Description
This homemade cheese Danish recipe features flaky laminated dough and a creamy, tangy-sweet cream cheese filling. It’s a bakery-style breakfast or brunch pastry that you can master at home, perfect for weekend treats or special occasions.
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp active dry yeast
- 1 cup whole milk, warm
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp cold unsalted butter (for laminating)
- For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 7 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
- For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk or lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional Toppings: fruit preserves, fresh berries, sliced almonds
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. In another bowl, combine warm milk and yeast and let sit until foamy (5–10 mins).
- Mix milk mixture with the egg and dry ingredients. Knead into smooth dough for 6–8 minutes. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Place cold butter between parchment and shape into an 8-inch square. Keep it cold but pliable.
- Roll dough into a 16-inch square, place butter block in center, fold like an envelope, roll into a rectangle, fold like a letter, and chill 30 minutes. Repeat rolling and folding two more times, chilling between each.
- Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut into 4-inch squares. Place 1 spoonful of filling in center. Fold corners or shape into pockets.
- Place on baking sheet, cover, and proof for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 390°F (200°C).
- Brush with egg wash or milk and bake for 15–20 minutes until golden.
- Cool and drizzle with glaze. Add toppings as desired.
Notes
- Try ricotta or mascarpone as an alternative to cream cheese.
- Use fruit jams or preserves for added flavor and color.
- Top with berries, almonds, or chocolate chips for variation.
- Freeze unbaked Danishes and bake from frozen—add a few extra minutes.
- Chill dough between folds to ensure flaky layers.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Danish
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
