Heavenly Easy Cheese Danish Recipe That Melts in Your Mouth

Crafting a delightful cheese danish brings pure morning magic to your kitchen.

Sweet pastry dreams start with simple ingredients waiting to become something extraordinary.

Buttery layers promise a taste of bakery-style indulgence right at home.

Flaky, cream cheese-filled crescents offer comfort in every delicate bite.

Minimal effort transforms basic pantry staples into a stunning breakfast treat.

Crisp edges and soft centers create a perfect balance of textures.

You’ll want to savor each tender, golden-brown morsel slowly and joyfully.

Why Cheese Danish is a Sweet Classic

• Whip Up Quickly: Minimal ingredients and simple steps make this recipe a breeze for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned pros.
• Impress without Stress: Elegant Danish pastries that look professionally made but require zero culinary expertise, perfect for surprising guests or family.
• Create Crowd-Pleaser: Versatile treat that works for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or afternoon snack, appealing to both kids and adults with its creamy, sweet profile.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows adding different fruit fillings, experimenting with cream cheese variations, or adjusting sweetness to personal taste preferences.

Ingredients for Cheese Danish

• Puff Pastry: A delicate, flaky dough that provides a light and crisp base for the cheese danish.
• Cream Cheese: A rich and creamy cheese that forms the smooth, tangy filling of the pastry.
• Egg: Essential for creating the egg wash and binding the filling together.

• Sugar, Vanilla Extract: These ingredients add sweetness and a classic aromatic flavor to the cheese filling.
• Powdered Sugar: An optional topping that provides a light, sweet finish to the pastry.

• Egg, Water: Combined to create a golden, glossy finish on the pastry surface.
• Parchment Paper: Ensures the pastries do not stick to the baking sheet and allows for easy cleanup.
• Flour: Used for lightly dusting the surface to prevent the pastry from sticking during preparation.

How to Bake Cheese Danish

Step 1: Prepare Oven Temperature

Set the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) to ensure it’s fully heated before baking.

Step 2: Create Creamy Filling

• Cream cheese
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Egg yolk

Mix thoroughly to remove any lumps and create a consistent, velvety texture.

Step 3: Prepare Pastry Dough

Gently unfold the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.

Using a sharp knife, cut the pastry into even squares or rectangles.

Step 4: Fill Pastry Squares

Carefully spoon a generous dollop of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each pastry piece.

Step 5: Fold Pastry Corners

Delicately fold the corners of each pastry towards the center, allowing them to slightly overlap the creamy filling.

This creates the classic Danish shape.

Step 6: Prepare Egg Wash

• Remaining egg
• Water

Brush the pastry surfaces generously with this egg wash to create a beautiful golden sheen.

Step 7: Arrange on Baking Sheet

Place the prepared Danish pastries on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, ensuring they’re not touching.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the pastries turn a rich, golden brown color.

Step 9: Finish and Serve

Allow the Danish pastries to cool slightly.

For an extra touch of sweetness, dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Pro Tips for Cheese Danish Success

• Use full-fat cream cheese at room temperature for the smoothest, richest filling that spreads easily and blends without lumps.
• Ensure puff pastry stays crisp by placing the baking sheet on the middle oven rack and avoiding overcrowding of pastries.
• Apply egg wash gently with a pastry brush, covering the entire exposed pastry surface for a beautiful golden-brown, glossy finish.
• Pinch pastry corners firmly to seal the filling and maintain a neat, triangular shape that prevents leakage during baking.
• Allow Danish to cool for 10-15 minutes after baking so the filling sets and becomes easier to handle without burning your mouth.

Variations on Cheese Danish

• Gluten-Free Danish: Replace puff pastry with gluten-free puff pastry or phyllo dough made from rice or almond flour. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Cream Cheese Version: Swap dairy cream cheese with plant-based cream cheese alternatives. Use coconut oil instead of egg wash and replace egg yolk with silken tofu or applesauce.
• Berry Cream Cheese Danish: Add fresh raspberries or blueberries to the cream cheese filling. Sprinkle a small amount of lemon zest for extra brightness and flavor complexity.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Reduce overall sugar content and add cinnamon for natural sweetness and depth of flavor.

Serving Ideas for Cheese Danish

• Brunch Centerpiece: Arrange these golden danish on a rustic wooden board with fresh berries and mint sprigs for a stunning breakfast presentation.
• Sweet Morning Pairing: Serve alongside hot coffee or freshly squeezed orange juice to create a delightful morning meal that feels both elegant and comforting.
• Dessert Transformation: Drizzle melted chocolate or caramel over cooled danish for an indulgent after-dinner treat that elevates the simple pastry into a decadent dessert.
• Party Platter Perfection: Create a beautiful dessert spread by mixing these cheese danish with other small pastries, offering guests a variety of bite-sized delights.

How to Store Cheese Danish

• Store cooled Danish pastries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Wrap each pastry individually in plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent them from drying out.
• Place completely cooled pastries in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Seal tightly to prevent freezer burn.
• Warm pastries in a preheated oven at 325F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid using microwave, which can make the pastry soggy.

FAQs

• What ingredients do I need for the cream cheese filling?

You’ll need cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and an egg yolk. Mix these together until smooth for a creamy, sweet filling.

• Can I make these Danish pastries ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the pastries and refrigerate them unbaked for a few hours before baking. Just add the egg wash right before putting them in the oven.

• Do I need special baking skills to make these cheese Danish?

Not at all! This recipe is beginner-friendly. As long as you can follow simple steps and handle puff pastry, you’ll create delicious pastries.

• What type of puff pastry works best for this recipe?

Use store-bought frozen puff pastry sheets. Thaw them according to package instructions before using, and they’ll give you perfect, flaky results every time.

Easy Cheese Danish Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Danish pastry lovers rejoice over this classic Cheese Danish that brings Copenhagen’s bakery magic right to home kitchens. Rich cream cheese filling nestled in buttery, flaky pastry creates a delightful breakfast or dessert you can savor with morning coffee.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cheese and Dairy:

• 1 package (8 ounces / 226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 egg (for egg wash)

Pastry:

• 1 package puff pastry, thawed

Flavoring:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon water

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 375F (190C), ensuring an even temperature for optimal baking.
2. Create a velvety cream cheese filling by thoroughly blending cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and egg yolk until completely smooth and free of lumps.
3. Gently unfurl the puff pastry on a lightly dusted work surface, then carefully slice into uniform squares or rectangles for consistent pastry size.
4. Distribute the luscious cream cheese mixture to the center of each pastry piece, leaving enough border for folding.
5. Elegantly fold the pastry corners toward the center, allowing them to slightly overlap and encase the creamy filling.
6. Craft a golden glaze by whisking the remaining egg with water, then delicately brush the pastry surface to achieve a lustrous finish.
7. Arrange the prepared Danish on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring adequate spacing between each pastry.
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown color that indicates perfect caramelization and flaky texture.
9. Allow the Danish to rest briefly after removing from the oven, then dust with a light snowfall of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Adjust cream cheese temperature beforehand for smoother, lump-free filling by letting it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Experiment with flavor variations by adding lemon zest, almond extract, or a sprinkle of cinnamon to the cream cheese mixture for unique taste profiles.
• Ensure pastry edges are sealed properly to prevent filling from leaking during baking, using a fork to gently press down the folded corners.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute puff pastry with gluten-free puff pastry or phyllo dough, keeping cooking time and temperature consistent.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Danish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg