These easy breakfast cheese Danish squares are perfect for brunch parties, baby showers, Mother’s day brunch, work parties, or any time you desire a delightful sweet treat for breakfast or brunch.
This recipe uses frozen puff pastry so it comes together in a jiffy. You don’t have to worry about measuring, sifting, or ingredient ratios to make this easy recipe. You mix a few simple ingredients, roll out the dough and add your toppings. It doesn’t get any easier or better than that!
This recipe is featured in our lineup of easy sweet breakfast recipes. Check them out!
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
Tools You’ll Need
The below links are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases with no additional cost to you.
Ingredients
- Cream cheese (1 8-oz. package). I do not recommend going with a generic brand here. Use a good brand like Philadelphia. If cream cheese is not available, you can do a 1:1 substitute with mascarpone cheese instead. If you are looking for a vegan option, check out the recipe for cashew cream on Jessica in the Kitchen. Please note that I have not personally tried these substitutes myself.
- Large eggs (2), divided. You will use one egg in your cream cheese filling and one as an egg wash.
- Granulated sugar (⅓ cup). Adds sweetness to your cream cheese mixture.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon). Adds flavor.
- Frozen puff pastry (2 sheets), thawed in the refrigerator. Work with one sheet at a time and leave the second one in the refrigerator until ready to use.
You have many choices when it comes to the fruit toppings. You can use pie filling, preserves, compote, curd, or fresh fruit. I used pie filling and thinly-sliced fresh apples and pears. A few suggested toppings:
- Fruit pie filling (1½ – 2 cups). I suggest cherry, apple, blueberry, or blackberry. You can also use prepared jam, strawberry compote, or our homemade lime curd.
- Fresh pear and/or apple, cut into 4-6 thin slices. I left the skin on for color and texture. If you prefer, you can peel them first.
- Ground cinnamon (optional). If you decide to go with fresh apple and pear slices, ground cinnamon will add an extra layer of flavor.
Instructions
Step 1. Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and one egg with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in sugar and vanilla.
Step 2. On a piece of parchment paper, roll one puff pastry sheet into a 10½-inch square. Cut into nine 3½-inch squares.
Step 3. Carefully move parchment paper to a baking sheet. Prick each pastry square center several times with a fork. Leave about ½-inch of edges untouched.
Step 4. In a small bowl, combine second egg and 1 tablespoon of water. Use a pastry brush to brush mixture over each pastry square.
Step 5. Spread each square with 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture.
Step 6. Top each square with pie filling or sliced apple or pear. Sprinkle ground cinnamon on the squares that contain the sliced fruit.
Step 7. Bake 15-18 minutes or until golden. Remove and let cool on wire racks.
Repeat steps 1-7 with remaining puff pastry.
Tips for Success
- Do not fill your easy breakfast cheese Danish squares with too much filling. It may overspread and spill over the side of your pastry.
- Use the fork to prick only the middle of each square. Ideally each side will puff up in the oven and create a nice little pocket in the middle.
- Thaw for about 30 minutes before using and keep the second pastry sheet chilled in the refrigerator until you are ready to work with it.
- Roll out the puff pastry on a piece of parchment paper large enough to accommodate it. This makes it easier to transfer to a baking sheet.
- The pastry dough works best when cold, so try not to handle it too much.
- Always preheat the oven before baking. Do not use a microwave or toaster oven.
FAQs
More Pastry Recipes
Made this recipe? We would love it if you could leave a rating. Tap the rate button in the recipe card or leave a comment below. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free e-cookbook of quick and easy breakfast recipes. Thanks!
Easy Breakfast Cheese Danish
Ingredients
- 1 8-oz. package cream cheese Use a good brand like Philadelphia
- 2 large eggs divided
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry thawed in the refrigerator
- 1½ – 2 cups fruit pie filling suggested: cherry, apple, blueberry, blackberry
- 4-6 slices fresh pear cut into thin slices (optional)
- ground cinnamon To taste. (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and one egg with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in sugar and vanilla.
- On a piece of parchment paper, roll one puff pastry sheet into a 10½-inch square. Cut into nine 3½-inch squares.
- Carefully move parchment paper to a baking sheet. Prick each pastry square center several times with a fork. Leave about ½-inch of edges untouched.
- In a small bowl, combine second egg and 1 tablespoon of water. Use a pastry brush to brush mixture over each pastry square.
- Spread each square with 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture.
- Top each square with pie filling or sliced apple or pear. Sprinkle ground cinnamon on the squares that contain the sliced fruit.
- Bake 15-18 minutes or until golden. Remove and let cool on wire racks.Repeat steps 1-7 with remaining puff pastry.
Notes
Nutrition
