🎉 Introduction
There’s nothing quite like biting into a warm, buttery Homemade Cheese Danish — crisp, golden layers of puff pastry wrapped around a creamy, sweet cheese filling that melts in your mouth. 🧀💛
This bakery-worthy pastry is surprisingly easy to make at home, with minimal effort and maximum payoff. The cream cheese filling is rich and slightly tangy, the pastry is crisp and flaky, and the drizzle of vanilla glaze on top adds just the right touch of sweetness.
Whether you’re serving brunch, entertaining guests, or treating yourself to a cozy morning, this recipe delivers that classic Danish flavor — fresh from your own oven! 🥐☕
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or hand mixer
- Pastry brush
- Knife or pizza cutter
- Measuring cups and spoons
🛒 Ingredients
For the Pastry:
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
- 1 large egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon milk or cream
For the Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest (optional for brightness)
- 1 tablespoon sour cream or Greek yogurt (for extra creaminess)
For the Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the Cheese Filling
In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, lemon zest, and sour cream until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Pastry
- Roll out the puff pastry slightly on a lightly floured surface to even out the edges.
- Cut into 6 equal squares (or rectangles if you prefer larger Danishes).
Step 4: Assemble the Danishes
- Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cheese filling into the center of each square.
- Fold or shape as desired:
- Classic Fold: Bring two opposite corners toward the center and press lightly to seal.
- Open-Faced: Leave the filling exposed for a traditional bakery look.
- Whisk the egg and milk together for the egg wash, then brush the edges of each pastry.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
💡 Pro Tip: Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning.
Step 6: Cool & Glaze
Let the Danishes cool for 5–10 minutes before drizzling with glaze.
To make the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over the warm pastries and enjoy!
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 6 pastries
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerate: Keep for up to 5 days — reheat gently before serving.
- Freeze: Freeze baked (unglazed) Danishes for up to 1 month; reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
💡 Reheat Tip: Avoid microwaving — it softens the pastry. Use a toaster oven or air fryer for best results.
🥄 Variations
- Fruit-Topped Cheese Danish: Add fruit preserves or fresh berries on top before baking.
- Cinnamon Sugar Danish: Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the cheese filling.
- Lemon Cheese Danish: Add 1 tablespoon lemon curd to the filling for tangy brightness.
- Chocolate Swirl: Drizzle melted chocolate before serving for extra indulgence.
- Nutella Danish: Replace half the filling with a spoon of Nutella.
- Berry Cream Cheese: Swirl in raspberry or strawberry jam.
- Savory Danish: Omit sugar and use herbed cream cheese with spinach or smoked salmon.
- Almond Danish: Add almond extract to the filling and top with sliced almonds.
- Pumpkin Spice Danish: Add 2 tablespoons pumpkin purée and pumpkin spice for fall vibes.
- Mini Danish Bites: Cut pastry into small squares and bake for bite-sized treats.
❓ 10 FAQs
- Can I use crescent roll dough instead of puff pastry?
Yes — it’s a great shortcut and gives a slightly softer, breadier texture. - Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble and refrigerate overnight, then bake fresh in the morning. - Do I need to soften the cream cheese?
Absolutely — it makes the filling smooth and lump-free. - Can I skip the glaze?
Sure, but it adds that signature bakery sweetness. - Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes — use dairy-free puff pastry and vegan cream cheese. - Can I add jam before or after baking?
Either works! Baking it together gives a richer flavor, while adding after keeps it bright and fruity. - How do I prevent soggy pastry bottoms?
Make sure your baking sheet is hot and avoid overfilling. - Can I use phyllo dough instead of puff pastry?
You can, but the result will be lighter and crispier. - Can I make a large Danish instead of individual ones?
Definitely — make one big rectangle and slice after baking. - How do I make the edges stay crisp?
Cool them on a wire rack so steam doesn’t soften the layers.
🏁 Conclusion
This Homemade Cheese Danish is buttery, flaky, and just the right amount of sweet — the kind of treat that makes your kitchen smell like a European bakery. Each bite is filled with creamy vanilla cheesecake flavor nestled in crisp, golden pastry layers.
They’re quick to make, easy to customize, and absolutely unforgettable. Whether for brunch, breakfast, or dessert, this Danish is pure comfort wrapped in pastry perfection. 🥐✨
🥐🧀✨ Homemade Cheese Danish – Buttery, Flaky & Creamy Bakery-Style Delight!
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Ingredients
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Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, lemon zest, and sour cream until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Roll out the puff pastry slightly on a lightly floured surface to even out the edges.
- Cut into 6 equal squares (or rectangles if you prefer larger Danishes).
- Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cheese filling into the center of each square.
- Fold or shape as desired:
- Classic Fold: Bring two opposite corners toward the center and press lightly to seal.
- Open-Faced: Leave the filling exposed for a traditional bakery look.
- Whisk the egg and milk together for the egg wash, then brush the edges of each pastry.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
- Let the Danishes cool for 5–10 minutes before drizzling with glaze.
- To make the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over the warm pastries and enjoy!
Notes
Yes — it’s a great shortcut and gives a slightly softer, breadier texture. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble and refrigerate overnight, then bake fresh in the morning. Do I need to soften the cream cheese?
Absolutely — it makes the filling smooth and lump-free. Can I skip the glaze?
Sure, but it adds that signature bakery sweetness. Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes — use dairy-free puff pastry and vegan cream cheese. Can I add jam before or after baking?
Either works! Baking it together gives a richer flavor, while adding after keeps it bright and fruity. How do I prevent soggy pastry bottoms?
Make sure your baking sheet is hot and avoid overfilling. Can I use phyllo dough instead of puff pastry?
You can, but the result will be lighter and crispier. Can I make a large Danish instead of individual ones?
Definitely — make one big rectangle and slice after baking. How do I make the edges stay crisp?
Cool them on a wire rack so steam doesn’t soften the layers. 🏁 Conclusion This Homemade Cheese Danish is buttery, flaky, and just the right amount of sweet — the kind of treat that makes your kitchen smell like a European bakery. Each bite is filled with creamy vanilla cheesecake flavor nestled in crisp, golden pastry layers. They’re quick to make, easy to customize, and absolutely unforgettable. Whether for brunch, breakfast, or dessert, this Danish is pure comfort wrapped in pastry perfection. 🥐✨
