Homemade Cheese Danishes

Flaky, golden pastry filled with sweet, creamy cheese—these Homemade Cheese Danishes are bakery-level delicious and incredibly easy to make at home. With the help of store-bought puff pastry and a simple cream cheese filling, you can whip up these elegant pastries in under 30 minutes. Serve them for brunch, holidays, or a special breakfast treat that looks fancy but takes minimal effort.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Bakery-Style at Home – Impressive pastries with just a few ingredients.
Quick & Simple – Ready in less than 30 minutes with store-bought puff pastry.
Sweet & Tangy – The cream cheese filling is perfectly balanced.
Customizable – Add fruit, chocolate, or drizzle with glaze.
Perfect for Any Occasion – Serve warm or cold for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Danishes:

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp lemon juice
• 1 egg yolk (for filling)
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• 1 tbsp water (for egg wash)

Optional Toppings:

• Fruit preserves (raspberry, strawberry, apricot)
• Fresh berries
• Powdered sugar
• Lemon glaze (powdered sugar + lemon juice)

Tools You’ll Need
Mixing bowl
Whisk or hand mixer
Spatula
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Pastry brush
Knife or pizza cutter

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Make the Cheese Filling
In a bowl, beat together cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and egg yolk until smooth and creamy.
Set aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Puff Pastry
Unfold the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.
Cut into 4–6 equal squares.
Use a knife to score a ½-inch border inside each square without cutting through the dough—this helps the edges puff up around the filling.

Step 4: Add the Filling
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of cream cheese filling into the center of each square.
Spread it gently within the scored border.
If using, add a small spoonful of fruit preserves or fresh fruit on top of the cheese.

Step 5: Brush with Egg Wash
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water.
Brush the edges of each pastry square with the egg wash for a shiny, golden finish.

Step 6: Bake the Danishes
Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
Let cool slightly on a wire rack.

Step 7: Glaze or Garnish
Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a quick lemon glaze made from ½ cup powdered sugar and 1–2 tsp lemon juice.
Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips for the Best Cheese Danishes
Keep the Pastry Cold – Cold dough puffs up best in the oven.
Don’t Overfill – Use just enough filling to avoid overflow.
Use Full-Fat Cream Cheese – For the richest, creamiest texture.
Add a Fruit Twist – Raspberry and cream cheese is a classic combo.
Score the Dough – Helps define the border and hold the filling in place.

Serving Suggestions
With Fresh Fruit – Serve alongside berries or melon.
As Part of a Brunch Spread – Pair with muffins, scones, and mimosas.
With Coffee or Tea – A lovely treat with your morning cup.
Topped with Glaze – Add an extra layer of sweetness and shine.
For Dessert – Serve with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

How to Store & Reheat

Storing:
Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigerate: Up to 5 days; reheat for best texture before serving.

Freezing:
Freeze baked danishes in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Thaw and reheat before serving.

Reheating:
Oven: Bake at 325°F for 8–10 minutes until warm and crisp.
Air Fryer: 320°F for 4–5 minutes.
Microwave: Not recommended—softens the crust.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use crescent dough instead of puff pastry?
Yes—crescent roll dough is softer and less flaky, but still tasty.

2. Can I make them ahead of time?
Yes—assemble up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready.

3. What if I don’t have lemon juice?
You can skip it, but it adds a nice brightness to the filling.

4. Can I make them mini-sized?
Absolutely—just cut smaller pastry squares and use less filling.

5. Is this the same as a Danish braid?
Same flavors, but a braid is a larger, woven pastry. This recipe is for individual servings.

Final Thoughts
Homemade Cheese Danishes are a simple yet elegant pastry that delivers flaky, creamy, and sweet perfection with every bite. Whether you serve them plain or topped with fruit and glaze, they’re a wonderful way to elevate any morning or add a special touch to your brunch table.

Make them once, and they’ll become a regular request in your home!

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 18 minutes
Cuisine: European-Inspired / Brunch

Nutritional Information (Per Danish, 1 of 6):
Calories: 290 | Protein: 5g | Carbohydrates: 23g | Fat: 20g | Sugar: 9g | Sodium: 220mg

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