Cheese danish is a delicious breakfast pastry that’s perfect with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Making it from scratch may seem daunting, but with the right ingredients and techniques, it’s actually quite simple. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of making cheese danish from start to finish, including tips for shaping and filling, baking, and serving. Let’s get started!

The ingredients you’ll need to make cheese danish from scratch

Before you start making cheese danish, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients. For the dough, you will need:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup whole milk, at room temperature
• 1 egg, at room temperature

For the cheese filling, you will need:

• 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg yolk

You will also need an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp water), and powdered sugar for dusting.

Once you have gathered all the ingredients, it’s time to start making the dough. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Mix well and set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together the butter, milk, and egg until well combined. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.

After the dough has been made, it’s time to prepare the cheese filling. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and egg yolk until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

Now that the dough and cheese filling are ready, it’s time to assemble the cheese danish. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle and cut it into squares. Place a dollop of the cheese filling in the center of each square and fold the corners over to create a pocket. Brush the egg wash over the top of each pocket and bake in the oven until golden brown. Once they are done, dust the cheese danish with powdered sugar and serve.

Step-by-step instructions for making the perfect dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the yeast and mix again.2. Using a pastry cutter or your hands, cut the butter into small cubes and add to the mixture. Use your fingers to blend the butter into the flour mixture until pebbly.3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk and egg. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and stir to combine.4. Continue to stir until the mixture forms a ball of dough.5. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 5-10 minutes, adding more flour as necessary to prevent the dough from sticking.6. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

7. After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and knead it again for a few minutes. This will help to redistribute the yeast and create a more uniform texture.8. Divide the dough into equal portions and shape them into balls. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let them rest for another 30 minutes.9. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).10. Brush the dough balls with egg wash and sprinkle with your desired toppings, such as sesame seeds or poppy seeds.11. Bake the dough balls for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.12. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

13. For a sweeter dough, you can add a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup to the milk mixture. This will give the dough a subtle sweetness that pairs well with cinnamon or raisins.14. If you want to make a savory dough, you can add herbs and spices to the flour mixture, such as garlic powder, oregano, or rosemary. This will give the dough a delicious flavor that is perfect for making breadsticks or pizza crusts.

How to prepare the cheese filling for your danish

1. In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and egg yolk until well combined.2. Cover the bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.

3. For a tangier flavor, you can add a tablespoon of lemon juice to the cheese filling mixture. This will give your danish a refreshing twist.

Tips for shaping and filling your danish

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.2. On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.3. Cut the rectangle into 6-8 equal squares.4. Spoon about 1 tbsp of the chilled cheese filling onto the center of each square.5. To shape the danish, fold each corner of the square towards the center, pressing down gently to seal.6. Brush the egg wash over the top of each danish, using a pastry brush.7. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the danish are golden brown and puffy.

8. For a sweeter danish, you can substitute the cheese filling with fruit preserves or a mixture of cream cheese and powdered sugar.9. To add a crunchy texture, sprinkle some sliced almonds or chopped pecans on top of the egg wash before baking.10. Allow the danish to cool for a few minutes before serving, as the filling can be very hot.

The best baking techniques for a flaky and golden crust

The key to a flaky and golden crust is to make sure the oven is preheated to the correct temperature, and to brush the egg wash generously over the top of each danish. Be sure to bake the danish on the middle rack of the oven, and rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning.

Another important factor in achieving a flaky and golden crust is to use cold butter and cold water when making the dough. This helps to create layers in the dough, which will result in a flaky texture. Additionally, it’s important to handle the dough as little as possible to prevent it from becoming tough.

If you’re making a pie crust, it’s a good idea to blind bake the crust before adding the filling. This means baking the crust without the filling for a short period of time, which will help to prevent a soggy bottom. To blind bake, line the crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans before baking.

How to add a sweet glaze to your cheese danish

To add a sweet glaze to your cheese danish, mix together 1 cup powdered sugar and 2-3 tbsp milk or heavy cream until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the warm danish and let set for a few minutes before serving.

For an extra burst of flavor, you can also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a squeeze of lemon juice to the glaze mixture. This will give your cheese danish a unique and delicious taste that will leave your taste buds wanting more.

If you want to get creative with your glaze, you can also add food coloring to make it more visually appealing. Just add a few drops of your desired color to the glaze mixture and mix well. This is a great way to add some fun and excitement to your cheese danish, especially if you’re making them for a special occasion or event.

Cheese danish variations to try, including fruit and chocolate fillings

Once you’ve mastered the basic cheese danish recipe, try experimenting with different fillings. Some popular variations include:

• Blueberry or raspberry jam
• Sliced strawberries or peaches
• Chopped apples or pears, mixed with cinnamon and sugar
• Chocolate chips or Nutella

Another delicious variation to try is adding a layer of cream cheese filling on top of the fruit or chocolate filling. To make the cream cheese filling, mix together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Spread a thin layer on top of the fruit or chocolate filling before folding the danish dough over it. This will add an extra layer of creaminess and flavor to your cheese danish.

Common mistakes to avoid when making cheese danish from scratch

1. Overworking the dough – this can result in tough and chewy danish. Be sure to knead the dough just until it comes together and rest it for an hour before shaping.2. Using cold ingredients – make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before you start.3. Over-baking – keep an eye on the danish during baking. They should be golden brown, but not burnt.

4. Not using enough filling – the filling is what makes a cheese danish so delicious. Be generous with the cream cheese filling and make sure it’s evenly distributed throughout the pastry.5. Skipping the egg wash – brushing the danish with an egg wash before baking gives it a beautiful golden color and a shiny finish. Don’t skip this step!6. Not letting the danish cool before serving – it’s tempting to dig in right away, but letting the danish cool for a few minutes will help the filling set and prevent it from oozing out.

Serving suggestions and storage tips for your homemade cheese danish

Cheese danish is best served warm, straight from the oven. But if you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

With these tips in mind, you can easily make delicious cheese danish from scratch. Enjoy!

If you want to add some extra flavor to your cheese danish, try sprinkling some cinnamon or nutmeg on top before baking. You can also add some fruit, such as sliced strawberries or blueberries, to the cheese filling for a fruity twist.

For a more indulgent treat, drizzle some icing over the top of your cheese danish. To make the icing, mix powdered sugar with a little bit of milk and vanilla extract until it reaches a smooth consistency. Drizzle over the top of the danish while it’s still warm.