This Cream Cheese Danish delivers a delightful blend of sweetness, creaminess, and flakiness, making it an ideal companion for your morning coffee or a delectable dessert. It is not just simple to prepare, but also offers a delightful pastry experience.
Recipe Details
There’s nothing quite like enjoying a Cream Cheese Danish alongside a peaceful morning coffee. This homemade treat is both quick and straightforward and is far more delectable than anything you’d find in a store. Its versatility allows you to change up the filling, ensuring you can enjoy endless variations. Plus, they store well, making it easy to have them ready for unexpected guests.
- TASTE: The filling strikes a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, beautifully complementing the gently sweet pastry and the sugary icing on top.
- TEXTURE: With flaky puff pastry, a smooth cream cheese center, and a rich drizzle of icing, these danishes are simply delightful.
- TIME: The entire process will take approximately 40 minutes.
- EASE: Though danishes may appear sophisticated, they are remarkably easy to prepare. This recipe requires only a handful of ingredients and utilizes frozen puff pastry, making it accessible for anyone.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Puff pastry sheets- These pre-made pastry sheets simplify the creation of the danish, though you can opt to make your own dough if preferred.
- Cream cheese- This sweet and tangy ingredient is essential for the filling, and full-fat cream cheese is recommended for the richest flavor.
- Granulated sugar- This ingredient adds a touch of sweetness to the filling.
- Eggs- The yolk contributes extra creaminess to the filling, while the remaining egg is used for an egg wash to achieve a beautiful glossy finish.
- Vanilla extract- This enhances the filling with a gentle vanilla flavor.
- Lemon zest- This adds a touch of citrusy tang that elevates the flavor of the cream cheese.
- Powdered sugar- This fine sugar allows for a smooth, thick icing to drizzle atop the pastries.
- Heavy cream- This ingredient combines with the powdered sugar to form the icing base. Whole milk can also be used as a substitute.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Add fruit to the filling- Enhance this danish recipe with raspberry preserves, strawberry jam, peach preserves, lime zest and juice, or fresh blueberries.
- Make it sweet and savory- Combine crispy bacon bits and pure maple syrup with the cream cheese filling for a mouthwatering twist.
- Add chocolate- Transform this treat into a chocolate delight by incorporating chocolate chips, melted chocolate, or Nutella.
- Add nuts- Enhance the flavor with slivers of almonds, or chopped pecans or walnuts for a satisfying crunch.
How to Make Cream Cheese Danish
- Prepare the cream cheese filling. In a spacious bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Use an electric mixer on high speed until the mixture is fully smooth.
Pro Tip: Ensure you’re only using the yellow part of the lemon peel, as the white pith underneath can be quite bitter.
- Roll out puff pastry. On a floured surface, roll out each sheet of thawed puff pastry to dimensions of 9×11 inches.
- Cut each sheet. Using kitchen shears, snip off the top two corners of each sheet (set these aside), then make 9-10 slits into each side, stopping about one-third of the way from the edge. Cut off the two remaining flaps at the bottom (set these aside as well).
- Add the filling to the danish. Distribute the filling between the pastries, placing it at the center.
- Braid the cheese danish. Starting from the top, alternate crossing the strips over each other from left to right. When reaching the last two strips, fold up the bottom flap and cross those last two strips over it. Gently transfer the danishes to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Create the egg wash. In a small bowl, mix 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, baking them at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, until they turn a golden brown. After baking, allow them to cool to room temperature.
- Prepare the icing. Mix powdered sugar with heavy cream to create icing, which can then be drizzled over the cooled danishes. Enjoy these pastries alone or paired with other delightful desserts, such as Napoleon cake with vanilla custard and Chantilly cream on top.
Recipe Tips
- Thaw the puff pastry completely- Ensure that the puff pastry is fully thawed so it can be easily shaped and folded. If it remains partially frozen, it may crack.
- Plan the strips ahead of cutting- Make preliminary indents on the puff pastry to guarantee even strips in terms of width and spacing.
- Use kitchen shears for cutting the pastry dough- To achieve smooth edges on the strips, opt for kitchen shears which create cleaner lines without ragged edges.
- Don’t skip the egg wash- Applying an egg wash to the tops of the danishes prior to baking is crucial for obtaining a golden brown hue and a glossy finish.
- Don’t discard the trimmed puff pastry scraps– Instead, bake them on the same sheet as the cheese danishes. Once cooled, you can spread Nutella or jam on them for a tasty treat!
FAQs
Should cream cheese Danish be kept refrigerated?Yes, it is advisable to refrigerate your cream cheese danish since it contains dairy that may spoil if left at room temperature. Your danishes can be left wrapped at room temperature for a day, but refrigerating them helps maintain their freshness.
Is it necessary to heat up a cheese Danish?A cheese danish can be enjoyed warm, cold, or at room temperature. This delightful treat tastes great at any temperature. If you prefer it warm, you can savor one right out of the oven or warm it in the microwave for around 20 seconds before enjoying.
Serving Suggestions
This delectable homemade Cream Cheese Danish is an excellent choice for breakfast or as a dessert.table. Enjoy it with muffins, pancakes, eggs, bacon, and more.
- Muffins: Accompany your dish with Blueberry Muffins (VIDEO), Cinnamon Apple Muffins (VIDEO), or Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins.
- Proteins: Complement this delightful creation with Easy Poached Eggs with Caramelized Onions, Crispy Air Fryer Bacon, Shakshuka, or Savory Crepes filled with Chicken and Mushrooms.
- Pancakes/Waffles: You can serve these Cream Cheese Danishes along with Buttery Belgian Liege Waffles, Cottage Cheese Pancakes, and Blueberry Breakfast Crepes.
- Other Pastries: Indulge in Cherry Danish, Peach Galette, the Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls (VIDEO), and Apricot Walnut Rugelach (VIDEO) to enjoy alongside this treat.
Prepare This Recipe Ahead of Time
Make ahead: Take the puff pastry out of the freezer and place it in the fridge in advance. You can also prepare the filling and store it in the fridge, covered, until you’re ready to assemble and bake your danishes.
Storing: Keep these Cream Cheese Danishes in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, either wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil or stored in an airtight container.
Freeze: Once the danishes have completely cooled, wrap them in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place them in a ziplock freezer bag. They will last in the freezer for approximately 2 months.
More Delectable Pastries!
- Strawberry Cobbler
- Old Fashioned Sour Cream Donuts
- Danish Recipe with Almonds and Cream Cheese
- Apple Strudel Recipe
Learn how to create this Danish pastry by watching the video
Detailed Recipe Instructions
Cream Cheese Danish
This simple Cream Cheese Danish Pastry is incredibly flaky and creamy. You’ll enjoy the delightful sweet-tart flavor of the filling along with the deliciously drizzled icing on the crust. from votes Print
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Ingredients
Danish Dough and Filling
-
1 lb puff pastry -
8 oz cream cheese -
1/4 cup granulated sugar -
1 large egg yolk + 1 egg for egg wash -
1/4 tsp vanilla extract -
1/2-1 tsp fresh lemon zest
Icing
-
1/2 cup powdered sugar -
2 Tbsp heavy cream
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine 8 oz of softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, 1 large egg yolk, 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract, and the zest of 1 lemon. Ensure that you use only the yellow part, avoiding the white rind due to its bitterness.
- With all the filling ingredients in the bowl, use an electric hand mixer at high speed to beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Notes
Storage Duration:Cheese danishes will remain fresh in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. When stored wrapped at room temperature, they are best consumed within 1-2 days.
Can I freeze it for later use?
Yes, these danishes can be frozen. Once completely cooled, wrap them in foil or plastic wrap and place them in a ziplock freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for approximately 2 months.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 463kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 233mg | Potassium: 74mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 381IU | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg
