Easy Cheese Danish is a delicious and buttery pastry filled with a sweet, creamy cheese filling and topped with a light glaze. Using store-bought puff pastry or crescent dough makes this recipe incredibly quick and simple, giving you a bakery-quality treat at home without the hassle of making dough from scratch. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, these cheese danishes are sure to impress with their flaky crust and rich, sweet filling.
Ingredients:
For the danish:
- 1 package (8 oz) crescent roll dough or puff pastry
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk (optional, for richness)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for added flavor)
For the glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Prepare the dough: If using crescent roll dough, unroll it and press the seams together to form a single sheet. If using puff pastry, roll it out into a 9×12-inch rectangle. Cut the dough into 4-6 equal squares or rectangles.
- Make the cream cheese filling: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, egg yolk (if using), and lemon juice until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the danish: Place a spoonful of the cream cheese filling in the center of each dough square. Fold the corners of the dough toward the center, pinching them together slightly to secure (optional). Alternatively, you can leave the corners open for a more rustic look.
- Bake the danish: Transfer the danishes to the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and puffed, and the cheese filling is set.
- Make the glaze: While the danishes are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl to form a smooth glaze.
- Glaze and serve: Once the danishes are out of the oven and slightly cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top. Serve warm or at room temperature.
These Easy Cheese Danishes are buttery, flaky, and filled with sweet, creamy goodness. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an anytime treat, and they come together in no time with minimal effort!
