Print

Cheese Danish

Cheese Danish
Print Recipe

Learn how to make the best homemade Cheese Danish with tender, flaky layers of dough filled with a rich, tangy cream cheese filling. This simplified recipe is perfect for bakers of all skill levels, delivering bakery-quality pastries that are creamy, sweet, and irresistibly flaky. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a delicious snack, this versatile Danish can be customized with various fillings and toppings to suit your taste preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 1/2 cup cold milk or cream

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)

Finishing Ingredients

  • 1 egg yolk or milk (for brushing)
  • Powdered sugar (for dusting or glaze)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Danish Dough: In a large bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, salt, and granulated sugar. Add the cold unsalted butter cubes and quickly work them into the flour mixture until pea-sized lumps form, crucial for flakiness. Gradually add the cold milk or cream and gently mix just until the dough comes together; avoid overworking. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour to firm up.
  2. Make the Cream Cheese Filling: While the dough chills, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and optional lemon zest until smooth and creamy. The filling should be thick yet spreadable, ready to be placed inside the dough.
  3. Roll Out and Shape the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the dough into squares or rectangles based on your preferred shape. Spoon a generous amount of cream cheese filling onto each piece, then fold or shape the dough to encase the filling, creating classic Danish folds or pinwheels.
  4. Proof and Add Finishing Touches: Place the shaped Danishes on a parchment-lined baking tray and let them rest at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes. This proofing step helps to create a lighter texture. Before baking, brush each pastry with beaten egg yolk or milk to achieve a golden, shiny finish.
  5. Bake Until Golden and Flaky: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the Danishes for 18 to 22 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the filling is set but still creamy. Allow them to cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar or add glaze for an irresistible bakery-style finish.

Notes

  • Keep all ingredients, especially butter and dough, cold to achieve perfect flakiness.
  • Avoid overmixing or overworking the dough to prevent tough pastry.
  • Proper proofing of shaped Danishes is important for a light, airy texture.
  • Use room temperature cream cheese for a smooth, lump-free filling.
  • Adjust sugar in the filling according to your desired sweetness.
  • Seal dough edges firmly to prevent filling leakage during baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cheese Danish, cream cheese pastry, flaky pastry, breakfast pastry, homemade Danish, cream cheese filling, flaky layers

Find it online: https://mealsbymary.com/cheese-danish/