Description
The Ultimate Cheese Danish is a decadent pastry with a golden, flaky crust and a rich, creamy cheese filling, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat.
Ingredients
- For the Danish Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1/2 cup whole milk, warm
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter (for laminating)
- For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- For the Glaze:
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. In a separate bowl, combine warm milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms. Knead for about 5 minutes until smooth. Cover with a towel and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Butter for Laminating: While the dough rises, place the cold butter between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it into a 1/2-inch thick square. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Laminating the Dough: Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a 12×8-inch rectangle. Place the cold butter in the center, then fold the dough over the butter like an envelope. Roll out the dough again into a long rectangle, then fold it into thirds. Repeat this process two more times, chilling the dough for 20 minutes between each turn.
- Make the Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, egg yolk, and flour until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the Danish: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll the dough out one last time into a 12×12-inch square. Cut the dough into 4 equal squares. Place a spoonful of the cream cheese filling in the center of each square. Fold the corners of the dough into the center to form a pocket, leaving the center exposed.
- Bake the Danish: Place the filled dough squares on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown and flaky.
- Glaze and Serve: While the Danish bakes, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract for the glaze. Once the Danishes are done baking, remove them from the oven and drizzle the glaze over the top. Serve warm.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cream cheese filling.
- If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought puff pastry instead of making the dough from scratch.
- This recipe can be made in mini versions. Just reduce the baking time to 10–12 minutes for smaller Danishes.
- If making ahead, you can prepare the dough and filling the night before and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus rising time)
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Danish
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
