If you’re craving a breakfast or brunch treat that combines flaky, buttery pastry with rich chocolate and creamy cheese, this Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish is a must-try. The combination of sweet cream cheese and unsweetened cocoa powder wrapped in puff pastry creates a dessert that’s both indulgent and comforting. Whether for a special occasion or just because you deserve a treat, this Danish promises an unforgettable flavor experience that will have everyone asking for the recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Easy to Make: This recipe uses store-bought puff pastry, making it quick and easy to prepare while still delivering an impressive result.
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Sweet and Savory Flavor: The balance of creamy cheese and rich chocolate in a buttery pastry will have you coming back for more.
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Visually Stunning: With its golden-brown layers, this Danish is as beautiful as it is delicious, making it the perfect centerpiece for any brunch table.
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Versatile: You can swap the chocolate filling for fruit preserves or nut butters to customize the flavor.
Ingredients
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Puff Pastry: Use store-bought puff pastry for convenience. Make sure to thaw it at room temperature before use.
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Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese gives the filling a rich, creamy texture.
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Powdered Sugar: Balances the tanginess of the cream cheese and adds sweetness.
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Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder provides deep chocolate flavor without adding extra sweetness.
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Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla enhances the overall flavor of the filling.
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Egg Wash: Beat an egg with a little water to brush over the pastry before baking for a golden, shiny finish.
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
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Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. While the oven heats up, allow your puff pastry to thaw at room temperature.
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Prepare the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy.
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Roll Out the Puff Pastry: Unroll the puff pastry on a floured surface. Cut it into squares or rectangles about 4 inches wide. Ensure the edges are slightly thicker to hold in the filling.
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Add the Filling: Spoon a generous amount of the chocolate cream cheese mixture onto each square, leaving some space around the edges for folding.
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Fold and Seal: Fold each corner of the pastry over the filling towards the center, then pinch them together to seal the Danish.
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Brush with Egg Wash: Brush each Danish with the egg wash to give it a glossy, golden finish.
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Bake: Place the Danishes in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed up.
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Cool Slightly and Serve: Allow the Danishes to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm for the best experience!
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 8
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
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Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
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Total Time: 35-40 minutes
Variations
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Fruit Filling: Swap the chocolate cream cheese filling with fruit preserves like raspberry, apricot, or strawberry for a fresh twist.
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Nutty Touch: Add some chopped nuts like pecans or almonds for an extra crunch in the filling or as a topping.
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Cheesy and Sweet: Incorporate mascarpone cheese or Greek yogurt into the filling for a slightly different texture and flavor.
Storage/Reheating
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Room Temperature: Store leftover Chocolate Cream Cheese Danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
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Refrigerator: If you’d like to keep them for longer, store them in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a toaster oven or regular oven for 5-10 minutes to restore the crispiness.
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Freezing: You can freeze these Danishes before baking. To bake from frozen, add 5-7 extra minutes to the bake time.
FAQs
What can I use instead of cream cheese?
You can substitute Greek yogurt or mascarpone cheese for the cream cheese in this recipe.
How long does the dough need to chill?
Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to ensure it’s firm enough to handle and to maintain that flaky texture when baked.
Can I freeze the Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish?
Yes, you can freeze the assembled Danishes before baking. Just bake them from frozen, adding extra time as needed.
Can I make this recipe without an egg wash?
If you prefer not to use an egg wash, you can skip this step. The Danish will still turn out delicious, though the golden finish may not be as shiny.
How do I ensure the pastry stays flaky?
Be sure to handle the puff pastry gently and avoid overworking it. Chilling the dough helps maintain its flakiness.
Can I use a different filling?
Yes! You can swap the chocolate filling for fruit preserves, nut butter, or even a cream cheese-based cinnamon filling for variety.
How do I store leftover Danishes?
Store leftover Danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them fresh for longer, refrigerate them and reheat before serving.
Can I add chocolate chips to the filling?
Definitely! Adding chocolate chips to the filling will give your Danish extra chocolatey goodness.
Can I make the Danish ahead of time?
You can prepare the Danishes a day ahead. Simply assemble and refrigerate them, then bake before serving.
How can I make the filling sweeter?
If you prefer a sweeter filling, you can add a little more powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture to suit your taste.
Conclusion
This Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish is a decadent, crowd-pleasing treat that combines the best of flaky pastry and rich chocolate cream cheese filling. Perfect for brunch, holiday gatherings, or simply as a special breakfast, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. With its easy preparation and incredible flavor, it’s an irresistible addition to any dessert table.
Print
Irresistible Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
Description
This Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish is a heavenly breakfast or brunch treat featuring a rich, chocolatey filling encased in flaky puff pastry. The sweet and savory flavor will have you coming back for more, and it’s perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself on a lazy morning. With an easy-to-follow recipe, these Danishes are the ultimate indulgence!
Ingredients
Puff Pastry (store-bought, thawed)
8 oz full-fat Cream Cheese (softened)
½ cup Powdered Sugar (sifted)
2 tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Egg (beaten with 1 tbsp water for egg wash)
(Optional) ¼ cup Nuts or Fruit Preserves (for extra flavor or texture)
Instructions
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper while your puff pastry thaws at room temperature.
Prepare the Filling: In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy.
Roll Out Puff Pastry: Unroll the puff pastry onto a floured surface. Cut into 4-inch squares or rectangles.
Add the Filling: Spoon a generous amount of the chocolate cream cheese filling into the center of each pastry square. Leave some space around the edges.
Fold and Seal: Fold the corners of the pastry over the filling toward the center and pinch the edges to seal.
Brush with Egg Wash: Brush each Danish with the egg wash for a golden, shiny finish.
Bake: Place on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and puffed.
Cool & Serve: Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm for the best experience!
Notes
Storing & Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in a toaster oven to restore crispiness.
“For extra flavor, try adding fruit preserves or chopped nuts as fillings.”
“Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to keep the pastry flaky and light.”
“Using high-quality chocolate will elevate the flavor of your Danishes.”
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
