Ready for a bakery-worthy treat you can make at home? This cream cheese Danish is a delicious pastry filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture nestled between flaky, braided puff pastry and drizzled with glaze. It’s the perfect Danish bursting with creamy cheesecake filling the whole family will enjoy.
I’m a pastry fiend, and Danishes are one of my favorites. I love them in all forms, from fancy options to simple, traditional cream cheese-filled Danishes. That’s what you get with this recipe. It’s a classic braided Danish loaded with a sweet and tangy cream cheese filling and features that classic braided shape. It’s easy and delicious. You can’t beat that for a party, dessert, or breakfast.
Cream Cheese Danish
This sweet treat starts with a puff pastry base. I lay it out flat and cut strips into the outer third of each side. Then, I fill the center with a sweet and tangy homemade cream cheese filling and braid the strips over the top. Then, I brush the entire thing with egg wash and bake until the middle is hot and creamy and the outside is golden and flaky. It’s a quick and easy recipe that’s as good as anything you’ll find in any bakery and so much fresher. I love to serve this for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or snacking!
Why You’ll Love This Cream Cheese Danish Recipe
- It’s a delicious cheese pastry braid made with store-bought puff pastry, which means you get all the delicious flakiness without the time commitment of making dough from scratch.
- The cream cheese filling is sweet and creamy, perfectly complements the buttery, flaky pastry, and the flavor combination is irresistible.
- The Danish braid is easy to customize with different mix-ins with the cream cheese filling, such as chopped nuts or fresh fruit.
Cream Cheese Danish Ingredients
You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. Outside of the puff pastry, you might not have to shop for anything!
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla create the classic, sweet and tangy cream cheese filling.
- Puff Pastry: Puff pastry bakes up light and flaky.
- Milk and Vanilla: Milk, vanilla, and some powdered sugar create a simple, sweet glaze.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
How to Make Cream Cheese Danish
Making this Danish is far simpler than its braided appearance makes it seem. It’s incredibly quick and easy, and it makes the perfect introduction to pastries.
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Mixture
Beat the cream cheese in a medium bowl for 2 to 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Then, add the sugar and vanilla and beat for another 2 minutes.
Step 3: Add the Filling
Gently open up the mostly thawed puff pastry sheet and roll it out a few times on a lightly floured surface until it creates a square. Then, add half the cream cheese mixture down the center of the pastry in heaping spoonfuls, leaving 1 ½ inches of space at each end. Repeat with the other pastry sheet.
Step 4: Braid
Cut two 1-inch slits at each end of the pastry and fold them over the top of the filling, securing them to prevent leaking while baking. Then, cut the side pieces on an angle into strips, stopping just short of the filling. fold the slices over the top, creating a braided appearance.
Step 5: Bake
Whisk the egg and water in a small bowl and brush it over the pastry. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. Then, set the pastries aside to cool.
Step 6: Make the Drizzle
When the pastries have cooled, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl. Drizzle over the pastries and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Your puff pastry should be as cold as possible while still pliable. DO NOT thaw it out completely.
- Cut the sides of the pastry sheets after you’ve added the filling so you don’t have to guess where to stop.
- Fully soften your cream cheese to ensure the smoothest, creamiest filling possible.
Variations
- Add your favorite fruit filling to the pastry for a fruity cream cheese pastry.
- Add a little lemon juice to the filling for a citrus blast of flavor.
- Try adding lemon juice instead of milk to make a lemon glaze.
What to Serve with Cheese Danish
Coffee or tea is the classic pairing for cheese Danish. Kids can enjoy it with a glass of milk. You can pair this with fresh fruit and a little chocolate for a truly decadent dessert or afternoon treat. A slice of this Danish is also great for a sweet addition to a larger breakfast with your favorite savory options.
Recipe FAQ
The cheese most often associated with Denmark is Havarti. It’s a semi-soft, springy cheese with a buttery, slightly sweet flavor and a hint of tang.
Cream cheese Danish filling is made with cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and oftentimes, lemon juice.
Yes. Anything made with cream cheese should be refrigerated, even if it’s been baked. The high moisture content of this dairy product make it the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
Yes, you can. These Danishes will stay fresh for up to a month in the freezer.
There are a few popular, famous Danish pastries. Brunsviger is a cake with crater-filled dough and a thick layer of brown sugar and butter. Snegl is a cinnamon roll-style pastry with flaky pastry, cinnamon paste, vanilla custard, and icing. Finally, Spandauer is a pastry with custard cream in the middle.
How to Store Leftover Cheese Danish
Place these Danishes in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to a month in an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight, and set out an hour before serving.
Try This Delicious Easy Cheese Danish Today
With simple ingredients, and easy recipe, and a boatload of classic Danish pastry flavor, this is one recipe you have to try. This braided cream cheese Danish has all the flavor you love about Danishes from the bakery, but you won’t get them any fresher than straight from you oven. They’re the perfect breakfast, brunch, or snack, and everyone loves them. Give them a try, and I know you’ll fall in love with them, too.
More Delicious Pastry Braid Recipes You’ll Enjoy
This Cherry Puff Pastry is a delicious braided pastry recipe loaded with a sweet cream cheese mixture and a fresh cherry filling, all wrapped in flaky, golden puff pastry, and drizzled with glaze.
Cream Cheese Danish
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces full fat cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoon water
Glaze Drizzle
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 box puff pastry sheets
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Cream Cheese Mixture
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add sugar and vanilla. Beat for 2 more minutes.
- Add a heaping spoonful of cream cheese mixture to the center of each pastry.
Pastry
- Gently open up the mostly thawed puff pastry sheet and roll a few times until square on a lightly floured surface.
- Spoon half of the popper filling mixture down the center of each puff pastry, leaving about 1 ½ inch free from filling at each end.
- Cut two slits at each end of pastry about 1 inch long and fold over the top of the filling and secure to prevent mixture from leaking out while baking.
- Next, cut off the top and bottom side pieces at an angle and continue to make cuts into the pastry along each side making sure not to cut too close to the filling.
- Once the ends have been secured, start folding each piece over each other like a braid and secure.
Egg Wash
- In a small bowl, whisk together egg and water.
- Brush egg wash over both pastries, place on prepared baking sheet, and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition
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