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    Home » Baked Goods, Cookies & Cereal » Easy Breakfast Cheese Danish

    Easy Breakfast Cheese Danish

    First Published: Nov 5, 2020 · Modified: Nov 26, 2021 by Sandra · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases with no additional cost to you.

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    Have a craving for a homemade easy breakfast cheese Danish but are short on time? These beauties are easy to whip up using prepared frozen puff pastry, cream cheese and ready-made pie filling. You will be enjoying these lovelies in no time!
    Jump to Recipe
    Breakfast pastries on a white plate with a fork

    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!

    Jump to:
    • 🥣 Equipment
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 📋 Instructions
    • 💡 Tips for Success
    • ❓ Frequently Asked Questions
    • 🥐 More Pastry Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 📚 References and Further Reading

    You will need the following equipment to make this recipe (affiliate links):

    🥣 Equipment

    • Baking sheet. If your oven is large enough accommodate them, you can prepare two sheets of pastries and bake them both at once.
    • Medium glass bowl. For mixing the cream cheese filling.
    • Electric mixer. To make the cream cheese filling.
    • Rolling Pin. To roll out the puff pastry dough to a 10 ½ inch square. Your pastry sheet may already come out that size. If so, you will not need a rolling pin.
    • Pastry brush. To apply an egg wash to the unbaked pastry dough.
    Overhead view of breakfast pastries on a white plate with a fork and blue napkin

    🧾 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.

    Unbaked puff pastry sheet on a piece of parchment paper
    It's easier to work on a piece of parchment paper. It keeps the dough from sticking to your countertop and you can use it to easily transport the pastries to a baking sheet for baking.

    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.

    Pricking unbaked puff pastry with a fork
    Pricking the dough with a fork prevents it from puffing up in the middle. Leave the outer edges untouched so that they can puff up and hold the filling and topping in the middle.

    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.

    Brushing unbaked puff pastry with egg
    The egg adds an attractive glossy finish to your pastries.

    Step 5. Spread each square with 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture.

    Spooning cream cheese mixture onto unbaked puff pastry
    Do not use a heaping tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture. Scoop up some of the mixture and then level it off so you don't end up with too much on each square.

    Step 6. Top each square with pie filling or sliced apple or pear. Sprinkle ground cinnamon on the squares that contain the sliced fruit.

    Spooning cherry pie filling onto an unbaked puff pastry square
    You can get creative with toppings. Prepared pie filling or preserves are great. You can also try our homemade lime curd or strawberry compote.

    Step 7. Bake 15-18 minutes or until golden. Remove and let cool on wire racks.

    Repeat steps 1-7 with remaining puff pastry.

    Cream cheese breakfast pastry squares cooling on a wire rack

    💡 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.

    ❓ Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I store breakfast cheese Danish?

    Ideally, your cream cheese breakfast pastries should be eaten within a few hours after baking them.

    Can I use pie dough for this recipe instead?

    We don't recommend pie dough because it does not puff up like puff pastry. The rise is necessary to hold the filling and toppings in the center.

    Can I prepare these breakfast pastries ahead and bake them later?

    You can prepare the filling ahead of time and store it covered in the refrigerator for a day. You should assemble and bake then when you're ready to serve them. Keep the puff pastry dough in the freezer and remove it to the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you are ready to assemble and bake the pastries.

    🥐 More Pastry Recipes

    • Breakfast Pinwheels
    • Phyllo Breakfast Cups
    Cream cheese breakfast pastry squares on a white plate with a blue napkin

    Made this recipe? We would love it if you could leave a rating. Either tap or click the stars 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!

    📖 Recipe

    Breakfast pastries on a white plate with a blue napkin

    Easy Breakfast Cheese Danish

    Heavenly Home Cooking
    Have a craving for a homemade easy breakfast cheese Danish but are short on time? These beauties are easy to whip up using prepared frozen puff pastry, cream cheese and ready-made pie filling. You will be enjoying these lovelies in no time!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 18 pastries
    Calories 226 kcal

    Equipment

    Baking sheet
    Medium bowl
    Electric mixer
    Rolling pin
    Pastry brush
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 8-oz. package cream cheese Use a good brand like Philadelphia
    • 2 large eggs divided
    • ⅓ 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 information is for one pastry square.
    Recipe slightly adapted from Better Homes & Gardens' Cream Cheese Danishes.

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories: 226kcal (11%)Carbohydrates: 29g (10%)Protein: 3g (6%)Fat: 11g (17%)Saturated Fat: 3g (19%)Cholesterol: 21mg (7%)Sodium: 84mg (4%)Potassium: 73mg (2%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 4g (4%)Vitamin A: 124IU (2%)Vitamin C: 2mg (2%)Calcium: 11mg (1%)Iron: 1mg (6%)

    Nutritional information provided is for one serving and is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

    Total Servings 18 pastries
    Keyword easy, quick
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    📚 References and Further Reading

    1. "How to Substitute for Cream Cheese in Cakes, Dips, Spreads and More" by PureWow.
    2. "Puff Pastry Tips and Techniques" by Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry.
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    Sandra Pennell

    Hi, I'm Sandra! I believe that you can make a hearty and satisfying breakfast even if you're short on time. Here I share my best recipes which will hopefully help you start your day with ease, nourishment and joy.

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