Beth can’t stop raving about this incredibly tasty Cheese Danish recipe. It’s buttery, flaky, and has a delightful vanilla scent. I absolutely love making this breakfast pastry because it’s quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes, and it’s also budget-friendly. In fact, I’ll even teach you how to make it at home for just a fraction of the cost you’d pay at an expensive bakery. (Believe it or not, they charge $18 for only six pastries on Gold Belly!)
What Is Cheese Danish?
Cheese Danish is a traditional breakfast delicacy from Denmark, consisting of a buttery puff pastry with a delicate cream cheese filling. This simple yet delectable treat is not only ideal for breakfast, but also for brunch, a swift after-dinner dessert, or even a potluck or work party. (Bonus Tip: Surprise your loved ones on a rough day by preparing a batch of Cheese Danish, and get ready for an abundance of warm hugs.)
What You Need To Make Cheese Danish
I always rely on this recipe and make sure to always have the ingredients on hand because I’m always prepared for dessert. Once you try it, you’ll also start stocking up on them. Trust me. Here is what you’ll need to make my simple Cheese Danish recipe:
Tips For Making The Best Cheese Danish
- To prevent cracking, let the puff pastry thaw in the refrigerator for one to two hours. Avoid thawing it at room temperature, as this will cause the butter to melt into the dough, resulting in a loss of the desired flaky finish typically associated with puff pastry.
- To enhance the flavor, incorporate a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest into the filling.
- To ensure the oven is at the correct temperature, make use of an oven thermometer.
- To guarantee even baking, halfway through cooking, rotate the baking sheet from front to back.
- To enhance the taste and achieve a smoother texture, incorporate a tablespoon of melted butter into the icing.
- In order to prevent the icing from melting into the pastry, it is recommended to cool the Cheese Danish before applying it. For a neat and lines of icing, opt for using a fork instead of a spoon when drizzling the icing.
How To Store Cheese Danish
To ensure freshness, allow the Cheese Danish to cool completely. Afterwards, place it in an airtight container, placing wax or parchment paper between each layer and over the top surface. For optimal storage, keep it in the refrigerator for a maximum of seven days or in the freezer for up to two months. Before serving, thaw the Danish in the fridge, or if preferred warm, reheat it in a 350°F oven for approximately 5 minutes.
How to Make Cheese Danish – Step by Step Photos
To prepare, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and position the oven rack in the center. Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a bowl, combine 8 ounces of cream cheese, 1/3 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 egg yolk, and a pinch of salt. Mix until the mixture becomes smooth and light in texture.
Take out one sheet of puff pastry and remove any excess flour before placing it onto the baking sheet. Proceed to cut along the seams of the folds to obtain three strips of equal size. Divide each strip in half, ensuring that you press down instead of pulling the knife through the dough in order to maintain its shape.
To prevent the puff pastry from rising in the middle, utilize a fork to puncture around the edges of each rectangle, ensuring to maintain a half-inch border.
Place two generous tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture onto each square, ensuring an ample amount. Proceed to evenly spread the mixture, being mindful to keep the edges clean and free from any excess.
Whisk one egg white until it becomes frothy. Next, lightly dip a pastry brush into the beaten egg white, or if needed, simply use your finger. Lightly trace the borders of the puff pastry with the egg white to achieve a golden color and glossy finish.
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the puff pastries in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. After that, rotate the baking sheet by turning it from front to back. Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the edges of the puff pastry have puffed up and turned golden brown. Once done, carefully transfer the pastries from the baking sheet to a cooling rack using a spatula. Allow them to cool before serving.
Next, in a different bowl, combine 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of milk. Lastly, pour this mixture over the cooled Cheese Danish.
You have the choice, but I personally enjoy topping the Cheese Danish with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of strawberry jam and 1 teaspoon of water. After that, all that’s left is to enjoy your meal and receive compliments!
To fully utilize the package’s two sheets of puff pastry, you have the option to double this recipe effortlessly (particularly recommended for brunch, as the Cheese Danish will disappear quickly!). Additionally, you can utilize the second sheet of puff pastry to prepare our delightful Easy Quiche Lorraine or Spinach Pie!
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