Easy cheese danish with puff pastry are bakery quality but simple to make at home. They are perfect for breakfast with flaky, buttery puff pastry and a cream cheese filling!
Cream Cheese Danish
Whether you’re recreating the beloved Starbucks cheese danish or adding your own twist with unique fillings, this recipe is bound to become a staple breakfast recipe.
Cream cheese danish is easy to make with frozen puff pastry dough and a sweet cream cheese filling. No need to be a pastry chef, this recipe turns out with perfect flaky texture every time!
Two other favorite recipes to make at home include these apple turnovers and crepes!
Ingredient Notes
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Frozen puff pastry, thawed: The base of your Danish, offering a buttery and flaky texture.
- Cream cheese, softened: I use the brick style for the best results.
- Filling: Sugar, egg yolk, lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla add sweetness and flavor to the cream cheese filling.
- Egg wash: 1 large egg with 2 teaspoons water – gives the Danish a beautiful golden sheen.
- Powdered sugar glaze: A simple mix of powdered sugar, heavy cream (or milk), vanilla, and a pinch of salt for drizzling.
How to Make Cheese Danish with Puff Pastry
Mix the cream cheese filling ingredients until smooth, ensuring a rich and creamy texture.
Cut and shape the thawed but still cold puff pastry, add the filling then place danish on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Prepare danish for baking with an egg wash and a sprinkle of sugar.
Put the baking sheet in the oven and watch as the danishes transform, puffing up and turning golden brown.
Allow cream cheese danishes to cool slightly before drizzling with the optional glaze for that final sweet flourish.
Puff Pastry Danish Variations
Make a couple of small tweaks to customize this recipe to your own taste preferences!
- Filling options: Beyond cream cheese, add some cherry pie filling, a dollop of jam, fresh berries, or a sprinkling of chocolate chips before baking.
- Flavor enhancers: Instead of vanilla extract, use almond extract.
- Glaze alternatives: Skip the glaze, opt for a dusting of powdered sugar or try a cream cheese glaze or orange glaze!
Storage
- Store: These cream cheese danishes keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, making them a fantastic make-ahead option for busy mornings.
- Freeze: For longer storage, freeze danish recipe for up to 2 months, and reheat them gently in a 350°F oven for a just-baked taste.
More sweet pastry recipes for breakfast include this pop tarts recipe, donut recipe, my croissant breakfast casserole and overnight cinnamon rolls.
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Cheese Danish with Puff Pastry
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound box frozen puff pastry , 2 sheets thawed
- 8 ounces cream cheese , softened
- 3-4 Tablespoons sugar , plus more for dusting
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon juice and zest
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons water
Glaze (optional)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla
- pinch of salt
Optional fillings: Cherry pie filling
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make filling: Combine 8 ounces cream cheese, 3-4 Tablespoons sugar, 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in a bowl. Mix with a hand mixer until smooth.
- Cut: Unroll the thawed pastry sheet and press seams together if needed. Cut into 4 squares. Press each corner in about an inch to form an octagon. Place on baking sheet.
- Fill: Use a medium cookie scoop (or about 1 1/2 Tablespoons) to scoop and add filling into the center of the dough. Press fillings into cream if desired.
- Egg wash: Whisk 1 egg and 2 Tablespoons water in a small bowl. Brush on the tops of the dough. Then dust with a sprinkle of sugar.
- Bake: Bake cheese danishes in the oven for 18-20 minutes or until golden. Let cool on a cooling rack.
- Glaze: Whisk 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 2 Tablespoons cream and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla in a bowl until smooth. Drizzle on top of cooled danishes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Breakfast, Nut-Free, Reader Favorites, Sweet Breakfast
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
This baked cheese danish is so good and turned out amazing! My kids loved it so much, it’s now one of their favorites!
oh my gosh, I love a good cheese danish, and this one is amazing! thank you so much for sharing!
We loved these so much. Easy to make and perfect with my coffee!