Description
This Ultimate Cheese Danish features flaky puff pastry encasing a smooth, rich cream cheese filling, all topped with a sweet vanilla glaze. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or as a delightful dessert, these bakery-style pastries are easy to make at home and guaranteed to impress.
Ingredients
Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Egg Wash
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp water
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it is ready for baking the Danish pastries.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Make Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Roll out the thawed puff pastry slightly on a lightly floured surface, then cut it into 6 equal rectangles.
- Shape Pastry Borders: Fold or shape the edges of each pastry rectangle to create a raised border, which will hold the cheese filling in place during baking.
- Fill Pastry: Spoon the cheese filling into the center of each prepared pastry rectangle, being careful not to overfill.
- Apply Egg Wash: Whisk together the egg and water, then brush this mixture over the edges of the pastry to promote a golden glaze during baking.
- Bake Pastries: Place the pastries on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes or until they turn golden brown and puff up.
- Cool Pastries: Remove the Danish pastries from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack to prevent sogginess.
- Prepare Glaze: Mix together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the glaze evenly over the warm Danish pastries just before serving for a sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- For added flavor, try incorporating fruit preserves like raspberry or apricot into the cheese filling or drizzling on top before glazing.
- These pastries are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are made to savor the puff pastry’s flaky texture.
- To store, keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day; reheat briefly in a warm oven to refresh.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Danish
