These easy breakfast cheese danishes are a delightful treat made with puff pastry, a sweet cream cheese filling, and a simple glaze. They’re surprisingly simple to make and offer a flaky, creamy, and sweet start to your day.
Ingredients:
- For the Danishes:
- 1 package (14.1 ounces) frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed but still cold
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: Fruit preserves (such as strawberry, raspberry, or apricot)
- For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
Instructions:
- Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy.
- Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Assemble the Danishes:
- Unfold one sheet of puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface. If it’s a large sheet, you can cut it into 4 equal squares. Many packages contain two sheets; use one sheet at a time.
- For each square (or section of the sheet if you’re not cutting), place a spoonful (about 1-2 tablespoons) of the cream cheese filling in the center.
- If desired, top the cream cheese filling with a small spoonful of fruit preserves.
- To create the classic danish shape, bring two opposite corners of each square towards the center and pinch them lightly to secure. Alternatively, you can simply fold the edges slightly inward to create a border around the filling.
- Bake the Danishes:
- Place the assembled danishes onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and puffed up.
- Make the Glaze:
- While the danishes are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk in a small bowl until smooth and drizzly. Add more milk if needed to reach the desired consistency.
- Glaze and Serve:
- Once the danishes are out of the oven, let them cool slightly on the baking sheet.
- Drizzle the glaze over the warm danishes.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips and Notes:
- Thawing Puff Pastry: While the puff pastry should be thawed enough to unfold, it should still be cold to ensure flakiness. Don’t let it get too warm.
- Filling Variations: You can add a touch of lemon zest to the cream cheese filling for extra brightness.
- Fruit Options: Feel free to use fresh sliced fruit (like berries or thinly sliced peaches) on top of the cream cheese filling before baking.
- Egg Wash (Optional): For an even more golden crust, you can brush the puff pastry with a beaten egg before baking.
- Storage: Store leftover danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Enjoy your easy and delicious homemade cheese danishes!