Easy Cheese Danishes for Easter Brunch

Easy Cheese Danishes for Easter Brunch

Makes 6

Ingredients

For the danishes:

2 sheets of puff pastry dough or 1 large sheet of Jus-roll puff pastry dough ** you could also use crescent roll dough

8 ounce package cream cheese, softened

¼ cup granulated white sugar *Add one additional tablespoon if you prefer a sweeter filling.

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup light brown sugar

For the glaze:

½ cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract or lemon extract

4 teaspoons milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, lemon juice, salt, and vanilla extract. Beat until creamy. Set aside.

3. Lightly unfold the puff pastry sheets on a clean surface. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the pastry into ¼-inch strips.

4. Take about 10 strips per nest and loosely string them into circles, coiling the dough around itself to form 6–8 round “nests.” Gently pinch the ends together to secure.

5. Place the circles on the prepared baking sheet. Using melted butter and a brush, press down the center of each to create a shallow well for the filling. Brush the sides so they brown in the oven. Dust with brown sugar.

6. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each circle.

7. Bake at 400°F for 15–18 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden and crisp.

8. While the danishes bake, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth to create the glaze.

9. Drizzle the glaze over the warm danishes before serving. Add mini eggs for Easter.