Easy Cheese Danish Barefoot Contessa

Indulge in the delicate flakiness of this Easy Cheese Danish Barefoot Contessa recipe, a luxurious yet effortless treat perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Featuring velvety cream cheese blended with a hint of vanilla and zesty lemon, this recipe delivers a delightfully rich and creamy filling encased in golden, buttery puff pastry. With only 15 minutes of prep time, these danishes are quick to assemble and bake to perfection in under 20 minutes. The secret to their irresistible allure lies in the light scoring of the pastry edges and a glossy egg wash, ensuring a beautifully puffed and golden finish. Serve these homemade cheese danishes warm from the oven, optionally dusted with powdered sugar for that extra touch of sweetness. Perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself, these simple, elegant pastries are sure to become a family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 44/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 0.33 cup granulated sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 frozen puff pastry sheets
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Beat the mixture with a hand mixer or whisk until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

Step 3

Unfold the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into 4 equal squares, creating 8 squares total.

Step 4

Place the squares on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each piece.

Step 5

With a sharp knife, lightly score a 1/2-inch border around the edges of each square, being careful not to cut all the way through.

Step 6

Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each square, spreading it out slightly but keeping it within the scored border.

Step 7

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to make an egg wash. Brush the edges of the puff pastry squares with the egg wash to create a golden, glossy finish.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.

Step 9

Remove the danishes from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes.

Step 10

Optionally, dust the danishes with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(513.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1846.7

Total Fat 127.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 59.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.4g
Cholesterol 784.1mg	0%
Sodium 1231.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 152.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.7g	0%
Total Sugars 92.1g
Protein 32.6g	0%

Vitamin D 77.6IU	0%
Calcium 310.4mg	0%
Iron 4.7mg	0%
Potassium 518.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.8%

Protein: 6.9%

Carbs: 32.3%