Heavenly Cheese Danish: A Luscious Creamy Delight to Bake Recipe
Heavenly Cheese Danish is a luscious and creamy pastry featuring a buttery, flaky dough twisted into elegant coils and filled with a smooth, sweet cream cheese mixture. These delightful treats are perfectly baked to a golden brown and finished with a glossy maple syrup glaze, making them an irresistible breakfast or dessert option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 9 to 25 hours (including chilling and proofing time)
- Yield: 16 pastries 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 2 packages (¼ ounce each) active dry yeast
- ½ cup warm water (110° to 115°F)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 cup cold butter, cubed
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 4 large egg yolks, room temperature
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Cream Cheese Filling
- 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
Egg Wash & Glaze
- 1 large egg white
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Combine the yeast and warm water in a small bowl. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy to ensure the yeast is active.
- Prepare Dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Mix Dough: Stir in the milk, egg yolks, and activated yeast mixture. Mix until a soft, sticky dough forms.
- Chill Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 to 24 hours to develop flavor and texture.
- Shape Dough: Gently punch down the chilled dough and divide it into four equal portions on a floured surface. Pat each into a 9×4-inch rectangle and sprinkle ¾ teaspoon cinnamon over each.
- Cut and Twist: Slice each rectangle lengthwise into four 9×1-inch strips. Twist each strip and coil it loosely into a round shape, tucking the end underneath to seal.
- Prepare Filling: In a bowl, beat the cream cheese, ⅓ cup sugar, and 1 egg yolk until smooth and creamy.
- Fill Pastries: Make an indentation in the center of each coil and carefully add one rounded tablespoon of the cream cheese filling into each indentation.
- Proof Pastries: Place the shaped pastries on baking sheets, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Apply Egg Wash: Beat the egg white with 1 tablespoon water, then brush this mixture over the risen dough to promote golden browning.
- Bake Pastries: Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until pastries are golden brown and cooked through.
- Glaze: Remove pastries from the oven and immediately brush with maple syrup for a shiny, sweet finish.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature egg yolks to ensure smooth dough mixing.
- Chilling the dough overnight enhances the flavor and improves texture.
- The twisting and coiling technique creates a beautiful, flaky layered effect.
- Brush the pastries with maple syrup immediately after baking for a glossy look and added sweetness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently before serving.
Keywords: Cheese Danish, Danish Pastry, Cream Cheese Filling, Breakfast Pastry, Baked Dessert
