Homemade Cheese Danish Recipe

A simple and delicious recipe for flaky and delicious Cheese Danish! These are made with my easy (cheater's) homemade puff pastry, though you can substitute store-bought in a pinch.Be sure to check out the how-to VIDEO below the recipe!

Prep time: PT20M

Cook time: PT17M

Rating

4.94 stars (48 reviews)

Keywords

cheese danish, cheese pastry, cream cheese danish, homemade danish

Ingredients

1 batch homemade puff pastry (see note to use store-bought pastry)
8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 teaspoons water
1 cup powdered sugar
3-5 teaspoons milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Cuisine

American
Austrian

Steps

Preheat oven to 400F (205C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
Prepare filling by stirring together cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
Divide puff pastry into 2 even parts (If using homemade puff pastry I’ll usually cut this width-wise, if using store-bought dough it will already be divided into two even sheets for you).
Roll first half of puff pastry into a 12x12” square (about 1/16” thick). Cut into 4 even-sized squares.
Transfer squares onto prepared baking sheet. Dollop about two tablespoons of filling into the center of each square. Fold the corners over the center of the filling, leaving a space about ¼” thick in the center and between corners.
Prepare egg wash by whisking together egg and 2 teaspoons water. Brush generously over the top of the puff pastry dough.
Transfer cheese danishes to 400F (205C) preheated oven and bake for 17-19 minutes or until light golden brown. Pastries will puff a lot in the oven but will settle as they cool.
Repeat steps with second half of puff pastry dough.
Allow cheese danishes to cool before drizzling with glaze.
Glaze
- To prepare glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.
- Drizzle glaze generously over cooled cheese danishes. Enjoy!

Nutitrion

Serving Size: 1 cheese danish
Calories: 532 kcal
Carbohydrates: 46 g
Protein: 10 g
Fat: 35 g
Saturated Fat: 20 g
Cholesterol: 90 mg
Sodium: 479 mg
Sugar: 17 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g

Reviews

Jennifer on 2025-06-06 (5 stars):
Delicious and oh so easy to make! I love it!
Nicole on 2024-12-01 (4 stars):
I used premade puff pastry and these ballooned up! they look like bowls and the cream cheese oozed out in some places. Once cooled, the filling sank but the puff pastry was still pointing up into bowls. Will try making my own dough next time 🫤 I also halved the icing and had plenty. The flavor was still delicious, though
Laura on 2024-11-12 (5 stars):
This was my first time making cheese danish and this recipe is so good!! I also used her recipe to make the puff pastry. So easy and delicious! Highly recommend this recipe!!
Sydney on 2024-07-17 (5 stars):
I love all of the recipes I’ve found on this website but this is absolutely my favorite. I have been making these for a couple years now and I have gotten so many compliments. When I say I’m going to make some I have people getting so excited about it. I made some changes when I make them but this really is an amazing recipe
Tia on 2024-03-22 (5 stars):
Amazing! Thank you!
Ray Leight on 2024-02-02 (5 stars):
The second time I am making these. I haven't made my own puff pastry yet, but the danishes are still great even with the premade pastry. Thank you!
Sarah S on 2024-01-21 (5 stars):
I used this with King Arthur Pastry Flour instead of all purpose. I’m sure they would have turned out with AP flour but holy moly the pastry flour made this so flaky and light! I know AP is more readily available so it’s great it can be made either way. 5 stars for this recipe though, the filling is delicious, and the puff pastry was so worth the effort over store bought. It beat out every danish I’ve ever had.
Alexa on 2023-10-08 (5 stars):
Can these be prepared overnight and kept on fridge to be baked fresh in the morning?