There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked pastries wafting through the kitchen, especially on a busy morning! I love starting my day with something warm and delicious, and this easy breakfast cheese danish checks all the boxes. It’s a breeze to whip up, even when life is pulling me in a million directions. With just a few simple ingredients, you can enjoy a flaky, buttery treat filled with sweet, creamy goodness. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll want them in your breakfast rotation all week long. They’re perfect for a little morning indulgence that feels special without the fuss!
Ingredients for Easy Breakfast Cheese Danish
- 1 package of puff pastry (thawed)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened (make sure it’s nice and creamy!)
- 1/4 cup sugar (for that perfect sweetness)
- 1 egg (for the filling)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for a hint of flavor)
- 1 egg yolk (for egg wash, to give that golden finish)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional but oh-so-pretty)
How to Prepare Easy Breakfast Cheese Danish
Preheat and Prepare the Pastry
First things first, let’s get that oven preheated to 400°F (200°C). Trust me, starting with a hot oven is key to those perfectly flaky layers! While that’s heating up, roll out your puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. You want it nice and thin, but not too thin that it tears. Once it’s rolled out, cut it into squares that are about 4 inches on each side. This size is just right for holding all that creamy goodness without spilling over!
Make the Cheese Filling
Now, let’s whip up that dreamy cheese filling! In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. I like to use a hand mixer for this part, but a whisk works too if you’re feeling energetic! You want to mix it until it’s super smooth and creamy—think of a luscious frosting texture. No lumps, please! This is what gives the danish that rich and delightful flavor that you’ll love.
Assemble the Danish
Time to bring it all together! Take a square of pastry and place a generous spoonful of the cheese mixture right in the center. Don’t be shy—you want it to be filled! Now, fold the corners of the pastry square over the filling, pinching them together to create a cute little pocket. It’s okay if it’s not perfectly sealed; just make sure it’s mostly closed. Brush the tops with the egg yolk to give them that gorgeous golden finish when they bake. It’s the secret to looking as good as they taste!
Baking the Danish
Pop those beauties in the oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on them, and you’ll know they’re done when they’re puffed up and a beautiful golden brown. Oh, the smell will be irresistible! Once they’re out, let them cool for just a couple of minutes before dusting with powdered sugar. This little touch makes them look extra special and oh-so-delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick preparation—ready in just 40 minutes!
- Deliciously creamy and sweet filling that’s hard to resist.
- Flaky, buttery puff pastry that melts in your mouth.
- Versatile—customize with fruit toppings like berries or peaches!
- Perfect for breakfast or as a delightful snack any time of day.
- Great for entertaining—impress your friends or family with minimal effort!
- Can be made ahead and reheated, making mornings a breeze.
- Kid-friendly and sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
Tips for Success
Alright, let’s make sure your easy breakfast cheese danish turns out absolutely perfect! Here are my top tips that I swear by:
- Keep the Puff Pastry Cold: This is super important! Make sure your puff pastry stays chilled until you’re ready to work with it. If it gets too warm, it won’t puff up as beautifully in the oven. You can even pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes if needed.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh cream cheese and eggs make a world of difference in flavor and texture. I always prefer to use the best ingredients I can find, especially for something as delicious as this!
- Don’t Overmix the Filling: While you want that cheese mixture to be smooth, overmixing can introduce too much air and make it puff up too much during baking. Just mix until it’s combined and creamy, and you’re golden!
- Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to jazz up the cheese filling with lemon zest, almond extract, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon. Get creative! You can also add fresh fruit on top before baking for an extra burst of flavor.
- Check for Doneness: Every oven is different, so keep an eye on your danishes as they bake. They should be puffed up and golden brown. If they’re browning too quickly, you can tent them with foil to prevent burning.
- Serve Warm: These are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven when they’re warm and flaky. The cream cheese filling is so gooey and delightful—it’s just a whole different experience!
With these tips, you’ll be a danish-making pro in no time. Enjoy the process and happy baking!
Nutritional Information
Now, let’s talk about what’s in each delightful danish! Here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown for one serving:
- Calories: 200
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
- Sodium: 150mg
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 5g
- Protein: 3g
This makes for a lovely treat that’s not just tasty but also gives you a little boost for your morning! Keep in mind that the nutritional values can vary depending on specific brands and any extra toppings you might choose to add. But honestly, with how delicious these are, I think they’re totally worth it!
Frequently Asked Questions
I get a lot of questions about this easy breakfast cheese danish, so let’s address the most common ones to help you out!
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the danishes up to the point of baking them. Just assemble them, cover with plastic wrap, and pop them in the fridge for up to a day. When you’re ready to bake, you can bake them straight from the fridge—just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
How do I store leftovers?
If you have any leftovers—though I doubt it!—store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just remember to reheat them in the oven for a few minutes to get that flaky texture back!
Can I freeze the cheese danish?
You bet! These freeze beautifully. After baking and cooling, wrap each danish tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. They’ll stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating.
What variations can I try?
The possibilities are endless! You can mix berries into the cheese filling or add a swirl of fruit preserves for a fruity twist. Want a chocolatey surprise? Try adding mini chocolate chips to the filling! You could even sprinkle a bit of cinnamon or nutmeg to warm up the flavor for a cozy touch. Get creative!
What if I don’t have puff pastry?
No worries! You can use crescent roll dough instead—it’s a little sweeter but still delicious. Just roll it out and cut it into squares the same way. They’ll have a slightly different texture, but still super tasty!
Feel free to reach out if you have more questions—I’m always here to help you make the best danish possible!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Now, let’s talk about keeping those delicious easy breakfast cheese danishes fresh and tasty! If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house), you’ll want to store them properly to maintain their flaky goodness. Just pop them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Trust me, they’re still delightful after a day or two!
When it comes to reheating, you’ll want to bring back that fresh-out-of-the-oven experience. The best way to do this is by placing them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes. This way, the pastry will regain its crispiness, and the filling will be warm and gooey again. Microwave reheating is quick but be careful, as it can make the pastry a bit soggy. If you must use the microwave, just heat them for 15-20 seconds—enough to warm them without losing that lovely texture.
And if you’re feeling fancy, a light dusting of powdered sugar after reheating adds a lovely touch! Enjoy your danishes warm, and I promise they’ll taste just as good as the first day!
Print
Easy Breakfast Cheese Danish: 7 Reasons to Indulge Today
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and delicious cheese danish perfect for breakfast.
Ingredients
- 1 package of puff pastry
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface.
- Cut the pastry into squares.
- In a bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla.
- Place a spoonful of the cheese mixture in the center of each pastry square.
- Fold the corners of the pastry over the filling.
- Brush the tops with egg yolk.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Serve warm for the best taste.
- Can be made ahead and reheated.
- Feel free to add fruit toppings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 danish
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: easy breakfast cheese danish