Description
A quick and simple recipe for flaky mini cheese danishes with a creamy, tangy filling, perfect for breakfast or brunch treats.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed but still cold, about 9x9 inches)
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 medium lemon
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) milk
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Whisk or beat with an electric mixer until smooth, creamy, and slightly fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add a teaspoon of milk if mixture is too stiff.
- On a lightly floured surface, unfold the chilled puff pastry sheet and cut into 12 equal squares (about 3×3 inches each).
- Place a heaping tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each square. Avoid overfilling.
- Fold the corners of each square slightly toward the center, leaving some filling visible. Press gently to seal edges without squashing the pastry.
- Beat the egg yolk and milk together. Lightly brush the edges of each danish with the egg wash.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until puff pastry is puffed and golden brown. Check after 12 minutes to avoid over-browning.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Keep puff pastry cold to maintain flakiness. Avoid overfilling to prevent leakage. Use a light hand when brushing egg wash to avoid drips. If edges don’t seal well, dab with water. Cover with foil halfway if filling browns too quickly. Can add fresh berries or spices for variations. Reheat in oven to keep pastry crisp; avoid microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cheese danish
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 13
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 17
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 3.5
Keywords: mini cheese danish, puff pastry, breakfast treats, easy danish recipe, flaky pastry, cream cheese filling