Cheese Danish Delight Recipe

Introduction

Enjoy a flaky, buttery pastry filled with a creamy, sweet cheese center in this Cheese Danish Delight recipe. Perfect for breakfast or a special treat, these homemade danishes are simpler to make than you might think.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Step 2: Gradually add 1/4 cup of cold water, mixing until the dough comes together. Avoid overworking it. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. Step 3: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Step 4: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the dough into squares approximately 4×4 inches.
5. Step 5: In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
6. Step 6: Place a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each dough square. Fold the corners towards the center to create a pocket and pinch to seal.
7. Step 7: In a small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and milk. Brush the egg wash over each Danish.
8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the cream cheese filling.
• Use chilled water for the dough and keep the butter cold to create flakier layers.
• Try folding in fresh berries with the cream cheese for a fruity twist.
• Brush danishes with a simple glaze of powdered sugar and milk after baking for added sweetness.

Storage

Store leftover Cheese Danish in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep longer, refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough up to two days in advance and keep it refrigerated. For longer storage, freeze the dough wrapped tightly for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.

Can I substitute cream cheese with another filling?

Absolutely. Ricotta mixed with sugar and vanilla works well, or try almond paste for a nutty flavor. Adjust sweetness to taste depending on the filling you choose.

Cheese Danish Delight Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 91 reviews

Cheese Danish Delight is a flaky, buttery pastry filled with a creamy and sweetened cream cheese mixture. Perfect for breakfast or an indulgent snack, these homemade Danish pastries combine a tender, crisp crust with a rich, velvety filling finished with a shiny egg wash glaze.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 35-40 minutes
• Yield: 8 pastries 1x
• Category: Pastry
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Danish
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup cold water

Filling Ingredients

• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Egg Wash

• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt. Add 1 cup cold, cubed unsalted butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to incorporate the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Form the Dough: Gradually add 1/4 cup cold water to the flour-butter mixture, mixing gently until a dough forms. Avoid overworking the dough to keep it tender. Shape it into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill.
3. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
4. Roll Out Dough and Cut Squares: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a 1/4 inch thickness into a rectangle. Cut the dough into roughly 4×4 inch squares, preparing them for filling.
5. Make Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy, free of lumps.
6. Assemble Danishes: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese filling onto the center of each dough square. Fold the corners towards the center, pinching the edges together to seal the pockets securely, creating a neat Danish shape.
7. Apply Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and 1 tablespoon milk. Brush this mixture over the surface of each Danish to give them a beautiful golden brown finish once baked.
8. Bake: Place the prepared Danishes on the lined baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and puffed up.
9. Cool and Serve: Remove the Danishes from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature for best flavor.

Notes

• Use cold butter and cold water to achieve a flaky pastry crust.
• Do not overwork the dough to prevent toughness.
• Filling can be customized with fruit preserves or lemon zest for variation.
• Store leftover Danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Reheat lightly before serving to restore flakiness.

Keywords: Cheese Danish, Pastry, Cream Cheese Filling, Homemade Danish, Breakfast Pastry, Sweet Pastry