We'll admit it—these quick treats are not technically Danishes, since they don't involve yeasted dough. But nobody will get hung up on semantics when you set these cream-cheese-filled, fruit-swirled beauties on the table. Store-bought puff pastry forms the super flaky base, and a few spoonfuls of good jam sweetens the experience.
Ingredients
Pastry
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1 sheet puff pastry (from a 17.3-ounce package, such as Pepperidge Farm), or a 9-ounce piece all-butter puff pastry (from a 14-ounce package, such as Dufour), thawed
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2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
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1 large egg
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3 tablespoons granulated sugar
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½ teaspoon grated lemon zest, plus 1 tablespoon fresh juice
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6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
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3 tablespoons apricot jam, such as Bonne Maman
Glaze (optional)
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½ cup confectioners' sugar
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1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
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1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus more as needed
Directions
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For the Pastry: Preheat oven to 400°F. Unfold dough on a floured surface. Roll out slightly and trim edges to create a 10-by-10-inch square. Cut into two 10-by-5-inch rectangles. Use tip of knife to score a 3/4-inch border in each piece. Dock center rectangles with the tines of a fork. Transfer both pieces to a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze 10 minutes.
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Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk egg thoroughly. Remove pastry from freezer and brush borders with some of egg. Bake until puffed and golden but not completely cooked, about 15 minutes.
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Meanwhile, add sugar, flour, and lemon zest and juice to remaining egg in bowl; whisk to combine. Add cream cheese and whisk vigorously to combine.
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Remove parbaked pastries from oven and press down centers, creating hollows within raised borders. Evenly divide cream-cheese mixture between hollows and spread to inside border edges to fill. Dollop jam over cream-cheese mixture, then use a skewer to swirl a bit. Return to oven and bake until cheese mixture is just set and pastry is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes more. Let cool on sheet 20 minutes.
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For the Glaze: Whisk together confectioners' sugar, butter, and lemon juice. (Glaze should have the consistency of honey; if needed, whisk in more lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon at a time.) Drizzle over finished pastries and let stand until set, about 30 minutes. Danishes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 day.