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Cheese Danish

Cheese Danish
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Experience the delight of homemade Cheese Danish, featuring flaky, buttery pastry layers paired with a smooth, creamy cheese filling that perfectly balances sweetness and tang. This beginner-friendly recipe yields bakery-quality results ideal for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, allowing customization to fit your taste or dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • ½ cup cold milk or heavy cream

For the Cream Cheese Filling

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or zest

For the Topping and Finishing

  • 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
  • 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
  • Optional icing sugar glaze or powdered sugar for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the cold unsalted butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with visible pea-sized butter pieces. Add cold milk or heavy cream and gently mix until the dough just begins to form. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least one hour to allow the butter to firm up again, ensuring optimal flakiness.
  2. Make the Cream Cheese Filling: While the dough chills, beat together softened cream cheese, sugar, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and fresh lemon juice or zest until smooth and creamy with no lumps, creating a velvety filling for the Danish.
  3. Roll and Shape the Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Cut into squares or rectangles according to your preference. Place a generous spoonful of cream cheese filling in the center of each piece, then fold or pinch the edges to form neat envelopes or open-top Danish shapes.
  4. Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the prepared Danish on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with an egg wash made from one beaten egg yolk mixed with water to achieve a shiny, golden crust. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 18–22 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
  5. Add the Finishing Touch: After cooling slightly, drizzle the Danish with icing sugar glaze or sprinkle powdered sugar for added sweetness and an attractive finish.

Notes

  • Keep all ingredients cold for flakier pastry layers.
  • Handle dough gently and minimally to avoid toughening the pastry.
  • Roll dough evenly for consistent baking and texture.
  • Use high-quality full-fat cream cheese for the best filling flavor and texture.
  • Chill assembled Danish briefly before baking to maintain shape and promote browning.
  • Check baking progress near the end to prevent burning or undercooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cheese Danish, homemade pastry, cream cheese filling, breakfast pastry, brunch dessert, flaky pastry, easy Danish recipe

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