Description
This easy cheese Danish recipe features flaky puff pastry filled with a rich, creamy, lightly sweetened cream cheese filling. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an indulgent snack. Customize it with fruit, nuts, or a drizzle of glaze for a bakery-style treat at home!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pastry:
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
For the Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
Optional Toppings:
- Fresh berries
- Honey drizzle
- Sliced almonds
- Melted chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare filling: Mix cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest until smooth.
- Roll out puff pastry and cut into 4-6 squares or circles.
- Score a border around each pastry square and spoon the filling into the center.
- Brush edges with egg wash to create a golden finish.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
- Prepare glaze by whisking powdered sugar and milk.
- Drizzle glaze over cooled Danishes and top with optional fruit or nuts.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Use cold puff pastry for the best flaky texture.
- Let the pastries cool slightly before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting too quickly.
- Add fruit preserves or chocolate chips for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European, American