Cheese Danish
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This Cheese Danish boasts a buttery, soft dough enveloping a rich blend of feta and ricotta cheeses. Drizzled with blueberry jam, it’s the perfect balance of savory and sweet, guaranteed to elevate your morning or afternoon tea.
![a few cheese danishes with blueberry jam on a serving platter.](https://www.jocooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/cheese-danish-1-16.jpg)
Easy Homemade Cheese Danish Recipe
This Cheese Danish is my cherished Saturday morning creation. With its rich fusion of feta and ricotta enveloped in a buttery crust, it’s the perfect indulgence alongside my morning coffee. Every bite feels like a comforting weekend ritual, bringing warmth and flavor to my favorite day of the week.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the danish. If you’re out, bread flour can work, but it may result in a slightly chewier texture.
- Butter: Adds richness and flakiness. If needed, substitute with margarine or shortening, but expect a slight change in flavor and texture.
- Sugar: Gives a touch of sweetness to the dough. If you don’t have regular sugar, try using powdered or raw sugar.
- Salt: Enhances flavor. Omit if using salted butter.
- Egg: Provides structure and moisture. If you’re short on eggs, applesauce or mashed bananas can act as binders.
- Active dry yeast: Helps the dough rise. Instant yeast can be a direct swap, but the rise time may vary slightly.
- Water: Activates the yeast and combines ingredients. Ensure it’s lukewarm to best activate the yeast.
- Feta cheese: Adds a tangy flavor. If you don’t have feta, try using goat cheese or any crumbly cheese.
- Ricotta cheese: Creates a creamy texture. Cottage cheese, drained of excess moisture, can be a close alternative.
- Blueberry jam: Offers a sweet contrast to the cheese. You can swap with raspberry, strawberry, or any preferred jam.
- Egg (for brushing): Gives the danish a glossy finish. Milk or heavy cream can offer a similar effect but less shine.
Start by mixing water, sugar, and yeast, letting the mixture bubble up. Combine the egg with melted butter, then blend with flour and salt in a mixer, adding in the yeast mixture until a soft dough forms.
After letting the dough rise, create a savory filling with a blend of feta and ricotta cheeses. Segment the dough into pieces, flattening and filling each with the cheese mixture, then shaping them with slits around the edges for a unique presentation.
After a brief rise, brush each danish with an egg wash and spoon a dollop of blueberry jam at the center. Finally, bake until they’re golden brown, and you’re set for a delightful morning treat!
Expert Tips
- Dough Consistency Matters: Ensure the dough is soft but not sticky. If it’s too wet, add a little more flour; if too dry, a touch more water can help. This ensures your danish is perfectly flaky and not dense.
- Cheese Quality Counts: Opt for high-quality feta and ricotta cheeses. The better the cheese, the richer and more flavorful your danish will be.
- Customize Your Fillings: While blueberry jam is a delicious touch, feel free to experiment with other flavors like raspberry, apricot, or even a sprinkle of lemon zest for a citrusy twist.
- Egg Wash for Shine: Don’t skip the egg wash step; it gives the danish a beautiful golden hue and a shiny finish.
- Watch the Oven: All ovens can vary slightly in temperature. To prevent over-baking, start checking your danish a few minutes before the recommended baking time. They should be golden brown and have a slight firmness when lightly pressed.
Storage
To store your Cheese Danishes, place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them; they’ll stay fresh for up to a week.
If you’re planning even further ahead, these danishes freeze beautifully. Individually wrap each danish in plastic wrap, then store them in a zip-top freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy one, simply thaw it at room temperature or warm it in the oven for a freshly-baked feel. Pairing with a steaming cup of coffee is always recommended.
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Cheese Danish
Ingredients
Dough
- ⅔ cup water (lukewarm)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 egg
- ½ cup butter (melted)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1 cup feta cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
Other
- 4 tablespoon blueberry jam (optional)
- 1 egg (for brushing)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the water, sugar and yeast together and let it sit until the yeast bubbles.
- In another small bowl mix the egg and the butter.
- In the bowl of your mixer, add the flour, salt and mix. Add the butter/egg mixture and the yeast mixture and using the paddle attachment, mix it all together until everything is well incorporated. The dough will be fairly soft.
- Place the dough into an oiled bowl and rub some of the oil all over the dough. Let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size.
- In the meantime combine the ricotta cheese and feta cheese together.
- Divide the dough into 4 pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Flatten each ball so that it’s about 4 inches in diameter. Place a quarter of the cheese mixture in the middle then fold up the sides of the dough to fully cover the cheese. Flatten the dough, so that it’s about 4 inches in diameter again. Using a knife cut the dough, leaving about one inch in the middle, making about 12 slits all the way around.
- Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
- Preheat oven to 375℉.
- Let the pastries rise a bit for another 30 minutes.
- Brush the pastries with egg wash and add a tbsp of blueberry jam in the middle of each pastry.
- Bake for about 45 minutes, or until golden brown.
Notes
- Ensure the yeast bubbles when preparing to guarantee a perfect rise.
- For a more pronounced berry flavor, you can increase the amount of blueberry jam or experiment with other jams.
- Allow the Danish to cool slightly before serving to let the flavors meld.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.