📝 About This Recipe
Experience the ultimate morning indulgence with these bakery-style cheese danishes, featuring a shatteringly crisp puff pastry base and a velvety, citrus-kissed cream cheese center. Originating from the Viennoiserie tradition, these pastries balance the richness of high-quality dairy with a bright hint of lemon and a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for a decadent weekend brunch or a sophisticated dessert, they offer a professional-grade pastry experience right from your home oven.
🥗 Ingredients
Pastry Base
- 1 package Puff Pastry (17.3 oz, two sheets, thawed but cold)
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour (for dusting the work surface)
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese (full-fat, softened to room temperature)
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 large Egg Yolk (at room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (pure Madagascar vanilla preferred)
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest (finely grated)
- 1/8 teaspoon Salt (fine sea salt)
Egg Wash & Topping
- 1 large Egg (beaten with 1 tablespoon water)
- 2 tablespoons Coarse Sanding Sugar (for a crunchy crust)
Sweet Vanilla Glaze
- 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar (sifted)
- 1-2 tablespoons Heavy Cream (adjust for desired consistency)
- 1/4 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
👨🍳 Instructions
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1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure the pastries don't stick.
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2
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar. Use a hand mixer or whisk to beat until the mixture is completely smooth and no lumps remain.
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3
Add the egg yolk, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and salt to the cream cheese mixture. Blend on low speed until just incorporated; do not over-whip or the filling will become too runny.
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4
Lightly flour your work surface. Unfold one sheet of thawed puff pastry. Roll it slightly with a rolling pin to smooth the seams and form a 10-inch square.
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5
Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the pastry sheet into four equal squares. Repeat with the second sheet of puff pastry for a total of eight squares.
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6
To create the classic shape, fold the corners of each square inward toward the center, pressing down gently to create a 'nest' for the filling, or simply score a smaller square 1/2 inch from the edge without cutting all the way through.
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7
Place the pastry squares onto the prepared baking sheets, spaced at least 2 inches apart.
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8
Spoon approximately 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese filling into the center of each pastry square.
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9
Brush the exposed edges of the puff pastry with the egg wash using a pastry brush. Sprinkle the coarse sanding sugar over the egg-washed edges for extra crunch and shine.
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10
Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through, until the pastry is deeply golden brown and the cheese filling is set and slightly puffed.
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11
While the danishes bake, whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla in a small bowl to create a thick but pourable glaze.
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12
Remove the danishes from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes. This allows the filling to firm up.
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13
Drizzle the vanilla glaze over the warm (but not hot) pastries in a zigzag pattern and serve immediately.
💡 Chef's Tips
Ensure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature to avoid a lumpy filling. Keep the puff pastry as cold as possible until the moment you roll it out; if it gets too soft, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes. Don't overfill the centers, or the cheese may spill over the edges as it expands in the oven. For a fruit twist, add a teaspoon of raspberry or apricot preserves on top of the cheese before baking. If the pastry is browning too fast, tent it loosely with foil for the last 5 minutes of baking.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve warm with a steaming cup of dark roast coffee or a frothy latte. Pair with a side of fresh seasonal berries like raspberries or sliced strawberries. Accompany with a glass of chilled mimosa for a festive brunch setting. Add a sprig of fresh mint to the plate for a pop of color and aroma. Serve as a mid-afternoon treat with a delicate Earl Grey tea.