These cream cheese danish are a light and flaky pastry topped with a sweet cream cheese filling and fruit. An easy yet elegant breakfast option!
I love a good cheese danish, it’s definitely one of my weaknesses when it comes to breakfast pastries! These cream cheese danishes are quick to make and taste so much better than the grocery store variety!
I tend to be more of a savory breakfast person, but the one morning sweet I can’t resist is cream cheese danish. That buttery pastry and cheesecake style filling get me every time! Making cream cheese danish at home is actually quite easy and is an impressive addition to any breakfast or brunch.
How to make cream cheese danish
The trick to easy cream cheese danish is a box of frozen puff pastry. It performs in a similar way as a homemade danish dough would, and is so very convenient to use.
The first step in the process is to cut your pastry into rounds. You can use a 4 inch cookie cutter or the rim of a drinking glass. You’ll want to also use a small knife or smaller cookie cutter to score a circle around the interior, which will create the pastry border for your danish. Pricking the interior pastry with a fork will help to keep it from puffing up too much since that’s where the filling goes.
The filling is a sweetened cream cheese that gets spread into the centers of the pastry rounds. The pastry is brushed with egg wash to give it a golden brown shine, and a little coarse sugar goes around the edges for added sweetness and texture.
After the pastries take a quick trip through the oven, you’ll be rewarded with amazingly delicious cream cheese danish!
You can absolutely serve these danish as-is, but I love to put a spoonful of pie filling or fresh fruit in the center. Here I used both blueberry and cherry pie fillings, you could also use apple or strawberry, or add some fresh berries on top.
Everyone will think you bought these cream cheese danish at a fancy bakery! They taste WAY better than your typical supermarket danish, and I love how easy it is to customize your flavors.
I love making these easy breakfast pastries to serve for the holidays too, they’re great on Christmas morning or for Easter brunch. I always keep a box of puff pastry in my freezer for when the mood strikes!
More breakfast recipes
- Breakfast Casserole with Bacon
- Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole
- Donut Bread Pudding
- Hash Brown Egg Casserole
- Breakfast Egg Muffins
Cream Cheese Danish with Fruit
Ingredients
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry thawed
- 6 ounces cream cheese softened
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg beaten
- 1/4 cup coarse sugar
- 1/2 cup pie filling of choice or diced fresh fruit
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Place the puff pastry sheets on a non stick surface such as parchment paper or a baking mat.
- Use a 4 inch round cookie cutter or drinking glass rim to cut 4 circles out of each sheet of pastry. See recipe notes for ideas on what to do with leftover pastry scraps!
- Using a small knife or a smaller cookie cutter, score a circle about 1/2 inch in from the edges of the pastry rounds.
- Use a fork to prick all over inside the smaller circle.
- Place the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract in the bowl of a mixer. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Gently spread the cream cheese filling inside the smaller circle of each pastry round.
- Brush the edges of the pastries with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
- Bake for 17-20 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
- Cool, then spoon 1 tablespoon of pie filling into the center of each pastry. Serve.
Notes
- Don't throw away your puff pastry scraps! Brush the scraps with a little melted butter, then sprinkle on the seasonings of your choice and a some finely grated cheese. Twist the pastry into breadsticks and bake at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
- Adapted from Just a Taste.
Pat says
Can’t wait to try these! One question, “How many does recipe make?” Says 8 servings but would hope it makes more than 8 danish.
Sara says
It makes 8 danish but can be easily doubled. You can also try pressing the leftover scraps of dough together and re-rolling them to cut more danish!
Debbie says
So beautiful and yummy! I’m adding them to my Easter brunchQ
Claudia krusch says
They look so good and easy to make! Perfect for brunch! I can’t wait to try them!
Anosa malanga says
I love cream cheese however, I have never tried making something like this before. I guess, I will definitely need to try this one. Hopefully, I can make this successfully too. Excited for the outcome.
Kita Bryant says
It has been a minute since I have had a danish. these look super amazing!
Farida says
Wow, these are truly a delectable sight! I’m sure they taste just as delicious as how they look on your photos. I’d be the happiest to be the recipient of these baked goodies. 🙂
Sandy N Vyjay says
Cream Cheese Danish sounds really tasty. Also it is really healthy too because of the fruits.The presentation looks awesome too.
ricci says
You had me at cream cheese…LOL!! These danishes mood so yummy and easy to make!!
Our Family World says
These cream cheese danish look so delicious. I don’t have much success with baked goodies but I think this is easy enough to do. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I will make some and top it with my favorite – blueberries!
Pam says
I love danishes. I have never made my own beforehand, but I bet they’re even tastier homemade.
Tomi C says
Nothing like a cream cheese danish and a piping hot cup of coffee or tea. Your dish is beautiful and much simpler than I ever thought making danishes would be. I guess that’s why I’ve never made them before but get them from our favorite local bakery but you’ve inspired me and I am bookmarking this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Emily says
Oh, these look so good! I am wanting to make these, we have family coming into town and staying with us soon and this would be a really yummy breakfast!
Angelic Sinova says
Woah those cream cheese danishes looks super delicious! I’m definitely more of a fan of homemade danishes as compared to store bought one. I’ll definitely be making these this weekend.
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
I didn’t realize how easy and simple danishes were to make. I have been missing out! I’m totally going to have to make these.
Stephanie ReadsWell says
I just go crazy when I look at a new pastry. This one looks so yummy. I think replacing sugar with honey will make it even better, especially to those who don’t add sugar in their snacks and meals.
Heather @ Kraus House Mom says
Cheese danish is my favorite and I think I could actually pull these off. I’m going to try them.
Terri Steffes says
These will be a huge hit with my family. I think it would be perfect for Easter morning goodies. Can’t wait to give it a try.
Amber Myers says
Ooo these are pretty! And I’m sure they are tasty. I would love to have these for breakfast one morning. I’d want one of each!
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
I love cream cheese danish, either plain or paired with fruit (my favorite is strawberry). These look terrific and are nice and easy to make.
candy says
We make these all the time just cut the puff pastry dough different. Can fill them with anything which makes it fun.