5 from 134 votes
Easy Cheese Danish Recipe
The Easy Cheese Danish recipe combines flaky puff pastry twisted into a braided ring shape, filled with a smooth cream cheese mixture flavored with lemon zest, sugar, vanilla, and egg yolk, and topped with fresh berries. A lemon glaze made from powdered sugar, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice adds a bright, sweet finish. The pastry is baked until golden and puffed for a delicate, layered texture.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings:
12
cheese danishes
Calories:
329 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
French, American
Ingredients
Cheese Danish Ingredients:
- 1 lb puff pastry thawed, 2 sheets
- 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg room temperature, yolk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lemon zest from 1 lemon
- 1 1/2 cups berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries)
Egg Wash Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbsp water
Ingredients for Lemon Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice fresh
Instructions
How to Make Cream Cheese Danish:
- Thaw puff pastry according to package instructions. Preheat Oven to 400˚F with a rack in the center of the oven. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat liner.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 8 oz of softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg yolk, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and 1 tsp lemon zest. Beat together on medium/high speed until creamy and smooth.
- Unfold the first puff pastry sheet onto a clean work surface and roll lightly into a 10"x10" square. Use a pizza cutter to slice each sheet into 12 even strips.
- Combine 2 of the strips by tightly pinching two ends together then twist the strand from top to bottom. Press one end onto your work surface and loop the twisted strand around it, working from the center out. Pinch the end to attach it to the pastry. Flatten the center slightly with fingertips and poke the center a few times with a fork to prevent the center from puffing up too much.
- Place 1 Tbsp of the filling into the center and press the berries halfway into the cream. Repeat steps 2, 3 and 4 for the remaining strands and second sheet of puff pastry. Transfer filled pastries to lined baking sheet, keeping at least 1/2" space between them.
Cup of Yum
How to Make Eggwash & Bake:
- In a small bowl, combine 1 egg and 1 Tbsp water. Beat together thoroughly with a fork.
- Brush outside edges with egg wash and bake in the center of the oven at 400˚F for 18 -20 min. Let cool completely to room temperature so the cream cheese filling sets properly then drizzle with lemon glaze.
Nutrition Information
Calories
329kcal
(16%)
Carbs
29g
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
21g
(32%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Cholesterol
50mg
(17%)
Sodium
161mg
(7%)
Potassium
64mg
(1%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
11g
(22%)
Vitamin A
305IU
(6%)
Vitamin C
1.3mg
(1%)
Calcium
28mg
(3%)
Iron
1.2mg
(7%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12 cheese danishes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 329
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 329kcal | 16% |
| Carbs | 29g | |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 21g | 32% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 50mg | 17% |
| Sodium | 161mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 64mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 305IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 1.3mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 28mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1.2mg | 7% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.