Easy Cheese Danish Recipe

Here’s a simple and delicious Easy Cheese Danish recipe that uses store-bought puff pastry to save time. It’s perfect for a quick breakfast or dessert!

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed (store-bought or homemade)
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tsp lemon juice (optional for a tangy flavor)
• 1 large egg (for egg wash)
• 1 tbsp milk (for egg wash)

Optional Glaze:

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tbsp milk
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

1. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, egg yolk, and lemon juice (if using) until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Puff Pastry

1. Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to smooth out any creases. If the sheet is very thick, roll it slightly thinner.
2. Cut the puff pastry into squares (about 4×4 inches for individual Danishes or leave the sheet whole for a large Danish).

Step 4: Add the Filling

1. Place a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each puff pastry square (or in the middle if using a whole sheet).
2. For squares, fold the corners toward the center, pressing lightly to secure the filling inside.

Step 5: Egg Wash

1. In a small bowl, whisk the egg and milk together to create the egg wash.
2. Brush the edges of the puff pastry with the egg wash to give the Danishes a golden color.

Step 6: Bake

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and crispy.

Step 7: Optional Glaze

1. While the Danishes are baking, make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
2. Once the Danishes are out of the oven and slightly cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top.

Step 8: Serve

• Enjoy the cheese Danish warm or at room temperature!

Tips:

• You can add fruit toppings like blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries on top of the cream cheese filling before baking for a fruity twist.
• For extra flavor, sprinkle the pastries with a little cinnamon sugar before baking.

This recipe is simple but yields a deliciously rich and creamy Danish with a crispy puff pastry base!