Easy Cheese Danish Recipe (Semi Homemade Pastry)

Make your own delicious and beautiful cheese danish at home with this easy recipe!

I’ll show you how to create pretty swirls of puff pastry filled with a sweet cream cheese filling that you’ll fall in love with. 

Making danish from scratch can be a rewarding but very time consuming process.

In this delicious recipe, we’re using frozen puff pastry instead of homemade puff pastry. This simple swap will reduce your prep time by 80%!

These homemade danish pastries will be the star of your brunch party and you’ll be really proud of how they come out. 

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for this easy cream cheese danish recipe:

• Frozen puff pastry. Making danish dough from scratch is a labor of love that everyone should try at least once. In fact, try my recipe for homemade danish pastry when you want to dive into a fun and rewarding kitchen project. But! Using frozen puff pastry dough is a lot easier and still super delish.
• Cream cheese. Be sure that it’s softened to room temperature so it’s easier to stir. 
• Confectioners’ sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Lemon juice

How to Make Cheese Danish

Thaw the puff pastry

First things first. Get that frozen puff pastry out of the freezer and let it thaw while you make the cream cheese mixture.

It should take about 30-40 minutes for frozen puff pastry to thaw. 

Make the Cheese Filling

Mix the room temperature cream cheese, powdered sugar, egg yolk, vanilla and lemon juice together in a small bowl. As long as the cream cheese is softened, the mixture should come together smoothly.

It’s a good idea to let the filling sit and firm up while you form the danish dough.

Form the Danishes

Roll out your thawed pastry dough a little. Then, using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, slice it into 8 vertical strips.

Now, take two strips and seal the ends together with your fingers.

Starting in the middle, gently twist the long dough strip in opposite directions. 

Now, take one of the ends and press it down slightly on a work surface. This will be where you put the cream cheese filling.

Now, wind the pastry in a circular direction around the flattened end of the dough. Finish by tucking the other end under the pastry circle. 

Fill the Danishes

If you have a cookie scoop or tablespoon measure, use it to place equal amounts of cream cheese filling into the center of each danish. 

Prepare the Danishes for Baking

Finally, brush the pastry swirls with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Now they’re ready to bake!

Make the Vanilla Glaze

The glaze is not to be missed, as it adds the right balance of sweetness to an otherwise plain puff pastry.

Make it by simply whisking powdered sugar and milk together in a small bowl.

Be sure to wait until the danishes are completely cooled before applying the glaze. 

Watch how to make Cheese Danish!

Variations

Although cheese is a classic and beloved flavor for danish, there are lots of different fillings you can try with this recipe. Here are a few favorites: 

1. Fresh fruit. Top the cheese filling with fresh berries for a colorful presentation. 

2. Preserved fruit. Using fruit preserves like raspberry, prune and apricot is a popular choice. I personally love canned cherry pie filling, as you’ll find in my homemade cherry danish recipe. 

3. Lemon curd. Lemon lovers will adore this puckery variation! 

4. Chocolate or Nutella. For something truly rich and decadent, fill your danish with chocolate ganache or hazelnut spread. 

Make Ahead Instructions

If you make these cheese danishes ahead of time, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for about 3 days.

Allow them to come to room temperature before serving. 

Storage Instructions

Want to keep your danish for longer than a few days? They freeze beautifully!

Start by wrapping each danish individually in plastic wrap. Then, place the wrapped danishes in an airtight container or freezer safe storage bag. 

The next time you want to enjoy them, let them thaw at room temperature. 

When you make this easy cheese danish recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Happy baking! 

For more recipes using puff pastry, try these:

• Puff Pastry Apple Dumplings with Streusel Topping
• Blackberry Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Twists
• Raspberry and Cream Cheese Braided Danish

For more pretty brunch recipes, try these:

• Classic Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla Frosting
• Blueberry Sour Cream Crumb Cake
• Breakfast Charcuterie Board