Cheese Danishes Recipe
If you’re looking for a truly delightful pastry to impress both yourself and anyone lucky enough to stop by, look no further than these homemade Cheese Danishes. With pillowy-soft yeasted dough, a swirl of cinnamon, and a dreamy cream cheese filling, these classic treats are like a cozy morning hug straight from your oven. They’re as fun to make as they are delicious to eat, and with just a bit of prep, you’ll have a buttery, bakery-worthy result right at home that’ll disappear faster than you can say “breakfast is served.”
Ingredients You’ll Need
Baking Cheese Danishes from scratch is all about building layers of flavor and texture using a handful of straightforward ingredients. Each item plays a starring role, whether in bringing richness, lift, sweetness, or irresistible creaminess.
- Active Dry Yeast: Gives the dough its lightness and that wonderful homemade rise.
- Warm Water: Helps activate the yeast, so your danishes puff up perfectly.
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the dough, keeping everything together and yielding a tender crumb.
- Sugar: Sweetens both the dough and the filling while giving a nice golden color to the crust.
- Salt: Balances all the sweetness and elevates every single flavor in the danishes.
- Cold Butter, Cubed: The secret to flakiness and that luscious, buttery taste in every bite.
- 2% Milk: Adds moisture and extra richness to create a supple, soft dough.
- Large Egg Yolks: Make the dough tender and add a beautiful golden hue.
- Ground Cinnamon: Warms the pastry up with spice and pairs beautifully with the creamy filling.
- Cream Cheese, Softened: The creamy heart of every danish; tangy and smooth as can be.
- Egg (Separated): The yolk makes the filling super rich; the white creates a shiny, tempting crust.
- Maple Syrup: Adds a final, glossy, and subtly sweet finish that’s absolutely irresistible.
How to Make Cheese Danishes
Step 1: Make the Dough
Begin by dissolving the active dry yeast in warm water; this “wakes up” the yeast and gets things bubbling. In a large bowl, blend together the flour, sugar, and salt, then cut in the cold cubes of butter until the mixture looks crumbly—think coarse sand with tiny pebbles. Add the milk, egg yolks, and yeast mixture, stirring gently until a soft, sticky dough forms. Cover the bowl and pop it into the fridge for anywhere from 8 to 24 hours. This slow overnight rise keeps the Cheese Danishes extra tender and flavorful.
Step 2: Shape and Assemble the Cheese Danishes
When you’re ready to assemble, gently punch down the chilled dough and divide it into four portions. Working on a lightly floured surface, shape each one into a 9×4-inch rectangle. Sprinkle each rectangle with ground cinnamon, then slice lengthwise into four skinny strips. Twist each strip and coil it into a tidy little spiral—don’t be afraid to get creative with the shapes! Tuck the ends under so they hold their shape and arrange on greased baking sheets, spaced far enough apart to let them grow.
Step 3: Cream Cheese Filling
For the classic filling, blend together softened cream cheese, sugar, and a golden egg yolk until velvety-smooth. With your fingers, press a small well into the center of each pastry coil and fill it with a generous tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture. This is what gives Cheese Danishes their signature look and the dreamy, gooey middle. Cover your trays loosely and let the danishes rise somewhere cozy and warm—about 45 minutes, or until they’ve doubled in size and look blissfully puffy.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Whisk the reserved egg white with a splash of water and brush it over the risen pastries for a beautifully shiny crust. Slide your Cheese Danishes into the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes—or until golden, glossy, and just lightly browned around the edges. Once baked, transfer to a wire rack and immediately brush each danish with a bit of maple syrup for an irresistible sheen and a hint of earthy sweetness.
How to Serve Cheese Danishes
Garnishes
A sprinkle of powdered sugar, a scattering of toasted sliced almonds, or a drizzle of extra maple syrup is all it takes to elevate your Cheese Danishes from simple to entirely bakery-worthy. If you love fruit, try adding a few fresh raspberries or blueberries on the side for a burst of color and tang. The goal is to accentuate the warm, creamy center and let your presentation shine.
Side Dishes
Pair your Cheese Danishes with a strong cup of coffee or a pot of fragrant tea for the ultimate breakfast or brunch moment. If you’re serving a crowd, offer up a big fruit salad or a glass of fresh orange juice to balance the pastry’s richness. Even a side of crispy bacon or scrambled eggs can transform your morning spread into a celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
Present these Cheese Danishes on a pretty cake stand lined with parchment for a rustic touch, or tuck them into a basket with a cloth napkin for a cozy, homey feel. For a brunch buffet, try layering them on a platter interspersed with sliced fruit for a pop of color. You can even pipe a quick icing over the top for a fancy, bakery-style finish—let your creativity be your guide!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have extra Cheese Danishes after breakfast, simply place any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay soft and tasty for up to three days—just make sure to let them cool completely before storing so they don’t get soggy.
Freezing
Cheese Danishes freeze beautifully! Once they’re completely cooled, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Wrap each one individually or place in a freezer-safe bag, then stash away for up to two months. To enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as desired.
Reheating
To bring your Cheese Danishes back to their warm, bakery-fresh glory, pop them into a 300-degree Fahrenheit oven for 8-10 minutes, or until heated through. Microwaving works in a pinch, though the oven keeps the pastry crisp and the filling creamy—just how it should be.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought puff pastry instead of making dough from scratch?
Absolutely! While homemade yeasted dough gives authentic flavor and a tender crumb, store-bought puff pastry is a fantastic shortcut for busy mornings. Roll it out, shape and fill as described, and bake until golden.
Can I add fruit to the filling?
Yes! Feel free to tuck a few berries or thin slices of apple or pear into the cream cheese center before baking. It adds a lovely fresh element and new layers of flavor to your Cheese Danishes.
Is it possible to make these Cheese Danishes ahead of time?
Definitely—let the assembled, unbaked danishes rise in the fridge overnight, then bake fresh in the morning for maximum ease and flavor.
Can I substitute the cream cheese with something else?
If you’re dairy-free or out of cream cheese, try using a thick, non-dairy cream cheese spread or even lightly sweetened ricotta for a delicious twist that still keeps the spirit of Cheese Danishes alive.
Do I have to let the dough chill overnight?
While the long chilling time creates extra flavorful, easy-to-handle dough, you can reduce the refrigeration to 8 hours if you’re in a hurry. For best results, though, the overnight rest is worth it!
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about pulling a tray of fresh, homemade Cheese Danishes from your oven—the aroma alone promises comfort and joy. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a curious beginner, this recipe invites you to slow down and savor each blissful, creamy, cinnamon-laced bite. So grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself to the kind of breakfast memories you’ll want to make again and again.
Print
Cheese Danishes Recipe
- Total Time: 9 hours
- Yield: 16 danishes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious cheese danishes with a flaky, buttery pastry and a sweet cream cheese filling, perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 cup cold butter, cubed
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 4 large egg yolks, room temperature
Assembly:
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 large egg, separated
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in warm water. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Add milk, egg yolks, and yeast mixture; stir to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky). Cover and refrigerate 8-24 hours.
- To assemble: Punch down dough; divide into 4 portions. On a lightly floured surface, pat each portion into a 9×4-in. rectangle; sprinkle each with 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut each rectangle lengthwise into four 9×1-in. strips. Twist each strip, then loosely wrap strip around itself to form a coil; tuck the end under and pinch to seal. Place 3 in. apart on greased baking sheets.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, and egg yolk until smooth. Press an indentation in the center of each roll; fill with 1 rounded tablespoon cream cheese mixture. Cover; let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°.
- Whisk egg white with water; brush over rolls. Bake until golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Remove to wire racks; brush with syrup. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 danish
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: cheese danish, breakfast pastry, cream cheese danish
