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Delicious Mini Cheese Danish Recipe

4.5 from 74 reviews

These Delicious Mini Cheese Danish pastries feature flaky puff pastry filled with a creamy, sweetened cream cheese mixture, baked to golden perfection and topped with a smooth powdered sugar glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful snack with coffee or tea, these easy-to-make danishes combine buttery pastry with a rich and tangy filling for a truly irresistible treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Puff Pastry Base

  • 1 package Puff Pastry (store-bought, thawed)

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 8 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
  • 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar (can substitute with sugar alternative)
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract (use pure extract for best flavor)
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice (optional)

Topping and Glaze

  • 1 beaten Egg (can be replaced with milk for brushing)
  • 1 cup Powdered Sugar (no direct replacement)
  • 1 tbsp Milk (dairy-free options available)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and cleanup.
  2. Prepare Puff Pastry: Unfold the thawed puff pastry carefully on a lightly floured surface to prevent sticking, and cut it into 3×3 inch squares, giving you evenly sized pastries.
  3. Make Cream Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and optional lemon juice. Mix until the mixture is smooth and creamy without lumps.
  4. Fill Pastry Squares: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese filling into the center of each puff pastry square, distributing the filling evenly.
  5. Shape Pastries: Fold the corners of each square toward the center if you prefer a closed shape, or leave them open-faced for a classic look.
  6. Brush with Egg Wash: Brush the edges of each pastry with the beaten egg to give a shiny, golden finish once baked. Egg can be substituted with milk if desired.
  7. Bake: Place the prepared pastries on the lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until the pastries puff up and turn golden brown.
  8. Cool: Remove the danishes from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on a wire rack, preventing sogginess.
  9. Prepare Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar and milk in a small bowl until smooth and free of lumps to create the glaze.
  10. Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the glaze over the slightly cooled danishes. Serve warm alongside your favorite coffee or tea for a delicious treat.

Notes

  • You can substitute granulated sugar with a sugar alternative to reduce sugar content.
  • Lemon juice is optional but adds a nice tangy brightness to the cream cheese filling.
  • If you prefer vegan or dairy-free options, use dairy-free cream cheese, milk alternatives, and an egg substitute for brushing.
  • Be careful not to overfill the pastry squares to prevent leakage during baking.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container and consume within 2 days for best freshness.

Keywords: mini cheese danish, puff pastry cheese danish, cream cheese danish, breakfast pastries, sweet pastries, easy baked desserts