Mini Cheese Danish

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Golden, flaky, and filled with luscious cream cheese, Mini Cheese Danishes are the breakfast pastry you didn’t know you needed until now. They bring together the buttery crispiness of puff pastry and the silky smooth tang of a slightly sweetened cream cheese filling. Perfect for brunches, dessert platters, or a fancy treat with your coffee, these little pastries are as elegant as they are easy to make.

What makes Mini Cheese Danishes irresistible is their contrast of textures and flavors. The exterior is gorgeously golden with crisp layers, while the center is rich and creamy. A drizzle of icing on top adds just the right amount of sweetness. Plus, with the help of store-bought puff pastry, they come together in no time, making them an ideal last-minute bake that feels anything but rushed.

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Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Before you dive into baking, it’s key to have the right tools ready. These ensure your Mini Cheese Danishes bake evenly, maintain their structure, and achieve that bakery-style finish:

• Baking Sheet: A flat, large baking sheet gives you enough room to space out your pastries so they puff up nicely without sticking together.
• Parchment Paper: Lining the baking sheet prevents sticking and helps with even browning underneath.
• Electric Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: This is essential for blending the cream cheese filling to a silky-smooth consistency without lumps.
• Rolling Pin (Optional): If your puff pastry is a bit thick, gently rolling it out ensures even layers and proper flakiness.
• Pastry Brush: For applying an egg wash that gives the danishes their beautiful glossy finish.
• Cooling Rack: Helps prevent sogginess by allowing air to circulate around the pastries after baking.

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Ingredients for the Mini Cheese Danish

To create that perfect balance of flaky and creamy, each ingredient in the Mini Cheese Danish plays a key role:

• Puff Pastry Sheets: The star of the base, puff pastry creates those irresistible golden layers. Use store-bought for ease.
• Cream Cheese: The heart of the filling, it delivers a smooth and tangy richness.
• Granulated Sugar: Lightly sweetens the cream cheese without overpowering it.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to the cream cheese mixture.
• Lemon Juice: A touch of brightness that balances the richness of the cheese.
• Egg Yolk: Makes the filling creamy and helps bind it together.
• Egg (for egg wash): Gives the pastries their glossy, bakery-style finish.
• Powdered Sugar + Milk (for optional glaze): A simple drizzle of this brings extra sweetness and visual appeal.

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How To Make the Mini Cheese Danish

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Cream Cheese Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and egg yolk. Beat until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Prepare the Puff Pastry

Unroll the puff pastry and cut into squares, about 3×3 inches. You can lightly roll them out if needed to ensure even thickness.

Step 4: Shape the Danishes

Fold each corner of the puff pastry square slightly inward or make a small well in the center. Add a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture into the center.

Step 5: Add the Egg Wash

Beat one egg and brush the edges of each square lightly. This helps them bake up golden and crisp.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are puffed and golden. Keep an eye on them so they don’t overbrown.

Step 7: Cool and Glaze

Let the danishes cool on a wire rack. If desired, mix powdered sugar and milk to create a glaze, then drizzle it over the top.

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Best Way to Serve and Store Mini Cheese Danish

These Mini Cheese Danishes are best served fresh and slightly warm. Right out of the oven, the puff pastry is at its flakiest, and the cream cheese filling is luxuriously soft. Pair them with a morning cup of coffee or arrange them beautifully on a dessert tray for brunch gatherings.

If you’re not serving them immediately, store them in an airtight container once fully cooled. They can be kept at room temperature for up to 1 day, or refrigerated for up to 4 days. To reheat, just pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes to revive their crispness without overbaking.

For longer storage, these danishes freeze well. Wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and store in a zip-top bag. Reheat from frozen in the oven—they’ll taste just as good as fresh!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent the filling from leaking out?

Make sure not to overfill the center and press the pastry edges slightly to keep the filling contained. Also, avoid cutting too deep when scoring or shaping.

Can I make these in advance?

Absolutely. You can prep the danishes and refrigerate them (unbaked) for a few hours. When ready to serve, bake fresh for the best texture.

Can I add fruit or jam?

Yes! A small dollop of fruit preserves or fresh berries on top of the cream cheese mixture before baking adds a delicious twist.

Do I have to use lemon juice in the filling?

Lemon juice adds brightness, but you can skip it if preferred. A touch of sour cream is another great alternative.

Can I make these without an egg wash?

You can, but the pastries won’t have the same golden sheen. The egg wash helps enhance their color and texture.

Are these best warm or cold?

They’re delicious either way, but slightly warm danishes tend to offer the best texture and flavor.

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Want More Pastry Ideas with a Twist?

If you love these Mini Cheese Danishes, you’ll definitely want to try a few more buttery, flaky, and flavor-packed recipes from Life With Olivia:

• Homemade Flaky Croissants for an authentic bakery-style breakfast at home.
• Mini Cinnamon Roll Cheesecakes if you’re into cream cheese desserts with a cinnamon-sugar swirl.
• Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake for a fruity, creamy treat in minutes.
• Coconut Snowballs when you want a soft bite of coconut bliss.
• Tiramisu Cupcakes to enjoy the elegance of tiramisu in cupcake form.

Save This Recipe for Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time: Life With Olivia on Pinterest.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you drizzle with glaze or leave them plain? Did you add fruit or keep it classic?

I love hearing how you personalize these little pastries. Questions are welcome too—let’s bake and learn together!

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