Get Perfectly Flaky Mini Cheese Danish

There’s something undeniably special about walking into a bakery early in the morning. The smell of butter, warm pastry, and sweet cream fills the air, promising comfort before the day even begins. Mini cheese danish pastries bring that same feeling straight into your kitchen—without the long lines or professional equipment. These pastries are delicate, flaky, and filled with a lightly sweetened cream cheese center that melts perfectly into each buttery layer.

What makes these mini cheese danish irresistible is their simplicity. Store-bought puff pastry does the heavy lifting, transforming into golden, crisp layers while the creamy filling delivers that classic bakery-style richness. Whether served for brunch, breakfast gatherings, or a quiet weekend treat, these danish pastries feel elegant yet approachable—exactly the kind of recipe that impresses without stress.

Right At Home, Bakery-Style

These mini cheese danish pastries are crisp on the outside, creamy in the center, and lightly sweet—perfectly balanced and endlessly satisfying. They bake up beautifully golden and look as good as they taste.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Unfold puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut into 9 equal squares.
3. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, vanilla, egg yolk, and lemon juice; mix until creamy.
4. Score a small border around each pastry square, about ½ inch from the edge.
5. Spoon cream cheese filling into the center of each square.
6. Brush edges of pastry with egg wash.
7. Bake for 15–18 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
8. Cool slightly, dust with powdered sugar, and serve warm or at room temperature.

What Makes These Mini Cheese Danish Special

The contrast between crisp pastry and smooth filling is what defines a perfect danish. The puff pastry creates dozens of flaky layers while the cream cheese filling stays rich but not overly sweet. Lemon juice adds subtle brightness, keeping the flavor balanced and light.

Serving & Storage Tips

These mini cheese danish are best enjoyed fresh, but they store well too:

• Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days
• Reheat briefly in the oven for crispness
• Serve with coffee, tea, or fresh fruit

Perfectly Flaky Mini Cheese Danish

Golden, flaky mini cheese danish pastries with a creamy center, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or sweet snacks.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Total Time 33 minutes mins

Servings: 9 danish

Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert

Cuisine: American, European

Calories: 260

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 sheet puff pastry thawed
• 8 oz cream cheese softened

Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Mixing bowl

Method

 

1. Prepare cream cheese filling and cut puff pastry into squares.
2. Fill, egg wash, and bake until golden and flaky.

Notes

Optional toppings include fruit preserves or drizzle of icing.