This Danish Recipe with Almonds and Cream Cheese is a perfect easy treat to make and serve with your favorite cup of coffee.
If you love pastries, then I know you will fall in love with this Cheese Danish Recipe and this Nutella Croissant recipe.
This recipe was originally posted on March 7, 2015, we’ve tweaked it a bit since then.
Danish Recipe with Almonds and Cream Cheese
Every December my family has a tradition of taking a trip to Leavenworth, which is a little German town in eastern Washington. The first time we visited, we discovered a European bakery there and I fell in love with their pastries, especially their almond danishes. I decided to give it a little twist and add cream cheese instead of custard on the inside. Making your own Danish dough is time-consuming but so worth it. If you prefer a faster method, you can use store-bought puff pastry.
Ingredients for Danish Recipe
Puff Pastry or Danish Dough
Eggs
Cream Cheese
Ricotta Cheese
Sugar
Almond Extract
Apricot Jam
Powdered Sugar
Milk
Almonds
How to Make this Danish Recipe
Before beginning, take the time to read over the printable instructions and full recipe below. This will help you know what to prepare ahead of time and make this recipe easier to manage. If using this danish dough recipe you will need 1/3 of the dough.
Begin by preparing the dough as directed and set aside. You will blend the filling together until smooth, then f0llow the step by step process for spreading the filling over the dough and “braiding” it to create the classic look. You will bake this as directed then once removed from the oven, drizzle the icing on top before serving.
More Delicious Pastry Recipes
Making homemade pastries is one thing that is a perfect way to showcase your baking abilities. These recipes don’t have to be complicated to taste delicious. This Mini Fruit Tart Recipe is a perfect simple dessert that is easy to assemble. Our Cherry Danish is a great option for dessert, breakfast, or just to serve alongside a steaming cup of coffee or tea. For something a bit more simple but still delicate and light, a homemade Apple Strudel or cinnamon sugar puff pastry squares are a perfect choice.
Full Recipe Instructions
Danish Recipe with Almonds and Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- Ingredients for pastry:
- 2 sheets of puff pastry or 1/3 homemade
- Danish Dough
- 1 egg + 1 tbsp water egg wash
- Cream cheese filling:
- 8 cream cheese softened
- 5 tbsp ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp Sugar
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- Toppings:
- 1/2 cup apricot jam + 1 tbsp water glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tbsp milk
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- If you're using my danish dough recipe you will need 1/3 of the dough. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut in half. If you don't want to make your own dough, you can use 2 sheets of thawed puff pastry dough rolled out about an inch long ways.
- Using an electric mixer blend cream cheese, ricotta cheese, sugar, and almond extract.
- Cut the top corners off, and begin cutting strips diagonally down the sides of the pastry. You should end up with about 10 strips on each side. Once you reach the bottom strip, cut off the remaining flaps.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture in the middle third of each pastry and begin crossing over each strip, alternating between sides.
- Before you cross over last strips, fold in the bottom middle flap.
- Beat 1 egg with 1 tbsp water and brush the egg wash on top of the pastry. If you're using homemade dough, let the pastry rise for about 1 hour before putting it in the oven
- Bake in a preheated 400 degree Fahrenheit oven for 20 minutes or until golden in color.
- While the danish is in the oven, heat 1/2 cup apricot jam in the microwave and strain any chunks with a small mesh. Mix in 1 tbsp water just enough to combine.
- Once the Danish is done, brush on the apricot glaze right away. This will prevent the Danish from becoming dry.
- While the Danish is cooling, mix together the powdered sugar and milk.
- After the danish has cooled, drizzle the top with the powdered sugar and milk mixture and sprinkle with sliced almonds.
Nutrition
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Jennie says
Just made this and took my first bite…da bomb! Followed the recipe exactly except for the apricot glaze and the amount of powdered sugar glaze. Instead I brushed mine with a salted cardamom honey glaze and used about a quarter of the powdered sugar glaze on top. I also toasted the almonds prior to putting on top.
This was the first danish I have made ….. now in rotation as this recipe allows for so many different additions to the filling! Yum.
simplyhomecooked says
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe Jennie. It makes me so happy when my readers nail a time-consuming recipe! You’re awesome Jennie!
Olia says
How do you store the left overs? My quickly dried and became stale overnight.
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Olia, are you talking about the filling?
Yelena says
Dina you are awesome! I am impressed! Love your recipes!
admin says
Thank you so much Lena 🙂