This delightful cheese danish recipe is easy to prepare with impressive results. Puff pastry dough is twisted into braided pinwheels, which cradles a sweet cream cheese filling. Baked to flaky perfection and drizzled with a sweet glaze, these danishes are delicious and are sure to turn breakfast or brunch into a special occasion.
If you ever – EVER – ask me if I’d like a pastry or danish, my answer will always be an emphatic yes. I just love them, and I love making them. I used to always buy them, but then I realized it was cheaper and fresher to make my own. I’ve been doing it ever since. Now, you’ve seen all kinds of fruity pastries on my site, but believe it or not, I like to keep things basic, too. This cheese danish is a favorite classic that’s nothing but puff pastry and a sweet cream cheese filling. It’s the danish we all think about when we think about pastries and coffee. It’s absolutely delicious, and it’s super easy. I make these all the time for myself and my guy or for parties because they’re so good, and they require very little work.
Cheese Danish
This recipe starts with puff pasty strips that I twist into a braid and then wrap to create pinwheels. I top them with a sweet, homemade cream cheese filling just like the kind from the bakery, brush the pastries with egg wash, and bake them until golden. After that, I just let them cool a bit and drizzle them with a simple vanilla glaze. It’s that easy! It only takes about 45 minutes from start to finish. It would take even less time, but the pastries need to cool a little before you add the glaze.
Why You’ll Love This Cheese Danish Recipe
- They have a delicious combination of flavors between the buttery puff pasty, the sweet cream cheese filling, and the glaze drizzle.
- The braided pinwheel adds a touch of elegance and looks fancy but is surprisingly easy to make.
- It’s a versatile danish recipe that can be customized by adding different fruit fillings, drizzling with different glazes, or even adding different nuts.
Cheese Danish Ingredients
The cream cheese filling and vanilla glaze require only a few simple ingredients, and they, along with the puff pastry dough, can be easily found at any grocery store.
- Cream Cheese and Egg Yolk: Combined with sugar and a couple of other ingredients, cream cheese and egg yolk create a rich, creamy filling.
- Powdered Milk and Milk: Along with vanilla, these make a classic vanilla glaze drizzle.
- Puff Pastry Sheets: You can’t have a buttery, flaky pastry without puff pastry!
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a complete list of ingredients and their amounts.
How to Make Cheese Danishes
This recipe only requires a little braiding, twisting, and filling. It’s an easy recipe you can put together in a matter of minutes.
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the Pinwheels
Cut each pastry into 8 strips. Then, pinch the ends together to form a long strip. Twist the strip until it forms a braided piece. Finally, place one end of the braided piece on the parchment paper and twist it around itself to form a pinwheel. Repeat until all the strips are used.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
Beat the cream cheese in a medium bowl until fluffy. Then, add the egg yolk, sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice and beat for another 2 minutes. Add a heaping spoonful of cream cheese filling to the center of each pinwheel.
Step 4: Bake
Whisk the egg and water together in a small bowl, then brush the mixture over the pastries. Bake for 23 t0 25 minutes until golden brown. Set aside to cool.
Step 5: Make the Drizzle
When the pastries have cooled, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Then, drizzle over the cooled pastries and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Fully soften the cream cheese and bring the egg yolk to room temperature. This allows them to blend easily and create a super creamy filling.
- Be sure the pastries are cool or just warm before adding the drizzle to ensure it stays in place.
- When, making the pinwheels, place your finger on the center end of the strip to help keep it in place as you wrap.
Danish Variations
- Use lemon juice in place of milk for lemon drizzle.
- Add jam for a fruity accent to the cream cheese filling.
- Use one braided strip to make mini pastries.
- Add fresh berries, such as strawberries, raspberry, or blueberries for a fruit and cheese pastry.
- Try topping the pastries with chopped almonds before baking.
What to Serve with Pastries
Serve these pastries with a glass of milk or cup of coffee for a sweet breakfast, afternoon snack, or brunch addition. They make a great after-dinner dessert or addition to a party, as well. For dessert, pair them with a little fresh fruit and some dark chocolate.
Recipe FAQ
A cheese danish is a French pastry made with puff pastry dough topped with cream cheese filling.
While cheese danishes will stay fresh for up to 3 days, it’s not recommended to make them in advance of serving them the first time. They’re always tastiest when they’re fresh!
A cheese danish is a pastry made with braided puff pastry dough topped with cream cheese filling, sometimes additional fruit filling, and a glaze drizzle.
Cheese danishes will remain fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Cheese danish is freezer-friendly and will last for up to a month when frozen properly.
How to Store Leftovers
Refrigerate these danishes in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 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. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Set the danishes out on the counter about an hour before serving.
Try This Delicious Cream Cheese Danish Recipe Today
This easy cheese danish recipe is as delicious as it is easy. Flaky, golden puff pastry pinwheels topped with sweet cream cheese filling and vanilla drizzle make for a classic sweet treat everyone will enjoy. Serve them for breakfast, brunch, snacks, or dessert, but serve them. Everyone will flip for their fresh, sweet flavor, and you’ll enjoy not spending hours in the kitchen!
More Delicious Pastry Recipes You’ll Enjoy
This Strawberry Danish with cream cheese is a delicious and easy pastry recipe made with fresh strawberries and a sweet cream cheese mixture. If you love pastries, you are sure going to enjoy all of these delicious pastries.
Cheese Danish
Ingredients
Cheese Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 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 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Pastry
- Cut each pastry sheet into 8 strips.
- Take two strips of puff pastry and pinch the ends together to create one long strip.
- Twist the strip until it forms a braided piece.
- Place one end of the long, twisted strip down onto the parchment paper and wrap the dough around it, starting in the center and creating a pinwheel base.
Cheese Filling
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add egg yolk, sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice. Beat for 2 more minutes.
- Add a heaping spoonful of cream cheese mixture to the center of each pastry.
Egg Wash
- In a small bowl, whisk egg and water together until combined.
- Brush each pastry with egg wash.
- Bake for 23-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool.
Glaze Drizzle
- Once the pastries have cooled, mix powdered sugar, milk and vanilla together.
- Drizzle each pastry with glaze and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
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They are delish n easy to make. I tried drag fruit n jams
My family went crazy. They didn’t believe I made. I am a good baker. But these were can’t. Thank you Marilyn
Thank you for sharing, Marilyn. I’m so glad you and your family enjoy this danish. :)