Cheese Danish Delight Recipe

Introduction

Cheese Danish Delight is a buttery, flaky pastry filled with a sweet and creamy cheese mixture. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat, these homemade Danishes bring bakery-quality flavor right to your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash)
• 1/4 cup cold water (added gradually)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Step 2: Gradually add 1/4 cup of cold water, mixing until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overwork it. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. Step 3: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Step 4: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the dough into squares, approximately 4×4 inches.
5. Step 5: In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
6. Step 6: Place a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each dough square. Fold the corners of the square towards the center to create a pocket and pinch to seal.
7. Step 7: In a small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and milk. Brush the egg wash over each Danish.
8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use cold butter and cold water to keep the dough flaky and tender.
• For extra flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon or lemon zest to the cream cheese filling.
• Try topping the Danishes with a light drizzle of glaze made from powdered sugar and milk once cooled.
• If you prefer, fold the dough corners over differently to create a triangle or rectangle shape for variety.

Storage

Store leftover Cheese Danish in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat gently in a low oven or toaster oven to restore crispiness before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen puff pastry instead of making the dough from scratch?

Yes, using store-bought puff pastry is a great shortcut and will still yield delicious Danishes. Just thaw according to package instructions before filling and baking.

How do I prevent the pastry from becoming soggy?

Make sure not to overfill the Danishes and seal the dough corners well. Baking on parchment paper and brushing with egg wash helps create a protective crust, keeping the pastry crisp.

Cheese Danish Delight Recipe

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Cheese Danish Delight is a flaky, buttery pastry filled with a smooth and sweet cream cheese mixture. This recipe combines a homemade pastry dough with a luscious cream cheese filling, baked to golden perfection for a delicious breakfast treat or dessert.

• Author: Caleb
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 Cheese Danishes 1x
• Category: Pastry
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pastry Dough

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup cold water

Cream Cheese Filling

• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Egg Wash

• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

1. Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Form the dough: Gradually add 1/4 cup of cold water, mixing gently until the dough comes together. Avoid overworking to keep the pastry flaky. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill.
3. Preheat oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
4. Roll and cut dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into squares approximately 4×4 inches in size.
5. Make the filling: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy.
6. Assemble the Danishes: Spoon about a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each dough square. Fold the corners towards the center to form a pocket and pinch the edges together to seal the filling inside.
7. Apply egg wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and milk. Brush this egg wash over each Danish to give a golden, shiny finish after baking.
8. Bake: Place the prepared Danishes on the lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
9. Cool and serve: Allow the Danishes to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving, so the filling sets a bit and the pastry remains crisp.

Notes

• Ensure the butter is very cold to help create a flaky pastry texture.
• Do not overmix the dough once the water is added; overworking develops gluten and toughens the pastry.
• Chilling the dough is crucial for easy rolling and better layers.
• You can add lemon zest to the cream cheese filling for a citrus twist.
• If desired, drizzle with a simple icing made from powdered sugar and milk after baking.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.

Keywords: Cheese Danish, Cream Cheese Pastry, Homemade Danish, Breakfast Pastry, Sweet Pastry