Heavenly Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish Recipe for Breakfast

Flaky, golden pastries that melt in your mouth spark joy with this delectable chocolate cream cheese Danish recipe.

Danish bakeries have long perfected the art of creating irresistible morning treats.

Each buttery layer promises a luxurious blend of rich chocolate and smooth cream cheese nestled within crisp, delicate pastry.

The combination of tender dough and decadent filling creates a breakfast experience that feels both indulgent and comforting.

Warm from the oven, these danishes deliver a symphony of textures and flavors that dance across your palate.

Bakers of all skill levels can craft these elegant pastries with simple ingredients and a touch of patience.

You’ll fall in love with this bakery-style treat that brings European cafe magic straight to your kitchen.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes per sheet

Total Time: 3 hours

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 9

Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish Ingredients

• Puff Pastry Sheets: Delicate, buttery foundation that creates flaky layers; choose all-butter variety for richer taste; thaw completely before using.
• Flour: Helps prevent sticking during pastry preparation; use light dusting.

• Cream Cheese: Provides creamy, tangy base for filling; select full-fat version for best texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds perfect sweetness to cream cheese mixture; ensures smooth blending.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile; use pure extract for most authentic taste.

• Egg: Creates golden, glossy pastry exterior; ensures beautiful shine and helps seal edges.
• Water: Helps egg wash spread smoothly; ensures even coating.
• Chocolate Chips: Delivers rich, decadent chocolate layer; choose high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate for best ganache.
• Heavy Cream: Creates silky, luxurious ganache; select freshest cream available.

Tools You’ll Need for Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish

• Sharp Knife: Essential for cutting pastry sheets precisely and scoring borders.
• Hand Mixer: Perfect for beating cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
• Saucepan: Needed to heat heavy cream for chocolate ganache.
• Mixing Bowls: Use small bowls for cream cheese mixture and ganache preparation.
• Whisk: Great for combining egg wash and mixing ingredients.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents pastries from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Cookie Sheets: Provides flat surface for baking danish pastries.
• Wire Rack: Helps cool pastries evenly after baking.
• Measuring Spoons: Useful for precise ingredient measurements.

How to Prepare Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish

• Pastry Awakening

Gently remove frozen puff pastry from its chilly slumber and let it warm up on the kitchen counter for a leisurely 30-minute rest.

• Chocolate Magic

Create a silky chocolate mixture by pouring warm cream over chocolate chips, stirring until a luxurious ganache emerges. Let it relax and thicken to a pudding-like consistency.

• Creamy Filling Preparation

Whip cream cheese into a smooth cloud, blending in sweet sugar and a splash of vanilla until perfectly combined.

• Pastry Transformation

Roll out the softened pastry and slice into delicate rectangles. Brush edges with a golden egg wash, creating a beautiful frame for the filling.

• Oven Readiness

Warm the oven to a toasty 400°F. Carefully place pastry rectangles on parchment-lined baking sheets, creating a gentle border within each piece.

• Filling and Chilling

Dollop creamy mixture into the center of each pastry. Chill the sheets to keep the butter perfectly cold and ensure maximum flakiness.

• Baking Brilliance

Bake until the pastries turn a gorgeous golden brown, allowing each sheet to become a crispy, delectable treasure.

• Chocolate Finale

Once cooled, drizzle the rich chocolate ganache over the cream cheese, creating a decadent masterpiece that begs to be devoured.

Tips for Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish

• Drizzle the ganache in elegant zigzag patterns for a professional bakery-style presentation that enhances visual appeal.
• Prepare the ganache and cream cheese filling up to 2 days in advance, storing them separately in sealed containers in the refrigerator to save precious morning preparation time.
• Experiment with different chocolate varieties like dark, milk, or white chocolate to create unique ganache profiles that complement the creamy filling.
• Keep leftover danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days. Gently reheat in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes to restore their crispy texture and warm, delightful taste.
• For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped nuts like almonds or pistachios over the ganache before it sets completely, adding a delightful textural contrast to the smooth cream cheese and flaky pastry.

Ways to Serve Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish

• Brunch Centerpiece Magic: Place these danishes on a rustic wooden board surrounded by fresh berries and mint leaves for an Instagram-worthy presentation that will impress guests.
• Sweet Morning Companion: Pair these pastries with a hot cappuccino or freshly brewed French press coffee to elevate your breakfast experience and create a luxurious morning moment.
• Dessert Transformation: Serve slightly warmed with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an elegant dessert that turns this breakfast treat into a sophisticated after-dinner indulgence.
• Party Platter Perfection: Arrange the danishes on a decorative platter with varying heights, sprinkle powdered sugar on top, and create a stunning display that will be the talk of any gathering or brunch celebration.

Storing the Danish the Right Way

• Refrigeration Strategies: Store Danish pastries in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for maximum freshness, keeping them crisp and delicious for up to 3 days. Cool the pastries completely before sealing to prevent soggy texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare ganache and cream cheese filling up to 2 days in advance, storing separately in sealed containers within the refrigerator. This technique saves precious morning preparation time.
• Freezing Friendly: Unbaked assembled Danish can be frozen flat on a baking sheet, then transferred to freezer bags for storage up to 2 weeks. Bake directly from frozen state, adding extra 3-5 minutes to cooking time for perfect golden result.
• Room Temperature Window: Allow refrigerated Danish to sit at ambient temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving, helping restore delicate pastry texture and enhancing overall flavor profile. Warm slightly in low-temperature oven for renewed crispness if desired.

Indulgent Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish

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4.9 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Creamy chocolate cream cheese danish delights pastry enthusiasts with its rich, indulgent flavors. Flaky layers and smooth chocolate filling promise a delectable breakfast or dessert treat you’ll savor with each luxurious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (170 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) heavy cream
• 8 oz (226 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 frozen puff pastry sheets
• ⅓ cup (67 grams) white granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon water

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Instructions

1. Pastry Preparation: Unwrap frozen puff pastry and let soften at room temperature for 30 minutes, ensuring dough becomes pliable without warming excessively.
2. Chocolate Ganache Creation: Melt chocolate chips by pouring steamed heavy cream over them, allowing 90 seconds of rest before stirring to achieve a silky consistency. Cool until pudding-like, approximately two hours.
3. Cream Cheese Mixture: Whip cream cheese with sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and airy using an electric mixer.
4. Pastry Shaping: Dust work surface with flour, unfold pastry sheets, pressing seams together. Slice into 12 precise rectangles, scoring an inner border on each piece.
5. Assembly Technique: Spread cream cheese filling centrally within scored boundaries. Chill pastries strategically – one sheet in refrigerator, another in freezer – to maintain optimal butter temperature.
6. Egg Wash and Finishing: Whisk egg with water, brushing pastry borders for a golden glaze.
7. Baking Process: Position oven rack in middle, preheat to 400°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Bake danishes individually, rotating for even browning, 17-20 minutes.
8. Final Touches: Cool pastries completely on wire racks. Drizzle chocolate ganache over cream cheese filling, creating an elegant artistic finish.
9. Serving Recommendation: Present immediately as an indulgent morning delicacy or sophisticated dessert.

Notes

• Pastry Temperature Trick: Let frozen puff pastry soften gradually at room temperature for 30 minutes to prevent tearing and ensure perfect flakiness.
• Ganache Perfection Technique: Pour hot cream over chocolate chips and wait exactly 90 seconds before stirring to create a smooth, silky chocolate mixture.
• Chill for Flakiness: Strategically refrigerate and briefly freeze pastry sheets to maintain butter’s cold temperature, guaranteeing maximum layers and crisp texture.
• Golden Finish Secret: Brush pastry edges with egg wash and create an inner score line to achieve professional-looking, beautifully risen danishes with a glossy, even color.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes per sheet
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Danish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg