Once the danishes are completely cooled, wrap each one in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, then place them in a ziplock freezer bag. They will remain good in the freezer for about 2 months.
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Complete Recipe Instructions
