From the flaky puff pastry to the sweet creamy filling, to the bright lemon glaze, this Cheese Danish is an easy, yet irresistible, brunch recipe.
This recipe for Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Danish comes together easily and makes a show-stopping addition to any brunch, especially when paired with Spinach Frittata, Quiche Lorraine, Strawberry Spinach Salad, and/or Oven Baked Bacon.

I have been making cream cheese puff pastry danishes for decades. It has become a staple brunch recipe, and one my friends and family beg me to make again and again.
And I am happy to oblige to their request!
While this cream cheese puff pastry danish is a stunner, it is the easiest recipe for preparing a homemade danish. But I may just keep that our little secret, and continue to wow my guests at brunch😉
why you'll love this cream cheese pastry
- Super Easy Recipe. By using store-bought puff pastry, you can make a homemade cheese danish is light, flaky, and tender with very minimal effort.
- Only 6 Ingredients. This simple cream cheese pastry only requires a handful of ingredients to create something truly spectacular.
- Mass Appeal. Buttery, flaky, sweet, creamy, and kissed with tartness, no one can resist this cream cheese danish!
- Can be Prepped in Advance. This cream cheese pastry is perfect for entertaining at breakfast or brunch, not only because it is an easy, show-stopping recipe, but also because it can be prepped in advance, making it that much easier to wow your guests!
Notes on Ingredients

- Puff Pastry: This is one recipe in that I do rely on a packaged ingredient. Store-bought puff pastry is puff pastry makes these danishes incredibly easy to prepare. Both refrigerated and frozen puff pastry work for this recipe. If you do use frozen puff pastry, be sure to place it in the refrigerator to thaw the day before making these danishes, as you want the pastry to thaw slowly in a chilled environment. And while I personally opt to use puff pastry without hydrogenated oils, this recipe works with any brand of puff pastry you have on hand.
- Cream Cheese: You can use regular cream cheese or low-fat cream cheese, but do not use fat-free cream cheese as the flavor will not be the same.
- Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar is the best choice of sweetener to use for this recipe, as it will dissolve perfectly into the cream cheese and is used for the glaze on the pastry as well.
- Eggs: An egg yolk is used for the filling of the danish and a whole egg is used for an egg wash that helps give the pastry its beautiful golden color.
- Fresh Lemons: I use the lemon zest and lemon juice in the cream cheese filling for a pop of flavor and the fresh lemon juice to make the glaze. The lemon really pairs beautifully with the sweetened cream cheese to add citrus notes and balance the overall sweetness of these danishes.
How to Make a Cheese Danish Using Puff Pastry
- Prepare the cream cheese filling. In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon zest, egg, vanilla, and lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Set the mixture aside.

- Prepare Puff Pastry. Unroll the puff pastry and place it on a lightly floured surface or piece of parchment paper. Very gently, roll out the pastry, using a rolling pin, just enough to remove the creases from the dough.
- Fill Danish. Spread cream cheese filling down the center of the puff pastry, in about a 2-3 inch wide section. If you are adding any toppings to your danish, add them to the top of the cream cheese mixture at this time.

- Braid Dough. Cut ½ inch diagonal strips up each side of the dough and then fold those pieces over the filling, alternating sides to resemble a braided pattern. Tuck any excess dough under the ends to seal the danish.

- Brush with Egg Wash. In a small bowl, mix together an egg with 1 tablespoon of water. And then use that egg wash to brush the exposed puff pastry. This will help the danish to get golden brown with baked.

- Bake Puff Pastry Danish. Bake until golden brown and the puff pastry has browned and is cooked through.

- Cool. Remove from the oven and place the baking sheet onto a cooling rack and let cool for 15-20 minutes before glazing.
- Prepare Glaze. While the pastry is cooling, mix together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. You want the mixture to drizzle slowly off a fork. Add 1 tablespoon more powdered sugar at a time to thicken or ½ teaspoon more lemon juice to thin.

- Glaze Pastry. Drizzle the lemon glaze over the cream cheese danish after it has fully cooled.

Preparing in Advance
This cream cheese pastry is perfect for entertaining at breakfast or brunch, not only because it is an easy, show-stopping recipe, but also because it can be prepped in advance, making it that much easier to wow your guests!
- Prepare the danish as directed up to the egg wash. Place the baking tray, with the assembled danish, directly in the freezer and freeze for several hours or overnight until the danish has frozen solid.
- Once frozen, you can carefully remove the danish and tray from the freezer, and place it in an airtight container, or wrap it well in plastic wrap and foil.
- When ready to bake, place frozen pastry onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and brush with an egg wash. Bake for 25-30 minutes at 400 degrees F, or until golden brown.
- Glaze as directed.
∗Flavor Options for Puff Pastry Danishes∗
You can add flavor and variety to these cream cheese puff pastries by topping the cream cheese mixture with one of the following additions.
- Chocolate Chip Danish: Sprinkle ¼ to ½ cup of chocolate chips or chocolate chunks on top of the cream cheese mixture before baking. The chocolate will melt slightly into the cream cheese mixture as the danish bakes.
- Blueberry Danish: Top the cream cheese mixture with ½ cup fresh blueberries, blueberry jam, or blueberry pie filling before baking.
- Raspberry Danish: Use ½ cup of raspberry preserves or jam on top of the cream cheese mixture before baking. I do not recommend fresh raspberries for this recipe.
- Lemon Danish: Top the cream cheese mixture with â…“ cup of lemon curd before baking.
- Strawberry Danish: Use ½ cup of strawberry jam on top of the cream cheese mixture before baking. I do not recommend fresh strawberries for this recipe.
- Cherry Danish: Use â…“ cup cherry pie filling on top of the cream cheese mixture before baking.
More Brunch Recipes
- Mini Breakfast Quiche
- Easy Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
- Green Chile Egg Casserole
- Homemade Breakfast Sausage
- Overnight French Toast Casserole
- Blueberry Coffee Cake
If you enjoyed this cream cheese danish, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below. Also, be sure to let us know what your favorite flavor topping is!

Cream Cheese Danish
Ingredients
- 1 (13-17 ounce package) puff pastry thawed if frozen
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 egg
Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Mix together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon zest, egg, vanilla, and lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Unroll the puff pastry and place it onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Lightly roll out the puff pastry just to remove lines from packaging.
- Spread cream cheese filling down the center of the puff pastry, in about a 2-3 inch wide section. If you are adding any toppings to your danish, add to the top of the cream cheese mixture at this time.
- Cut ½ inch diagonal strips up each side of the dough and then fold those pieces over the filling, alternating sides to resemble a braided pattern. Tuck any excess dough under the ends to seal the danish.
- In a small bowl, mix together an egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Brush the exposed puff pastry with the egg wash.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and cool for at least 10 minutes before glazing.
- For the glaze, mix together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. You want the mixture to drizzle slowly off a fork. Add 1 tablespoon more powdered sugar at a time to thicken or ½ teaspoon more lemon juice to thin.
- Drizzle the lemon glaze over the puff pastry.
Equipment Needed
Notes
Nutrition
This post was orginally published in 2019 but was updated in 2023.
Laikeshia Abrams
This was soooo easy to make. It was absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing
Kristen Chidsey
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
Beth
Yummy! This was such a delicious and great recipe. My family and I absolutely loved this danish! Simply delicious and I will be making this again soon!
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing you plan to make again! Thanks for sharing Beth!
Valentina
I love this delicious cream cheese danish recipe! Loaded with flavors and great for breakfast or dessert!
Kristen Chidsey
It really is suited for both! Glad you enjoyed and thanks for taking the time to review.
Krystle
SO flaky! I love this recipe, my local coffee shop is going to miss me ordering one every morning now that I have this recipe!
Kristen Chidsey
HA! Well, I am happy to save you some money 🙂
Natasha
Made this for breakfast and it was a success! Everyone at home loved it. Thanks for the recipe.
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing when recipes are a hit for other families! Thank you for sharing!
Trang
I'm a sucker for danishes. Love this base recipe, especially now I can add all your other suggested fillings like chocolate chips with this recipe!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed this simple base recipe Trang!
Krissy Allori
These are absolutely delicious! I will be making them again for sure.
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed Krissy 🙂