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Flaky Star-Shaped Cream Cheese Danish Pastries

star-shaped cream cheese Danish pastries - featured image
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An easy and beginner-friendly recipe for flaky, buttery Danish pastries filled with a tangy cream cheese mixture, shaped into charming stars perfect for brunch or holidays.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed (about 9 x 9 inches each)
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened (full fat recommended)
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp lemon zest, freshly grated
  • 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • 1/4 cup (30g) powdered sugar (optional, for glaze)
  • 1–2 tbsp milk or water (to mix with powdered sugar for glaze)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth and creamy, about 3-5 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Lightly flour your surface and roll out each puff pastry sheet to about 12 x 12 inches (30 x 30 cm).
  4. Cut the pastry sheets into star shapes about 4 inches (10 cm) wide, approximately 8 stars per sheet.
  5. Place a heaping teaspoon of cream cheese mixture in the center of each star, avoiding overfilling.
  6. Gently fold the points of each star towards the center over the filling, slightly overlapping the tips, and pinch lightly to hold the shape.
  7. Brush each pastry with beaten egg for a golden, shiny crust.
  8. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until pastries are puffed and golden brown, watching closely to avoid burning.
  9. Cool pastries on a rack for 5-10 minutes.
  10. Optional: Whisk powdered sugar with milk or water until smooth and drizzle over warm pastries.

Notes

Keep ingredients cold to ensure puffiness. Avoid overfilling the cream cheese to prevent leaks. Use egg wash liberally for a golden crust. Check oven at 12 minutes to avoid burning. Pastries can be frozen before baking and baked from frozen with extra time.

Nutrition

Keywords: cream cheese Danish, star-shaped pastries, puff pastry, easy Danish recipe, beginner pastry, brunch pastries, flaky pastries

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/flaky-star-shaped-cream-cheese-danish-pastries-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-beginners/