Cheese Danish
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese
softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 sheet puff pastry
thawed if frozen
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2
In a small bowl, beat together cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- 3
Unroll puff pastry and, if needed, use a rolling pin to gently roll out to a rectangle approximately 9x13 inches. Cut pastry into 8 rectangles.
- 4
Transfer the rectangles to the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between. (You might need two baking sheets.) Using a paring knife, score a smaller rectangle inside each piece of dough, leaving a ½-inch border all around. Be careful to not cut all the way through the dough.
- 5
Spread about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture onto each smaller rectangle. Beat together egg and water, then use a pastry brush or paper towel to brush the egg wash on the uncovered pastry edges.
- 6
Bake for 12-15 minutes, until puffed and golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.
Cheese Danish
Similar Recipes
Ratings & Reviews
Be the First to Rate
Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!
About this Recipe
Dreaming of that flaky, sweet cheese danish from your favorite coffee shop without the premium price tag? Now you can easily recreate that bakery magic at home with this simple recipe.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe delivers authentic flavor with minimal effort, making it a fantastic weekend project or a quick weekday treat. The ingenious use of store-bought puff pastry eliminates hours of intricate dough work, allowing you to focus on the luscious, creamy filling. The combination of tangy cream cheese and crisp, golden layers creates an irresistible pastry that tastes incredibly gourmet, yet requires just a few basic ingredients.
What to Expect
Prepare for a delightful bite that marries a rich, smooth cream cheese filling with the airy, buttery layers of golden puff pastry. Each danish offers a perfect balance of sweet and slightly tangy, creating a truly satisfying experience that rivals any bakery. You'll find the texture to be wonderfully contrasting—a tender, yielding center encased in a shatteringly crisp exterior. Despite its elegant appearance, this recipe is surprisingly straightforward, taking just a few minutes of active preparation before baking to golden perfection. You'll achieve a bakery-quality result that tastes like it came from a skilled pastry chef, yet requires no special techniques.
Customization & Variations
While perfect as is, you can adjust the sweetness of the cream cheese filling by slightly increasing or decreasing the granulated sugar to your preference. This recipe is naturally vegetarian, making it a delightful option for a wide range of diets. For a subtly richer flavor, ensure your cream cheese is fully softened before mixing.
Serving & Context
These cheese danishes are ideal for a special breakfast, an elegant brunch spread, or as a delightful companion to your afternoon coffee. Serve them warm for the ultimate comfort food experience.