These Cream Cheese Puff Pastries recipe will give you the perfect cream cheese Danishes that are layers upon layers of crisp, flaky, buttery pastry topped with delicious vanilla cream cheese filling and sprinkled with sugary crumb goodness!
Not only do they look elegant but they’re also incredibly delicious! You can serve these individual dessert treats for any occasion, and they’ll fit right in!
I've made these attractive treats countless times and each time they fly off the baking pan in a blink of an eye. They are truly delicious, every bite just melts in your mouth.
They're kid-friendly and so easy to make that you can easily turn them into a fun edible project with your kiddos. You can do any flavor variation to your kid's liking, using cherry, strawberry, or apple pie filling.
This post includes variations ideas and how to incorporate them into the recipe so that you can make it your own!
This is, by far, the most perfect cream cheese Danish recipe you’ll find online and it gives perfect results every single time! If you try them once, you’ll be making them again and again I’m sure of it!
Want to learn how to make them? Then keep on reading!
Table of Contents
- What are Cream Cheese Puff Pastries?
- What’s So Special About This Cream Cheese Puff Pastries Recipe?
- What You Need to Make Cream Cheese Puff Pastries
- How to Make Cream Cheese Puff Pastries Step by Step
- 🎥 Video Recipe
- Other Flavor Variation Options You Can Try
- How to Store Cream Cheese Puff Pastries
- Similar Recipes
- Recipe Card
What are Cream Cheese Puff Pastries?
Cream cheese puff pastries are delicious treats that are made using puff pastry, which is a flaky light pastry that’s made using a laminated dough which layers of dough and butter.
These pastries are then filled with the most delicious cream cheese filling and topped with puff pastry crumbs.
When the Cream Cheese Puff Pastries are baked, gaps form between the layers because of the butter layer which then makes these incredibly light, delicious, and flaky!
They’re honestly an absolute treat to have and are so versatile that you can top it off with whatever kind of topping you prefer. I’ve listed down 6 different types of variations you can add to this delicious recipe to make it your own.
They’re also quick and easy to make, and always turn out beautiful. They’re a perfect snack and dessert and can be served as breakfast pastries for brunch or special occasions.
The flaky puff pastry mixed with the sweet cream cheese makes these a delight, unlike any other danish you’ve had.
What’s So Special About This Cream Cheese Puff Pastries Recipe?
Easy: It’s incredibly easy to make and doesn’t require any planning ahead of time!
Pantry-staple ingredients: This dish packs a punch when it comes to flavor, but it only requires pantry-staple ingredients that are easy to find and give you great results every single time!
Big flavors: Don’t underestimate the simple ingredients this recipe calls for because you’re going to get big flavors that everyone seems to absolutely love!
Customizable and versatile: This recipe is absolutely perfect on its own but if you’re looking for the perfect Cream Cheese Puff Pastries recipe to use as a base and to experiment with, this is the one you need. I’ve listed some variation ideas at the end of this post so you can customize them according to your preference!
Family-friendly: This recipe has beautiful flavors but it’s perfect for particularly everyone! Kids and adults seem to love it.
Make-Ahead: This recipe freezes really well so making them ahead of time is perfect as it’ll save you time and you can whip them up whenever you’re in the mood for them!
What You Need to Make Cream Cheese Puff Pastries
This recipe for Cream Cheese Puff Pastries is so easy you’d be surprised! The best part is that you need simple, pantry-essentials to make these beautiful treats. Here’s everything you need to make them at home:
Puff pastry sheets: You’ll need 2 puff pastry sheets for this entire recipe. Any good quality store-bought puff pastry will work perfectly to make these delicious treats.
For Cream Cheese Filling:
Cream cheese: Cream cheese makes the filling absolutely delicious and creamy, which perfectly complements the flakiness of the puff pastries. We’ll be using softened cream cheese to make the filling.
Sugar: You can use regular sugar to sweeten the cream cheese filling. I usually prefer using organic sugar in my house.
Vanilla extract: We’ll be using two teaspoon vanilla extract to add the slightest touch of vanilla which really brings out the flavor in the cream cheese and makes these incredibly tasty.
For Puff Pastries Crumbs:
All-purpose flour: The puff pastry crumbs add a beautiful texture to the Cream Cheese Puff Pastries, and we need all-purpose flour as the base the get the perfect crumbs to top our pastries off.
Sugar: We need regular sugar to sweeten these crumbs. I’ve used organic sugar but feel free to use whichever one you prefer.
Butter: Butter makes it all come together and gives the crumbs the perfect base to become crumbly and rich. We’ll be using melted unsalted butter to get the perfect crumbs.
For Egg Wash:
Eggs: You’ll need one large egg in the egg wash. Eggs a shine to the puff pastries and the yolk will help give them a beautiful golden brown color when it is baked.
Water: We’ll need water to thin out the egg wash so that it goes on smoothly
How to Make Cream Cheese Puff Pastries Step by Step
Making Cream Cheese Puff Pastries is so simple and easy, but they always turn out stunning. I’ve included a video in this post too, so you know exactly how to make them.
For all the steps in this recipe, you can use either a stand mixer or an electric mixer, whichever one you have at hand.
Here’s what you need to do to make Cream Cheese Puff Pastries step by step:
How to Make Cream Cheese Filling
Let’s make the cream cheese filling first. Start by beating softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in a small glass bowl until smooth in texture. Set aside until ready for use.
How to Make Butter Crumb Toppings
Now let’s make the crumb topping that will go on your Cream Cheese Puff Pastries for a delicious flavor and texture.
To make them, combine flour and sugar using a hand whisk. Then add melted butter and whisk everything together into crumby bits.
Set it aside until it’s ready for use.
How to Make Egg Wash
Egg wash adds a beautiful golden-brown color to your Cream Cheese Puff Pastries.
To make it, beat egg and water together until well blended and foamy. Set it aside as well until ready for use.
How to Assemble and Make Cream Cheese Puff Pastries
Now let’s put it all together, assemble and bake these delicious Cream Cheese Puff Pastries.
Start by cutting the puff pastry sheet into three by three-inch squares.
Alternatively, you can also cut them into two by two-inch squares as long as the squares are equal on all sides.
Next, cut two slits using a sharp knife creating a border-like appearance, and connecting at one corner. Repeat at the opposite corner, leaving the remaining two corners intact.
Now, spoon a dollop of cream cheese mixture filling into the middle square of the assembled pastry.
Brush the borders of the pastries with egg wash, using a silicone brush which will add beautiful color to them and also help seal them.
Finally, sprinkle with butter crumbs, prepared earlier.
Time to bake these beauties! Place your Cream Cheese Puff Pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
Bake the pastries in a preheated oven at 400 F for 18 to 20 minutes or until lightly golden brown in color. Cool the pastries before serving.
Enjoy with a hot cup of tea or a homemade latte as a snack or for brunch!
🎥 Video Recipe
Watch Video Below on How to Make these Cream Cheese Puff Pastries
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Other Flavor Variation Options You Can Try
There are many ways you can add more flavor variations to the cream cheese topping. I’ve listed some of my favorite ideas below but feel free to experiment and make this recipe your own.
- Cherry: You can add cherry pie filling on top of the cream cheese mixture before baking for the perfect cherry cream cheese puff pastries.
- Strawberry: You can add strawberry jam on top of the cream cheese mixture before baking for the perfect strawberry cream cheese puff pastries.
- Apple: You can add apple pie filling on top of the cream cheese mixture before baking for the perfect apple cream cheese puff pastries.
- Blueberry: You can top the cream cheese mixture with blueberries, blueberry jam, or blueberry pie filling before baking for the perfect blueberry cream cheese puff pastries.
- Raspberry: You can add raspberry preserves or jam on top of the cream cheese mixture before baking for the perfect raspberry cream cheese puff pastries.
- Lemon: You can top the cream cheese mixture with lemon curd before baking for the perfect lemon cream cheese puff pastries.
- Chocolate Chip: You can sprinkle chocolate chips or chocolate chunks on top of the cream cheese mixture before baking. This will make the chocolate melt slightly into the cream cheese while it bakes, and you’ll get the perfect chocolate cream cheese puff pastries.
How to Store Cream Cheese Puff Pastries
These Cream Cheese Puff Pastries freeze beautifully so you can make them ahead of time and save even more time later.
To do this, just portion them into containers or food wrap and if you want to enjoy one with your latte the next morning, all you need to do is pull one pastry out and place it in the fridge to thaw overnight. And in the morning pop it in a toaster oven for a bit and voila!
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Recipe Card
Cream Cheese Puff Pastries (Video)
Ingredients
Puff Pastries Cream Cheese Ingredients
- 16 oz. – soften cream cheese
- ¾ cup – organic sugar
- 2 tsp. – pure vanilla extract
Puff Pastries Crumbs Ingredients
- ⅓ cup – organic all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup – organic sugar
- 4 tbsp. – melted unsalted butter
Cream Cheese Puff Pastries Egg Wash Ingredients
- 1 large – egg I used home egg
- 2 tbsp. – water
Puff Pastry
- 2 – puff pastry sheets
Instructions
How to Make Cream Cheese Filling
- Let’s make the cream cheese filling first. Start by beating softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in a small glass bowl until smooth in texture. Set aside until ready for use.
How to Make Butter Crumb Toppings
- Now let’s make the crumb topping that will go on your Cream Cheese Puff Pastries for a delicious flavor and texture.
- To make them, combine flour and sugar using a hand whisk. Then add melted butter and whisk everything together into crumby bits.
- Set it aside until it’s ready for use.
How to Make Egg Wash
- Egg wash adds a beautiful golden-brown color to your Cream Cheese Puff Pastries.
- To make it, beat egg and water together until well blended and foamy. Set it aside as well until ready for use.
- How to Assemble and Make Cream Cheese Puff Pastries
- Now let’s put it all together, assemble and bake these delicious Cream Cheese Puff Pastries.
- Start by cutting the puff pastry sheet into three by three-inch squares.
- Alternatively, you can also cut them into two by two-inch squares as long as the squares are equal on all sides.
- Next, cut two slits using a sharp knife creating a border-like appearance, and connecting at one corner. Repeat at the opposite corner, leaving the remaining two corners intact.
- Now, spoon a dollop of cream cheese mixture filling into the middle square of the assembled pastry.
- Brush the borders of the pastries with egg wash, using a silicone brush which will add beautiful color to them and also help seal them.
- Finally, sprinkle with butter crumbs, prepared earlier.
- Time to bake these beauties! Place your Cream Cheese Puff Pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
- Bake the pastries in a preheated oven at 400 F for 18 to 20 minutes or until lightly golden brown in color.
- Cool the pastries before serving.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!