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Flaky Cheese Danish pastries with cream filling on a white plate

Ultimate Cheese Danish Recipe

Emily Wilson
A flaky, golden cheese Danish you can make at home using either store-bought puff pastry or traditional laminated dough. This recipe delivers a creamy, slightly tangy filling perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy treat.
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Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine American, european
Servings 8 pieces
Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Rolling Pin
  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Whisk
  • Pastry Brush
  • Knife or pizza cutter
  • Cooling rack

Ingredients
  

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp lemon juice optional
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 pinch salt

Puff Pastry Version

  • 1 sheet puff pastry thawed
  • 1 large egg for egg wash
  • 1 tbsp water for egg wash

Homemade Dough Version

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.33 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp active dry yeast
  • 1 cup whole milk warm
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup unsalted butter cold, for laminating

Optional Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp milk or lemon juice add more to adjust consistency
  • 0.5 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Mix cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, lemon juice, egg yolk, and salt until smooth.
  • Unfold puff pastry and cut into 8 pieces. Place on baking sheet and fold edges slightly.
  • Spoon cream cheese mixture into center of each pastry.
  • Whisk egg and water, then brush edges of pastry.
  • Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until golden and puffed. Cool completely before glazing.
  • For homemade dough, mix dry ingredients. Add milk and egg, knead until smooth. Chill 30 minutes.
  • Prepare a butter block and chill. Roll dough, add butter, fold and laminate with chilling between folds.
  • Cut dough into squares, fill and shape. Proof for 1 hour. Brush and bake at 390°F for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Cool and drizzle with glaze if using.

Notes

Use full-fat cream cheese for best results. Always let pastries cool fully before glazing. Puff pastry makes this recipe faster, but homemade dough gives a classic touch.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
  • Calories: 320
  • Total Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg
  • Sodium: 220 mg
  • Potassium: 0 mg
  • Dietary Fiber: 1 g
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Vitamin A: 0 IU
  • Vitamin C: 0 mg
  • Calcium: 0 mg
  • Iron: 0 mg