Description
Flaky, golden puff pastry filled with a sweet cream cheese center and finished with a vanilla glaze — these homemade cheese Danishes are bakery-level delicious yet surprisingly easy to make.
Ingredients
Scale
- Pastry:
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp water
- Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
- Glaze (optional):
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk or cream
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- 💡 Tip: Use all-butter puff pastry for the best flavor and flakiness.
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Prep the Pastry: Unfold the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 8 equal squares.
- Fill and Fold: Add 1 tablespoon of cream cheese mixture to the center of each square. Fold corners toward the middle and press lightly to seal.
- Brush with Egg Wash: Whisk egg and water together, then brush the tops and edges of each Danish.
- Bake: Place pastries on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 16–18 minutes or until golden brown and puffed.
- Add Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Once Danishes are cool, drizzle glaze on top before serving.
Notes
For fruit variation, top cream cheese filling with a spoon of jam or fresh berries before baking. Best enjoyed warm or within a day of baking for ultimate flakiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Danish
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg