Description
Cream Cheese Danish is a golden, flaky pastry with a sweet, tangy cream cheese center. Perfect for brunch, dessert, or a cozy breakfast, this easy-to-make Danish looks stunning and tastes even better. Customize it with fruit or glaze for an extra special treat.
Ingredients
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
4 oz cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
1 egg, beaten
Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Fresh berries for garnish (optional)
1/2 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
1 to 2 teaspoons milk (for glaze)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice until smooth.
3. Roll out puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and transfer to baking sheet.
4. Score pastry into thirds lengthwise and slice outer thirds into 1-inch strips.
5. Spread cream cheese filling down the center third of the pastry.
6. Fold the strips over the filling, alternating sides to create a braid.
7. Tuck in the ends and brush the top with beaten egg.
8. Bake for 18–22 minutes until golden and puffed.
9. Cool on a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with glaze. Garnish with berries if desired.
Notes
Keep puff pastry cold while working with it.
Do not overfill to avoid leaks and soggy texture.
Make ahead by assembling the night before and baking fresh.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: cream cheese danish, puff pastry danish, easy brunch recipe