Delicate puff pastry filled with a cream cheese filling and topped with a light, sweet drizzle.
Cream cheese danish is perfect for serving for breakfast, brunch or dessert. and is perfect for the holidays!
I've been on a puff pastry trend lately. I've been making my easy puff pastry and then I've been using the puff pastry to make all sorts of yummy treats. These cream cheese danishes are my latest!
Prior to these danishes I also made puff pastry baked eggs, cheese straws and of course my favorite chicken pot pie! Talk about delicious!
One of the things I love best about all these recipes, besides being delicious, is they look so impressive, but they really aren't very difficult to make.
Key ingredients
- Puff pastry - Make your own, I use a quick puff pastry recipe, or buy at the store. I've made it both ways and both are amazing.
- Cream cheese - You want to real stuff here. Don't substitute a low fat version. Make certain cream cheese is at room temperature, otherwise it will be difficult to get it creamy
- Powdered sugar - Added to the cream cheese and used for the glaze that's drizzled on after baking
- Lemon juice - Fresh squeezed is best
- Vanilla - Pure extract!
Variations
- Berries - I used frozen berries, straight from the freezer. No need to thaw. Just add a few of your favorites right in the center of the cream cheese mixture. You can also use fresh berries. Some favorites include blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and huckleberries
- Jam - Add a dollop of jam right in the center of the cream cheese. I've used both apricot jam and raspberry jam and they both were a hit!
- Pie Filling - Sweeten things up a bit more by adding a dollop of prepared pie filling right in the center of the danish! Try using apple pie filling or cherry pie filling. Use ones you've made or use store bought.
Step by step instructions
- Mix cream cheese until smooth. Add egg yolk, powdered sugar, lemon juice and vanilla. Mix until well combined.
- Roll out the puff pastry dough and slice into 3x3" pieces and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Brush the top of each square with egg white
- Add a tablespoon of cream cheese mixture to the center of the puff pastry squares
- Add a few berries, if desired
- Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 15 minutes
- Remove from oven and allow danish to cool on baking sheet
- Mix glaze and drizzle over danishes
Baking tips
- Don't worry about cutting the puff pastry into perfectly even squares
- Make certain oven is fully preheated before baking
- If using berries, fresh or frozen work fine. No need to defrost frozen berries.
- Serve the same day, or once fully cooled store in an airtight container in a single layer
- Don't skip the glaze. It's what makes these danishes seem like they are from your favorite bakery.
More breakfast and brunch ideas
For the holidays or special occasions, I love to make a delicious breakfast or brunch. Along with these danishes, I love to serve
- Cheesy Baked Eggs
- Pork and Apple Breakfast Sausages
- Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
- Freshly Brewed Coffee
- Hot Chocolate - for those who don't want coffee
- Homemade Muffins - I like to mix it up and often make oatmeal banana muffins, cranberry muffins or bran muffins with honey butter.
More breakfast recipes
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Cream Cheese Danish
Ingredients
Filling
- 4 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 egg yolk (save white for brushing on puff pastry)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ t vanilla
Pastry
- 2 sheets puff pastry (homemade or store bought)
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon water
Icing
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons milk
- 2 drops vanilla
- Fresh or frozen berries, jam or pie filling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Filling
- Whip the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth4 ounces cream cheese
- Add powdered sugar, egg yolk, lemon juice and vanilla. Whip until smooth¼ cup powdered sugar, 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, ½ t vanilla
Pastry
- Roll out puff pastry until smooth. Divide each sheet into 9 squares (3"x3"). Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.2 sheets puff pastry
- Whip egg white and water together in a bowl with a fork. Brush mixture over entire surface of puff pastry.1 egg white, 1 tablespoon water
- Place a tablespoon of cream cheese mixture in the center of each puff pastry square. Add fruit, jam or pie filling on top of cream cheese, if using.Fresh or frozen berries, jam or pie filling
- Bake in preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until pastry is golden brown
- Remove from oven and allow danishes to cool on baking sheet.
Icing
- Combine remaining powdered sugar, milk and vanilla together in a bowl. Mix until smooth. The icing should be runny. Add additional milk if needed.½ cup powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons milk, 2 drops vanilla
- Using a spoon, drizzle icing over the top of the pastries. Allow icing to dry.
- Serve or store in an airtight container for up to one day.
Notes
- Don't worry about cutting the puff pastry into perfectly even squares
- Make certain oven is fully preheated before baking
- If using berries, fresh or frozen work fine. No need to defrost frozen berries.
- Serve the same day, or once fully cooled store in an airtight container in a single layer
- Don't skip the glaze. It's what makes these danishes seem like they are from your favorite bakery.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Valentina says
Another beautiful recipe, Kathy. My mom used to make something similar for breakfast and it was a huge treat! I'd love it with coffee. (I love the coffee mug in your photo, BTW. So pretty!) 🙂 ~Valentina
Kathy says
Thanks! And I've had that mug for years. I think I bought two while I was still in college.
David @ Spiced says
Using puff pastry to make these danishes is such a great idea! The flaky crust would pair perfectly with the creamy filling. Laura is a huge fan of Danish pastries, and I'm thinking I should make her a batch of these on Christmas morning! And I agree with Dawn here - coffee is a must!
Kathy says
Always best with a cup of coffee! 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I adore cream cheese desserts so these are totally calling my name! These need to happen so, perfect with a big ol' cup of coffee 🙂
Kathy says
The cream cheese is so delicious in these danishes!