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Easy Puff Pastry Cheese Danish – Flaky, Creamy & Bakery-Worthy in Minutes

This Easy Puff Pastry Cheese Danish is a simple yet elegant pastry that delivers bakery-level flavor with minimal effort. Buttery puff pastry is filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture, baked until golden and crisp, then optionally drizzled with icing for a touch of sweetness. Perfect for brunch spreads, holiday mornings, or a cozy coffee break, these danishes are quick to make and guaranteed to impress. No yeast, no fuss—just flaky, creamy perfection in every bite.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Breakfast Pastry, Brunch, Coffee Treat, Dessert
Cuisine American (modern shortcut baking), Danish / Scandinavian, European-inspired
Servings 8 individual Danishes
Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spatula
  • Pastry brush
  • Knife or pizza cutter
  • Optional: offset spatula for spreading

Ingredients
  

  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed in fridge
  • 4 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar (or granulated sugar)
  • 1 egg yolk (for filling)
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
  • 1 whole egg (for egg wash)
  • 6 tbsp fruit preserves (e.g., cherry, raspberry, blueberry)
  • Optional: powdered sugar glaze or fresh fruit for topping

Instructions
 

  • Prep the Pastry
    Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
    Unfold thawed puff pastry and cut into 6–8 rectangles.
    Score a ½-inch border around each piece and prick the center with a fork.
  • Make the Filling
    In a bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, and lemon zest until smooth.
  • Assemble the Danishes
    Spread filling inside the scored border.
    Add 1 tbsp of fruit preserves on top of the filling.
    Brush edges with beaten egg.
  • Bake
    Bake for 15–18 minutes until puffed and golden.
    Cool slightly before serving.
    Optional: drizzle with glaze or dust with powdered sugar.

Notes

  • Thaw puff pastry in the fridge to prevent cracking or stickiness.
  • Don’t overfill — cream cheese expands slightly during baking.
  • Customize with lemon curd, Nutella, or chocolate chips for flavor twists.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a toaster oven.
  • For mini versions, cut smaller squares and reduce bake time slightly.
Keyword bakery-style pastry, brunch pastry, cheese Danish, cream cheese Danish, easy Danish recipe, fruit Danish, Puff Pastry Dessert