Easy Cheese Danish Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm milk
• 2 tsp active dried yeast (Platinum Superior Baking Yeast recommended)
• 4 egg yolks
• 2 Tbsp sour cream
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 3 cups all-purpose flour (high protein flour like Canadian or King Arthur Bread Flour recommended)
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 3 oz unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 1/3 cup cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup jam of choice (optional; strawberry, peach, apricot recommended)
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3 tbsp melted butter
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 Tbsp water

Instructions

1. 1

   Check the yeast: Combine 2-3 tablespoons of warm milk, 1 tsp sugar, and the active dried yeast in a small bowl. Stir to dissolve and let sit for 10-15 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy and rises, indicating active yeast. If it does not, discard and use fresh yeast.

2. 2

   Make the Pastry Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the remainder of the 1 cup warm milk, 1/4 tsp kosher salt, 4 egg yolks, 2 tbsp sour cream, the remainder of the 1/3 cup sugar, 2 tsp yeast (or the frothy yeast mixture), and 3 cups flour. Mix on speed 3 for about 10 minutes until fully combined.

3. 3

   Add butter and knead: Gradually add the softened butter in quarters to the dough while kneading. Continue kneading for about 8 minutes until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, feels tacky, and can stretch into a thin film without tearing.

4. 4

   Let dough rise: Transfer dough to a well-oiled bowl, coat the surface of the dough with a thin layer of oil to prevent drying, and cover with a towel. Place in a warm, draft-free spot (80°F-90°F) such as inside a pre-warmed oven with the light on. Let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

5. 5

   Prepare cream cheese filling: Whip together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Cover and set aside.

6. 6

   Make streusel topping: Mix flour, sugar, and melted butter with a fork or hands until crumbly. Refrigerate until ready to use.

7. 7

   Prepare egg wash: Whisk together egg yolks and water. Cover and set aside.

8. 8

   Divide and shape dough: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 15-16 equal pieces by weight. Shape each piece into a smooth ball by tucking edges underneath. Place buns on a foil or parchment-lined 12″x18″ baking sheet, spacing evenly. Let rest for 10 minutes.

9. 9

   Form indentations: Dip the bottom of a glass or cup into flour and press gently in the center of each dough ball to create an indentation for filling.

10. 10

    Fill with cream cheese and jam: Use a medium ice cream scoop or spoon to fill each indentation with cream cheese filling. Optionally, add 1 tsp of your preferred jam over the cream cheese.

11. 11

    Second rise: Place the filled danishes back into the warm place (oven with light on or top of refrigerator). Let rise until doubled in size, approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour.

12. 12

    Apply egg wash and streusel: Brush the tops of the risen danishes lightly with egg wash. Generously sprinkle streusel topping on each, pressing gently to help it adhere.

13. 13

    Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 20 minutes or until golden brown on the outside. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack slightly before serving.