A lazy Saturday morning drew me into my kitchen, craving something sweet and tender. I thought back to a cooking club meeting years ago when a dear friend brought homemade Danish pastries to share. That flaky, creamy treat left a mark. Hoping to recreate that warm memory, I turned to a simple dough and creamy cheese filling.
I sifted flour in a bowl, measuring sugar and butter while my cat curled by the oven. The dough came together, cool and soft in my hands, like a promise of something comforting. My neighbor, a retired baker, popped in for tea and peeked at the pastry shapes—she offered tips on folding corners and trimming edges with care. Soon, the kitchen smelled faintly of vanilla, butter, and promise.
As the Danish baked into golden pockets and the cheese filling set softly inside, steam curled upward when I pulled them from the oven. The first bite was delicate, creamy, and lightly sweet. It tasted of early mornings, gentle conversations, and time spent with someone who knows your heart.
Short Description
Cheese Danish Delight combines buttery, flaky pastry squares filled with a sweetened cream cheese center—oven-baked to golden perfection for a bakery-style treat at home.
Key Ingredients
Dough
- 2 cups all‑purpose flour
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
Filling
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 tbsp milk
Dough Assembly
-
¼ cup cold water
Tools Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Pastry cutter or fingertips
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheet with parchment paper
- Whisk
- Pastry brush
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough
Whisk flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add cold cubed butter and cut in with a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
Step 2: Form & Chill Dough
Add ¼ cup cold water gradually, mixing until dough forms. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
Step 3: Preheat & Roll Dough
Heat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment. On a floured surface, roll chilled dough into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Cut into 4×4‑inch squares.
Step 4: Prepare Filling
In a bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Step 5: Shape the Danish
Place 1 tbsp of filling into the center of each square. Fold in the four corners, pinching gently to seal in the center.
Step 6: Apply Egg Wash & Bake
Whisk the egg and milk. Brush over each Danish’s surface. Bake 15–20 minutes until golden brown and puffed. Let cool slightly before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Creamy & Flaky: Soft cheese filling nestled in buttery pastry makes a dreamy combination.
Simple Ingredients: Basic pantry staples come together for café-style results.
Elegant Appearance: Folded corners give a professional look with minimal effort.
Flexible Treat: Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up.
Customizable: Easy to tweak filling or add toppings like fruit or glaze.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Dough too sticky: Add a bit more flour—1 tbsp at a time—until it holds shape.
Butter melts too fast: Keep butter cold and work quickly to maintain flakiness.
Filling leaks: Use chilled filling and pinch corners firmly.
Brush too heavily: Light egg wash keeps pastry golden without sogginess.
Under-baked centers: Ensure baking time is long enough; cheese should set lightly.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve fresh on a platter with coffee, tea, or a latte.
Add fresh berries or citrus slices on the side.
Great for buffet-style brunch or plate individually for guests.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day; refrigerate beyond that.
Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes before serving.
Freeze: Freeze cooled Danish individually, wrap tightly, and reheat directly from frozen in a warm oven.
FAQs
1. Can I use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese?
Yes, reduce powdered sugar slightly and keep filling chilled.
2. Can I make mini versions?
Absolutely, cut into 3×3‑inch squares and reduce bake time slightly.
3. Can I add fruit?
Yes! Place a small amount of jam or sliced fruit under the filling.
4. Is using a stand mixer okay?
Sure, just pulse butter until coarse crumbs form.
5. Can I add a drizzle glaze?
Yes, mix powdered sugar and lemon juice or milk to drizzle over cooled pastry.
Tips & Tricks
Chill dough well to get flakier layers.
Use room-temperature cream cheese for smoother filling.
Rotate the baking sheet halfway for even golden color.
Don’t overfill—1 tablespoon gives best results.
Brush lightly with egg wash to avoid heaviness.
Recipe Variations
Lemon-Raspberry Danish:
Add 1 tsp lemon zest to filling and top with fresh raspberries.
Apple-Cinnamon Twist:
Mix diced apple and cinnamon into cream cheese; sprinkle cinnamon sugar before baking.
Savory Spinach & Cheese:
Skip sugar in dough; fill with whipped ricotta, spinach, garlic, and Parmesan.
Chocolate-Hazelnut Danish:
Swirl Nutella into filling and sprinkle chopped hazelnuts on top before baking.
Final Thoughts
The golden puff of pastry, the soft center that gives just enough under your fork, it’s small joy. These Danish delights carry echoes of early mornings spent sharing recipes with a friend, or quiet afternoons when a sweet treat felt like comfort.
I hope each bite brings that same little spark: warm, buttery, mild sweetness that nods to nostalgia and invites a moment of simple pleasure. Serve them with someone you enjoy talking to, these are meant to be shared and remembered.
Cheese Danish Delight Recipe
Print ThisIngredients
- Dough
- 2 cups all‑purpose flour
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- Filling
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Egg Wash
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 tbsp milk
- Dough Assembly
- ¼ cup cold water
Instructions
Step 1: Make Dough
Mix flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
Step 2: Form & Chill
Add cold water gradually to form dough. Shape into a disk, wrap, and chill 1 hour.
Step 3: Roll & Cut
Preheat oven to 400°F. Roll dough to ¼-inch thick, cut into 4×4-inch squares.
Step 4: Make Filling
Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
Step 5: Fill & Fold
Spoon 1 tbsp filling into center of each square. Fold corners to the center and pinch.
Step 6: Egg Wash & Bake
Brush with egg-milk wash. Bake 15–20 mins until golden. Cool slightly before serving.
