Cheese Danish Recipe
Picture this: golden, buttery pastry enveloping a silky-smooth, tangy-sweet cream cheese filling, with a drizzle of sweet vanilla icing to finish it off. That’s the magic of Cheese Danish, a bakery-worthy treat you can easily whip up at home. Whether it’s a cozy breakfast, a dazzling addition to your brunch table, or just the perfect companion to your afternoon coffee, this recipe brings you all the nostalgia and joy of a classic pastry, but with the comfort of your own kitchen. Trust me, nothing makes your home smell as wonderful as a fresh batch of homemade Cheese Danish!
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I adore about this Cheese Danish is how each ingredient truly matters, combining to create irresistible flavor and texture. With just a few simple but top-quality items, you’ll create a pastry that’s tender, creamy, and absolutely bakery-worthy.
- Puff pastry (17.3oz OR 320g, thawed): Store-bought or homemade, this gives you that gorgeous flaky, buttery base without the fuss.
- Egg (+ 2 teaspoons of water): An egg wash gives the Danish its beautiful golden color and helps seal the edges.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces, softened): The heart of the filling—make sure it’s at room temperature for the smoothest texture.
- Egg yolk (at room temperature): Adds richness to the cheese filling and helps bind everything together.
- Powdered sugar (¼ cup for filling + 1 cup for icing): Sweetens the filling wonderfully and creates the perfect glaze to finish.
- Fresh lemon juice (1 teaspoon): Just a dash brightens the filling, balancing all the sweet, creamy notes.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon for filling, more for icing if you like): Infuses warm, aromatic depth into both the filling and icing.
- Salt (⅛ teaspoon): A pinch sharpens all the flavors and keeps things from being too sweet.
- Milk (1-2 tablespoons): Used in the icing, a splash at a time helps you hit the perfect drizzling consistency.
How to Make Cheese Danish
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheet and Oven
First things first: set your oven to 350°F (180°C, or 160°C for fan ovens) and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. This simple step ensures your Cheese Danish won’t stick and will bake evenly, making cleanup a breeze and giving your pastries a crisp, golden bottom.
Step 2: Mix the Cream Cheese Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, egg yolk, ¼ cup powdered sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt. Use a sturdy whisk or a rubber spatula to blend until velvety-smooth. If your cream cheese is soft enough, this becomes an easy, satisfying process!
Step 3: Roll Out the Puff Pastry
Lay your thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll it into a 12×12-inch square. Don’t worry about getting it perfectly square—just try to keep an even thickness so every Cheese Danish bakes up beautifully light and flaky.
Step 4: Cut and Shape the Squares
With a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the pastry into nine 4-inch squares. Then, for that signature Danish shape, fold each corner of every square about 1 inch toward the center and press gently—just enough for the edges to stick without squishing the layers.
Step 5: Fill the Pastries
Scoop a generous tablespoon of your cream cheese filling into the center of each square. Don’t be shy—this luscious filling is what makes every bite of Cheese Danish so magical.
Step 6: Brush With Egg Wash
Whisk together 1 egg with 2 teaspoons of water for your egg wash. Using a pastry brush, carefully coat the exposed pastry dough (but not the cheese filling). This is your ticket to that golden, glossy bakery finish.
Step 7: Bake the Cheese Danish
Slide your pan into the preheated oven and bake for 16 to 18 minutes, giving the pan a quick spin halfway through so they brown evenly. Take them out when the pastries are puffed and golden, and let them cool completely—the hardest part is resisting a taste test at this stage!
Step 8: Drizzle With Icing
For the final flourish, stir together 1 cup powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons milk (add gradually to control the consistency). If you like, pop in a dash more vanilla. Drizzle the icing over the cooled Cheese Danish, letting it set for a minute before diving in.
How to Serve Cheese Danish
Garnishes
You can’t go wrong with the classic vanilla icing drizzle, but a sprinkle of lemon zest or a few fresh berries on top creates an extra-special Cheese Danish moment. If you’re feeling decadent, dust with a light scattering of powdered sugar just before serving.
Side Dishes
These pastries are fabulous alongside a bowl of fresh fruit or a crisp apple salad to balance the creamy richness. For breakfast or brunch, offer with strong coffee or tea, or set out a glass of bubbly for a weekend treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the Cheese Danish on a rustic wooden board with sliced citrus and sprigs of mint—it turns even a quiet morning into a mini celebration. For a brunch buffet, serve a variety with different fruit toppings, or package individual pastries in parchment and twine as a sweet edible gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Cheese Danish in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. The pastry will soften slightly but still tastes wonderful, especially if you give it a quick reheat before serving.
Freezing
Yes, you can freeze these beauties! Arrange cooled Cheese Danish in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months—just be sure to freeze them before adding the icing for best texture.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven magic, pop your refrigerated or thawed Cheese Danish into a 300°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes, or until warmed through and crisp again. Add the icing afterward for the prettiest finish.
FAQs
Can I make Cheese Danish with homemade puff pastry?
Absolutely! Homemade puff pastry takes a bit more effort but the payoff is a richer, flakier pastry. Just allow plenty of chill time and be gentle with the layers for the best Cheese Danish results.
What kind of cream cheese works best?
Stick with full-fat brick-style cream cheese for the silkiest filling—it won’t turn watery or grainy, and the flavor is just unbeatable for a classic Cheese Danish.
Can I add fruit preserves or jam to my Cheese Danish?
Definitely! A dollop of raspberry, apricot, or even cherry preserves on top of the cheese filling before baking adds a pop of color and extra tangy sweetness. Have fun experimenting with your favorites.
Is there a substitute for lemon juice?
If you don’t have fresh lemon juice, a bit of orange juice or even a touch of sour cream can give that slight tang to balance the filling—just use a light hand so the flavor doesn’t overpower.
How can I keep the pastry crisp after baking?
Let the pastries cool completely on a wire rack for maximum crispness and avoid covering them while warm. If storing, reheat briefly in the oven to revive that fresh, flaky texture just when you’re ready to eat.
Final Thoughts
If you’re dreaming of bakery-quality treats at home, bake up this Cheese Danish and watch it become a household favorite. I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it does to mine—happy baking, and let me know how your batch of Cheese Danish turns out!
Print
Cheese Danish Recipe
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 9 pastries 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and flaky cheese danishes made with puff pastry and a creamy cheese filling, topped with a sweet icing. These pastries are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet treat with coffee.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry:
- 1 17.3oz OR 320g box puff pastry (thawed)
Cheese Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 egg yolk (at room temperature)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Egg Wash:
- 1 egg (+ 2 teaspoons of water for egg wash)
Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C, 160°C fan oven, and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare Filling: In a bowl, combine cream cheese with yolk, powdered sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt.
- Roll Out Pastry: Roll out the puff pastry into a 12×12-inch square.
- Cut Pastry: Cut the dough into 9 4-inch squares and fold the corners towards the center.
- Add Filling: Place a tablespoon of filling in the center of each pastry square.
- Brush with Egg Wash: Whisk together an egg with water and brush the sides of each pastry.
- Bake: Bake for 16-18 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through.
- Make Icing: Combine powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract to make the icing. Drizzle over each pastry.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened for easy mixing.
- Be careful not to overfill the pastries to prevent leakage during baking.
- Adjust the sweetness of the icing by adding more or less powdered sugar to suit your taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pastry
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Cheese Danish, Pastry, Breakfast, Brunch, Cream Cheese, Sweet Treat
