Cheese Danish Delight Recipe

Introduction

Cheese Danish Delight is a classic pastry that perfectly balances flaky, buttery dough with a creamy, sweet cheese filling. This recipe is straightforward, making it a great treat for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash)
• 1/4 cup cold water (for dough)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Step 2: Gradually add 1/4 cup of cold water, mixing until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overwork it. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. Step 3: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Step 4: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the dough into squares approximately 4×4 inches.
5. Step 5: In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
6. Step 6: Place a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each dough square. Fold the corners of the square towards the center to create a pocket and pinch to seal.
7. Step 7: In a small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and milk. Brush the egg wash over each Danish.
8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flakiness, use cold butter straight from the fridge and handle the dough as little as possible.
• Add a bit of lemon zest to the cream cheese filling for a bright, fresh flavor.
• Swap the cream cheese filling with fruit preserves or Nutella for a tasty variation.
• Brush with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk once cooled for added sweetness and shine.

Storage

Store leftover Cheese Danish in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them fresh longer, refrigerate and consume within 4 days. Reheat gently in a warm oven for a few minutes to restore crispness before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be made and refrigerated for up to 2 days before rolling and assembling. Just make sure it is well wrapped to prevent drying out.

What can I use instead of cream cheese?

You can substitute ricotta cheese or mascarpone for a different but still creamy filling. Just adjust powdered sugar to taste if needed.

Cheese Danish Delight Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 110 reviews

Cheese Danish Delight is a homemade pastry featuring a flaky, buttery dough filled with a smooth, sweetened cream cheese mixture. This classic Danish treat combines tender pastry layers with a rich, creamy filling, finished with a golden egg wash for a beautiful shine and crisp texture. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an indulgent snack.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 Danish pastries 1x
• Category: Breakfast Pastry
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Danish
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup cold water (gradually added)

Filling

• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Egg Wash

• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

1. Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and cut it into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Form the dough: Gradually add cold water, about 1/4 cup, mixing gently until the dough just comes together. Avoid overworking it. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill.
3. Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
4. Roll and cut dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the dough into approximately 4×4 inch squares.
5. Make cheese filling: In a medium bowl, blend the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy.
6. Assemble Danishes: Place a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each dough square. Fold each corner toward the center, forming a neat pocket, and pinch the edges to seal the filling inside.
7. Apply egg wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and milk. Brush this egg wash evenly over each Danish to give them a golden and shiny finish when baked.
8. Bake: Place the prepared Danishes on the lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are puffed and golden brown.
9. Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and allow the Danishes to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.

Notes

• Use cold butter and cold water to ensure a flaky dough.
• Be careful not to overwork the dough to keep the pastry tender.
• Chilling the dough is crucial to make it easier to handle and to improve flakiness.
• You can add a dusting of powdered sugar on top before serving for extra sweetness.
• For variation, try adding lemon zest or a few drops of almond extract to the filling.
• These Danish pastries are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated gently before serving.

Keywords: Cheese Danish, Danish pastry, cream cheese filling, breakfast pastry, homemade Danish, flaky pastry, baked dessert