Heavenly Cheese Danish Recipe
Indulge in the heavenly delight of homemade cheese danish pastries with a flaky, buttery crust and a rich, sweet cheese filling. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, these treats will elevate your baking game.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 9 hours 50 minutes (includes resting and rising time)
- Yield: 16 pastries 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dough:
- 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°F)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 cup cold butter, cubed
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 4 large egg yolks, room temperature
Filling:
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 large egg, separated
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- Dough Preparation: Dissolve the yeast in warm water and let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Add the milk, egg yolks, and yeast mixture; stir to form a soft, sticky dough. Cover and refrigerate for 8 to 24 hours.
- Shaping and Filling: Punch down the dough and divide into four equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, pat each into a 9×4-inch rectangle. Sprinkle each with 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut each rectangle lengthwise into four 9×1-inch strips. Twist each strip and loosely coil it around itself; tuck the end under and pinch to seal. Place on greased baking sheets, 3 inches apart.
- Cheese Filling: Beat cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar, and egg yolk until smooth. Press an indentation into the center of each dough coil and fill with 1 rounded tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
- Baking: Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat the egg white with 1 tablespoon of water and brush over the dough. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until golden brown. Remove to wire racks and brush with maple syrup. Serve warm.
Notes
- For best results, ensure all ingredients are at room temperature when preparing the dough.
- You can customize the filling by adding nuts, raisins, or fruit preserves to the cream cheese mixture.
- These danishes are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pastry
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Cheese Danish, Danish Pastry, Breakfast Pastry, Homemade Pastry