Description
This Easy Cheese Danish Recipe combines flaky puff pastry with a creamy, sweetened cream cheese filling and fresh berries, topped with a simple lemon glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful dessert, this recipe yields 12 beautiful cheese danishes with a balance of tangy, sweet, and fruity flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry
- 1 lb puff pastry (2 sheets), thawed
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk, room temperature
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
Fruit Topping
- 1 1/2 cups mixed berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries)
Egg Wash
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbsp water
Lemon Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Puff Pastry: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into 6 equal squares, yielding 12 squares in total.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Danishes: Place a spoonful of the cream cheese filling in the center of each puff pastry square. Top with a few mixed berries, pressing them slightly into the filling without breaking the pastry edges.
- Shape the Danishes: Fold the corners of each square towards the center, pinching slightly to seal if desired, or leave open-faced as preferred.
- Apply Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Brush the edges of the pastry squares (or the entire top if open-faced) with the egg wash to achieve a golden-brown finish when baked.
- Bake the Danishes: Arrange the assembled pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown.
- Prepare the Lemon Glaze: While the danishes bake, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth.
- Glaze and Serve: Remove the danishes from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes. Drizzle the lemon glaze over the warm danishes. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature for smooth mixing.
- If fresh berries are not available, frozen berries can be used but thaw and drain them to avoid soggy pastries.
- The puff pastry must be properly thawed but cold for best puff and texture.
- For variation, try adding almond extract to the cream cheese filling.
- Store leftover danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat gently before serving.
