Indulge in the effortless decadence of this Easy Cheese Danish recipe, a perfect blend of tender, flaky puff pastry and luscious cream cheese filling. Ready in just 35 minutes, this quick and easy dessert or breakfast treat pairs light, golden-brown pastry with a velvety mix of cream cheese, a hint of vanilla, and a touch of lemon juice for a subtly tangy sweetness. The recipe is beginner-friendly, thanks to pre-made puff pastry sheets, and features an elegant appearance with just a few simple scoring and filling techniques. Whether dusted with powdered sugar or enjoyed plain, these cheese danishes are ideal for brunch, coffee breaks, or last-minute entertaining, serving up to 8 guests with ease.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Take the puff pastry sheets out of the freezer and allow them to thaw according to package instructions (usually about 10 minutes).
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and egg yolk. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy.
Cut each puff pastry sheet into 4 equal squares to create a total of 8 squares.
Using a knife, slightly score a smaller square inside each puff pastry square, leaving about a 1/2-inch border. Be careful not to cut all the way through.
Place a spoonful of the cream cheese filling (approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons) in the center of each square and evenly spread it inside the scored border.
Beat the remaining egg in a small bowl to create an egg wash. Brush the edges of each puff pastry square lightly with the egg wash to help create a golden-brown finish.
Transfer the prepared danishes to the lined baking sheet, spacing them out evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
Allow the danishes to cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving.
Calories |
2010 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 126.2 g | 162% | |
| Saturated Fat | 59.4 g | 297% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 632 mg | 211% | |
| Sodium | 1268 mg | 55% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 197.1 g | 72% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.1 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 141.4 g | ||
| Protein | 30.1 g | 60% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.8 mcg | 9% | |
| Calcium | 283 mg | 22% | |
| Iron | 4.3 mg | 24% | |
| Potassium | 498 mg | 11% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.