Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Danishes Recipe
Delightful Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Danishes with a fluffy, sweet cream cheese filling and a smooth vanilla glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, these danishes balance flaky puff pastry with a creamy center and a sugary glaze.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 12 danishes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Puff Pastry and Egg Wash
- 1 roll of puff pastry dough (room temperature)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Cream Cheese Filling
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons milk (more if needed)
Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons milk (to mix with powdered sugar for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and help with even baking.
- Make Cream Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, use a mixer to beat together the cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until the mixture is fluffy and smooth.
- Prepare Pastry: Roll out the puff pastry dough and cut it into 12 squares. Arrange each square on the prepared baking sheet, spaced apart.
- Add Filling: Place about two tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each pastry square.
- Score Edges: Using a knife, lightly score a border about 1/2 inch from the edge of each square, taking care not to cut all the way through. This will create an indent to hold the filling and help the edges puff up.
- Apply Egg Wash: Beat the egg and brush it over the edges of each pastry. This will give the danishes a beautiful golden-brown color when baked.
- Bake: Bake the danishes in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden.
- Make Glaze: While the danishes are baking or cooling, mix powdered sugar with milk to create a smooth glaze.
- Glaze Danishes: Once the danishes have cooled slightly, drizzle the glaze over the top for a sweet finish.
- Serve: Enjoy your 12 freshly made cream cheese danishes warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Ensure the puff pastry is at room temperature before rolling to prevent cracking.
- If the cream cheese mixture is too thick, add a little more milk to reach a spreadable consistency.
- Do not cut completely through the pastry when scoring to help the edges puff properly.
- The glaze consistency can be adjusted by adding more powdered sugar for thickness or more milk for thinness.
- For extra flavor, consider adding lemon zest or cinnamon to the cream cheese filling.
- Store leftover danishes in an airtight container for up to 2 days, and reheat slightly before serving.
