This Cream Cheese Danish Braid combines flaky puff pastry with a rich, velvety cream cheese filling for a breakfast treat that looks as impressive as it tastes. Inspired by traditional European pastries, this elegant braid features a golden, crispy exterior and a sweet, tangy center that melts in your mouth. The beautiful braided presentation makes it perfect for special brunches or weekend indulgences while being surprisingly simple to create.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s visually stunning with minimal effort – the braiding technique creates a professional-looking pastry that will impress guests
• Uses store-bought puff pastry, making a complicated-looking dessert actually quite easy to prepare
• The cream cheese filling is perfectly balanced – not too sweet with a hint of vanilla
• Can be prepared in advance and baked fresh when needed
• Customizable with different fillings once you master the braiding technique

Ingredients

• Puff Pastry: Store-bought puff pastry sheets work perfectly here. Allow them to thaw until pliable but still cool for easiest handling.
• Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese provides the richest flavor and creamiest texture. Be sure it’s fully softened to room temperature to avoid lumps in your filling.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances the tanginess of the cream cheese. You can adjust slightly to taste if you prefer a sweeter or less sweet filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract adds warmth and depth to the filling. Consider high-quality vanilla for the best flavor.
• Egg: Used for the egg wash that gives the pastry its golden shine. The protein in eggs helps create that beautiful bakery-style finish.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, lump-free glaze that adds the perfect finishing touch to your danish.
• Milk: Thins the glaze to a drizzling consistency. You can substitute half-and-half or cream for a richer glaze.

Variations

Fruit-Topped Danish

Add a layer of fresh berries, thinly sliced peaches, or apple compote on top of the cream cheese filling before braiding. This adds beautiful color, additional flavor, and a touch of tartness that complements the sweet cream cheese perfectly.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish

Mix 2-3 tablespoons of cocoa powder or ¼ cup mini chocolate chips into the cream cheese filling for chocolate lovers. You could also drizzle the finished danish with melted chocolate instead of the vanilla glaze for an extra decadent treat.

Citrus Cream Cheese Danish

Add the zest of one lemon or orange to the cream cheese filling for a bright, citrusy flavor. This variation works especially well for spring and summer brunches, offering a refreshing twist on the classic.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

Beat the softened cream cheese in a medium bowl until it becomes light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This initial beating incorporates air into the cream cheese, giving your filling a lighter texture. Add the granulated sugar and vanilla extract, then continue beating for another 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.

Step 2: Prepare the Puff Pastry

On a lightly floured surface, gently unfold the mostly-thawed puff pastry sheet. Roll it a few times with a rolling pin to create an even square and seal any cracks that might have formed during thawing. Be careful not to roll it too thin or overwork the dough, as this can prevent it from puffing properly during baking.

Step 3: Assemble and Braid the Danish

Spoon the cream cheese filling down the center of the puff pastry, leaving about 1½ inches free at each end. Cut two slits at each end about 1 inch long and fold these tabs over the filling to create a seal. Next, cut diagonal strips along both sides of the pastry, angling them slightly. Fold the strips over each other in an alternating pattern to create the braided effect, making sure to gently press the ends to seal them.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Whisk together the egg and water to create an egg wash, then brush it generously over the braided pastry. This will give your danish that beautiful golden-brown shine. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry has puffed up and turned a rich golden color. Allow it to cool slightly before adding the glaze.

Step 5: Add the Finishing Touch

While the danish is cooling, prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. When the pastry has cooled for about 10 minutes, drizzle the glaze over the top in a zigzag pattern. The warm pastry will help the glaze set without completely melting it.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Make sure your puff pastry is cold but pliable – if it’s too warm, it won’t puff properly; if it’s too cold, it will crack when you try to braid it
• Keep the cream cheese filling from reaching the very edge of the pastry to prevent it from leaking out during baking
• Make your diagonal cuts for braiding approximately the same width for the most attractive final appearance
• If your kitchen is warm, place the assembled (unbaked) danish in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before baking to ensure the butter in the puff pastry is cold
• Let the danish cool for at least 10 minutes before glazing, but apply the glaze while still slightly warm for the perfect finish
• Use a pizza cutter for clean, easy cuts when creating your braid strips

How to Serve

This Cream Cheese Danish Braid is best served slightly warm or at room temperature. For breakfast or brunch, pair it with fresh berries and a hot cup of coffee or tea. For dessert, consider adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on the side. The danish can be sliced into portions before serving, but do so gently with a serrated knife to maintain the beautiful braided structure.

For an elegant presentation, dust with additional powdered sugar just before serving, or garnish with fresh mint leaves and a few berries. This danish is the star of any breakfast or brunch spread and pairs beautifully with mimosas for special occasions.

Make Ahead

This danish is perfect for preparing in advance. You can make the cream cheese filling up to two days ahead and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just let it come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before using so it spreads easily.

The entire danish can be assembled and refrigerated overnight before baking. Simply prepare through the braiding step, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. In the morning, brush with egg wash and bake directly from the refrigerator, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if needed.

Baked danish will keep at room temperature for up to 2 days in an airtight container, though it’s best enjoyed fresh. You can also freeze the baked danish (unglazed) for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature and warm in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes before glazing and serving.

FAQs

Can I use crescent roll dough instead of puff pastry?

Yes, you can substitute crescent roll dough, though the result will be less flaky and have a slightly different texture. If using crescent rolls, be sure to press the perforations together well before adding the filling and braiding.

Why did my cream cheese filling leak out during baking?

This typically happens if the ends aren’t sealed properly or if you overfill the danish. Make sure to leave adequate pastry at the ends to fold over and seal, and don’t be tempted to add too much filling. About 3-4 tablespoons per pastry is usually perfect.

Can I make this danish with reduced-fat cream cheese?

While you can use reduced-fat cream cheese, it contains more moisture which can make your filling runnier and potentially cause leaking during baking. If using reduced-fat cream cheese, consider adding 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to help stabilize the filling.

How do I know when my danish is done baking?

The danish should be a deep golden brown color, and the pastry should feel crisp to the touch. If you’re uncertain, you can carefully lift the edge of the danish with a spatula – the bottom should also be golden brown and appear dry, not doughy.

Conclusion

This Cream Cheese Danish Braid brings bakery-quality pastry right to your home kitchen with surprisingly little effort. The combination of flaky, buttery pastry and creamy, vanilla-scented filling makes for an irresistible treat that’s perfect for weekend breakfasts, holiday mornings, or anytime you want to make breakfast feel special. With its impressive appearance and delicious taste, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. Give it a try, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different fillings and flavors once you’ve mastered the basic technique!

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