Description
This Cheese Danish recipe features flaky, buttery puff pastry filled with a creamy, tangy cream cheese mixture. Easy to prepare at home using frozen puff pastry sheets, these elegant pastries are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful dessert. A sweet glaze drizzled over the cooled pastries adds the perfect finishing touch.
Ingredients
Pastry
- 1 box (17.3 oz / 320 g) frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg + 2 teaspoons water (for egg wash)
Filling
- 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
- ¼ cup (30 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (included in glaze as per instructions)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C), or 160°C for a fan oven. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, egg yolk, powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk together until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Roll Puff Pastry: Using a rolling pin, roll out the thawed puff pastry into a 12×12-inch (30×30 cm) square on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut and Fold Pastry Squares: Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the dough into nine 4-inch squares. For each square, fold each corner about 1 inch toward the center, pressing gently to seal and create a pinwheel shape.
- Fill Pastries: With a small 1 tablespoon cookie scoop or spoon, place a scoop of the cream cheese filling into the center of each folded puff pastry square.
- Apply Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg and 2 teaspoons of water. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the edges of each pastry around the filling with the egg wash to help them brown beautifully.
- Bake: Place the pastries on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 16 to 18 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through baking to ensure even browning. The pastries should be golden and puffed.
- Cool: Remove the pastries from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before glazing.
- Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon of milk and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Add milk gradually to achieve a thick but pourable icing.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the glaze over each cooled pastry using a spoon or piping bag. Allow the glaze to set slightly before serving for a beautiful finish.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Do not over-roll the puff pastry; keep it about 12×12 inches to maintain flakiness.
- Folding the corners toward the center creates a decorative shape and holds the filling in place.
- Egg wash is essential for golden, glossy pastries.
- Cool pastries completely before glazing to prevent the icing from melting.
- Leftover pastries can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Danish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Danish
