As the aroma of baked pastries wafts through my kitchen, I can’t help but reminisce about the holiday mornings spent savoring the warm, flaky goodness of fresh-baked treats. Today, I’m excited to share my recipe for Chocolate Cream Cheese Danishes—a simple yet indulgent puff pastry dessert that turns any gathering into a celebration. With just a few ingredients and some easy steps, you’ll create a rich, creamy filling that perfectly balances the sweet and tangy notes of cream cheese, topped with a luscious chocolate ganache. These delightful pastries are not only a crowd-pleaser but also a fantastic way to get the kids involved in the kitchen during the holiday season. Ready to impress your family and friends? Let’s dive into this irresistible recipe!
Why are Chocolate Cream Cheese Danishes so irresistible?
Easy to Make: These danishes come together with minimal effort, making them perfect for busy mornings or unexpected guests. Just thaw, mix, and bake!
Decadent Flavors: The rich chocolate ganache paired with a creamy filling creates an indulgent experience that’s hard to resist. Each bite is pure bliss!
Versatile Treat: Customize your danishes by experimenting with different fillings or toppings, like fresh fruits or nuts, to cater to your audience’s taste, just as you would with a Chocolate Chip Cookie or Banana Bread Chocolate.
Perfect for Holidays: Impress your family and friends with these elevated pastries during holiday gatherings, ensuring they’re always a festive favorite.
Kid-Friendly: Involve the little ones in the kitchen; they’ll love shaping and filling the pastries while creating lasting family memories!
Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish Ingredients
For the Pastry
• Frozen Puff Pastry Sheets – A flaky base that provides the perfect texture; ensure they are fully thawed for easy handling.
For the Cream Cheese Filling
• Cream Cheese (8 oz.) – Creamy and tangy, this is the star of the filling; use room temperature for effortless mixing.
• White Granulated Sugar (1/3 cup) – Sweetens the filling beautifully; feel free to switch to brown sugar for a richer flavor.
• Pure Vanilla Extract (2 tsp) – Elevates the flavor profile of the cream cheese; you can omit it for a simpler taste.
For the Egg Wash
• Large Egg (1) – Gives the danishes a golden, shiny finish; can be replaced with milk for a vegan alternative.
• Water (1 tsp) – Helps thin out the egg wash; omit if sticking solely with egg.
For the Ganache Topping
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (1 cup) – Key ingredient for that decadent chocolate ganache; milk chocolate can be swapped for a sweeter topping.
• Heavy Cream (3/4 cup) – Essential for a rich ganache texture; light cream works too but won’t deliver the same lushness.
These chocolate cream cheese danish ingredients come together to create a heavenly puff pastry dessert that will charm everyone at your holiday gatherings!
Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish
Step 1: Thaw Pastry
Remove the frozen puff pastry sheets from the freezer and place them on the counter for about 30 minutes, allowing them to soften. Ensure they are fully thawed before handling to maintain their flaky texture, and prepare a clean, flat surface for rolling.
Step 2: Make Ganache
In a small saucepan, heat 3/4 cup of heavy cream over medium heat until it starts to steam, but do not let it boil. Once steaming, pour the hot cream over 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips in a bowl. Allow it to sit for 1.5 minutes before stirring until smooth, then let the ganache cool for 2 hours at room temperature.
Step 3: Prepare Filling
In a mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to beat 8 oz. of room temperature cream cheese for about 1 minute until smooth. Gradually add 1/3 cup of white granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract, mixing until the filling is completely blended and fluffy, creating the luscious center for your chocolate cream cheese danishes.
Step 4: Cut Pastry
On your floured surface, gently roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets to ensure they are smooth. Cut each sheet into 6 equal rectangles for a total of 12 pieces. This will serve as the base for your danishes, giving them a lovely shape when baked.
Step 5: Add Egg Wash
In a small bowl, whisk together 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon of water until well combined. With a pastry brush, apply the egg wash mixture around the edges of each pastry rectangle, which will help create a beautiful golden color as the chocolate cream cheese danishes bake.
Step 6: Fill Pastry
Take smaller rectangles of pastry and cut a thin border along the inside without cutting through. Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese filling into the center of each rectangle, ensuring the filling is well-distributed and ready to center your chocolate cream cheese danishes.
Step 7: Bake Pastries
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the filled pastries on a lined baking sheet and bake for 17 to 20 minutes, or until they puff up and turn a rich golden brown. Keep an eye on them towards the end to prevent over-baking and achieve the perfect finish.
Step 8: Top with Ganache
Once the danishes have cooled completely after baking, generously spread the prepared chocolate ganache over the center of each pastry. This decadent layer adds a luscious touch to your chocolate cream cheese danishes, creating an irresistible final presentation.
What to Serve with Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish
Elevate your pastry experience by pairing these delightful danishes with complementary sides that complete your holiday feast.
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Fresh Berries: A medley of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries adds a vibrant, juicy contrast to the creamy danish, brightening every bite. The tartness from the berries balances the sweetness beautifully.
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Zesty Citrus Salad: A salad featuring oranges and grapefruits drizzled with honey provides a refreshing, tangy crunch that cuts through the richness of the pastries, adding a delightful freshness to your plate.
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Whipped Cream: Light and airy whipped cream offers a soft, sweet companion to these danishes, enhancing their indulgence while bringing a silky texture that contrasts nicely with the flaky pastry.
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Coffee or Espresso: A warm, rich cup of coffee or bold espresso complements the chocolate ganache, providing the perfect balance of flavors, ensuring every bite feels like a luxurious treat.
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Chocolate Milk: For a playful twist, serve these danishes with a glass of chocolate milk. The cocoa flavor echoes the chocolate topping, making for a delightful dessert experience.
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Vanilla Ice Cream: Creamy vanilla ice cream served alongside the danishes melts luxuriously into the warm pastry, creating a delightful medley of flavors and textures that will leave everyone wanting more.
Expert Tips for Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish
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Thawing Pastry: Ensure your frozen puff pastry is completely thawed. Handling it while still icy can lead to tears and a less flaky texture.
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Room Temperature Cream Cheese: For a smooth filling, let the cream cheese sit at room temperature before mixing. Cold cream cheese will clump and be difficult to blend.
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Ganache Consistency: Keep stirring the ganache until it’s completely smooth. If it becomes too thick, a brief reheat will restore its creamy texture for your chocolate cream cheese danish.
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Egg Wash Care: Don’t skip the egg wash around the edges; it creates a lovely golden finish. If you’re vegan, remember you can use milk instead!
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Cooling Pastries: Allow the danishes to cool completely before topping with ganache. This prevents the chocolate from melting into the filling and maintains that decadent appearance.
Make Ahead Options
These Chocolate Cream Cheese Danishes are wonderful for meal prep, saving you time during busy mornings or holiday gatherings! You can prepare the cream cheese filling and the chocolate ganache up to 3 days in advance. Simply store the filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator and let the ganache sit at room temperature to maintain its smooth texture. When you’re ready to bake, thaw the puff pastry for about 30 minutes, assemble the danishes with the prepared filling, and brush on the egg wash. Bake as directed to get those delicious, flaky pastries that are just as scrumptious as if they were made fresh that day!
How to Store and Freeze Chocolate Cream Cheese Danishes
Room Temperature: Keep your chocolate cream cheese danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their flaky texture.
Fridge: For longer freshness, store the danishes in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just remember to seal them well to prevent them from drying out.
Freezer: If you plan to enjoy these danishes later, freeze them in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight when ready to enjoy!
Reheating: To reheat, pop them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. This keeps the pastry nice and flaky while reviving the delicious flavors.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish Variations
Feel free to get creative with these danishes, making them truly your own with an array of delicious twists!
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Mascarpone Filling: Substitute cream cheese with mascarpone for a richer, creamier filling that adds a touch of Italian elegance. This change elevates the flavor profile, creating a delightful surprise with each bite.
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Fruit-Infused: Instead of a chocolate ganache, top with fresh raspberry or blueberry compote. The tartness of the fruit cuts through the sweetness and adds a refreshing burst of flavor.
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Nutty Twist: Fold in crushed hazelnuts or pecans into the cream cheese filling for added crunch and nutty depth. The textural contrast will elevate your danishes from ordinary to extraordinary.
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Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or cinnamon to the cream cheese filling for a subtle warm spice kick that pairs beautifully with the chocolate. This unexpected heat creates a harmonious balance.
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Gluten-Free Option: Opt for gluten-free puff pastry to create a delicious gluten-free version of these danishes. The secret is in the baking—just ensure you watch the oven for perfect puffiness!
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Lemon Zest Surprise: Incorporate the zest of one lemon into the cream cheese filling for a bright, zesty note that lightens the richness of the pastry. It’s a wonderful way to freshen things up!
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Caramel Drizzle: Finish with a drizzle of caramel sauce over the chocolate ganache for an extra sweet touch. The salty-sweet combination will have everyone reaching for seconds.
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Pumpkin Variation: For a seasonal twist, use pumpkin puree instead of the cream cheese for a delightful pumpkin cream cheese filling. It’s a cozy addition that aligns perfectly with fall festivities, just like my Pumpkin Cream Cheese favorites.
These variations allow you to tailor your chocolate cream cheese danishes to suit any occasion or personal preference, ensuring there’s always a special touch for everyone at the table!
Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish Recipe FAQs
How do I choose the right frozen puff pastry?
Absolutely! When selecting frozen puff pastry, look for brands that guarantee a high butter content for a flaky texture. Ensure the packaging is intact with no signs of freezer burn. I recommend checking the expiration date to ensure you’ll have the best results!
How should I store leftover chocolate cream cheese danishes?
Store your chocolate cream cheese danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them to last longer, refrigerate them for up to 5 days, but ensure they’re well-sealed to prevent drying out.
Can I freeze chocolate cream cheese danishes?
Yes, you can freeze them! After baking and cooling, place the danishes in an airtight container or wrap them individually in plastic wrap before placing them in the freezer. They can be kept for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the fridge and reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
What should I do if my cream cheese filling is lumpy?
If your filling is lumpy, don’t worry! Simply let the cream cheese sit at room temperature longer—this will soften it. Use a hand mixer or strong whisk to beat it again until smooth. If it’s still clumpy, try mixing it in smaller batches until you achieve a creamy consistency.
Are chocolate cream cheese danishes safe for pets?
I recommend keeping these pastries away from pets, as chocolate and dairy can be harmful to dogs and cats. If your furry friend happens to lick a tiny bit, it’s usually fine, but it’s best to avoid sharing these charming treats!
What if my ganache is too thick?
If you’ve found your ganache thick after cooling, no worries! Simply reheat it gently in the microwave or over a double boiler, stirring until it becomes smooth again. This will restore its creamy texture and keep your chocolate cream cheese danishes looking flawless!
Decadent Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish for a Blissful Morning
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Thaw the frozen puff pastry sheets for about 30 minutes until fully softened.
- In a small saucepan, heat heavy cream until steaming, then pour it over chocolate chips and let sit for 1.5 minutes before stirring until smooth.
- Beat the cream cheese in a mixing bowl until smooth, then mix in sugar and vanilla until fluffy.
- Roll out the thawed puff pastry and cut into 12 rectangles.
- Whisk together the egg and water, then brush around the edges of each pastry rectangle.
- Cut a thin border on the inside of smaller pastry rectangles and fill with cream cheese filling.
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake the pastries for 17 to 20 minutes until golden brown.
- After cooling, spread the chocolate ganache over the center of each pastry.
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