If your morning coffee run isn't complete without a treat from the Starbucks bakery case, you're not alone. Now, you can make it at home! This amazing copycat Starbucks cheese danish recipe is super quick and delicious, leaving you with a warm, flaky pastry at home in just 30 minutes.
💌 Want to Save This Recipe?
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
What makes this copycat Danish special? It skips the extras and sticks to what made the original iconic - no glaze, no lemon, just that rich cream cheese filling and buttery, flaky pastry. I use an egg yolk and milk wash for a deeper golden crust, and a little docking trick to keep the filling right where it belongs.
This recipe was inspired by my love for simple breakfast treats (chocolate cake pops, anyone?) and pairs perfectly with a Starbucks Irish Cream Cold Brew.
The cheese danish has been a staple at Starbucks for YEARS, and it's easy to see why. Honestly, all of their danishes are delicious! If you haven't tried the Turkey Sage Danish, it's really good, and I recommend giving it a try.
Danishes are a popular choice year-round for a reason!
My family absolutely loves them, but buying them regularly was starting to strain our weekly budget. I knew I had to figure out a way to recreate this fan-favorite pastry at home, and after a few tries, I landed on this foolproof recipe that tastes just like the real deal!
Why you'll love this recipe
- Perfectly Flaky: Using store-bought puff pastry gives you those irresistible, buttery layers without any of the hard work. They bake up golden, crisp, and oh-so-satisfying.
- Dreamy Cream Cheese Filling: The filling is the star of the show! It's rich, sweet, and tangy, with just the right amount of vanilla to make it taste truly special.
- Incredibly Easy: With just a few simple ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time, this recipe is perfect for busy mornings. You don't need to be a professional baker to get amazing results.
- Budget-Friendly: Making these at home costs a fraction of what you'd pay at the coffee shop, so you can enjoy your favorite treat without the guilt.
Key ingredients
This simple recipe comes together with just a handful of ingredients. Here are the stars that make this Danish with cream cheese so delicious:
Puff Pastry: This is our secret weapon! Using a quality, all-butter frozen puff pastry sheet saves so much time and effort. It creates the light, airy, and flaky layers that are essential for a perfect danish. Just remember to thaw it according to the package directions.
Cream Cheese: For the best flavor and texture, use a full-fat block of cream cheese, not the whipped kind in a tub. Let it soften to room temperature so it beats into a smooth, lump-free filling.
Egg Yolk: Brushing the pastry borders with an egg wash (a simple mix of egg yolk and milk) is what gives these danishes their beautiful, shiny, golden-brown finish. It also helps the edges get wonderfully crisp.
Heather's helpful hints
- A pizza cutter works wonders for slicing the thawed puff pastry cleanly and evenly. A bench scraper is great for transferring the delicate pastries to the baking sheet without stretching them.
- Don't skip pricking the center of the pastry with a fork! This step, called "docking," prevents the middle from puffing up too much and pushing all that lovely filling out.
- Keep a close eye on your danishes as they bake. Ovens can vary, and you want them to be perfectly golden brown, not burnt. They're ready when they look puffed up and beautifully colored.
How to make Starbucks cheese Danish
Making this cheese danish pastry is as simple as prep, assemble, and bake!
Note: Don't forget to preheat your oven to 400°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and prep the puff pastry sheet.
Step 1
In a mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Step 2
Score a ½-inch border around each pastry rectangle and prick the center. Add a dollop of filling.
Step 3
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into the center of each pastry rectangle, staying within the scored border.
Step 4
Brush egg wash over the borders of each pastry. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown.
Variations and substitutions
Want to customize your danishes? Here are a few fun ideas:
- Flavor Variations: Swap the vanilla extract in the filling with a teaspoon of almond extract for a nutty twist, or add the zest of one lemon for a bright, citrusy flavor.
- Fruity Fun: Before baking, top the cream cheese filling with a spoonful of your favorite fruit jam, like raspberry or peach, for an extra layer of flavor. I LOVE making a good cherry danish!
- Ingredient Swaps: If you're out of cream cheese, Neufchâtel cheese is a great substitute with a slightly lower fat content.
Recipe
Starbuck's Cheese Danish
Equipment
- Hand Mixer
- Mixing Bowls
- baking sheet
- parchment paper
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed
- 1 egg yolk separated
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Prep the Pastry: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lay out the thawed puff pastry sheets and cut each into six rectangles (12 total). Score a ½-inch border around each rectangle, cutting halfway through. Use a fork to prick the center to prevent excessive puffing.
- Assemble the Base: In a bowl, beat together cream cheese, granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Spread the mixture evenly over the center of each pastry, avoiding the border.
- Egg Wash: Transfer the pastry rectangles to a baking sheet, spaced 1 inch apart. Whisk the egg and milk, then brush the mixture over the pastry borders.
- Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown and puffed up. Transfer pastries to a wire rack to cool slightly.
Notes and Tips
- Cut and Transfer with Ease: Use a pizza cutter to slice along the dough seams and a bench scraper to transfer Danishes intact.
- Baking & Sweetness: Bake for 18-20 minutes. Add a glaze if desired, but it's already quite sweet.
- Flavor Options: Swap vanilla for almond extract or use both for extra flavor depth.
- Reheating Tips: For crispiness, reheat in the oven or air fryer (3-5 minutes); otherwise, it may get soggy in the microwave.
Nutrition
Frequently asked questions
Yes! You can assemble the danishes (without the egg wash) up to a day in advance. Just cover them tightly and store them in the refrigerator.
When you're ready to bake, brush them with the egg wash and pop them in the oven. Once baked, they are best enjoyed the same day but will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Absolutely! You can cut the puff pastry into squares and fold the corners in to create a pinwheel shape, or cut them into circles. Just be sure to score a border and dock the center to keep the filling in place.
Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free puff pastry from the store. Whole Foods is selling Dufour Pastry Kitchens, which is an all-butter puff pastry. Sweet Loren and Schar are also great options!
Baked danishes can be frozen for up to a month. Let them cool completely, then wrap them individually and place them in a freezer-safe bag.
To reheat, bake them directly from frozen at 350°F for 10-12 minutes or until warmed through. This helps them get crispy again.
Steph says
The egg yolk and milk wash made them so golden and gorgeous, and that tip about docking the center was a game-changer — no more runaway filling! My husband thought I actually picked them up from Starbucks. This one’s going in my forever file!
Heather says
Aww, I love hearing that!! The egg wash trick really does make such a difference, right? And yes — docking is one of those little bakery secrets that keeps everything looking (and tasting) perfect. So glad these were a hit with your husband! 💛