If you have a sweet tooth and love that perfect balance of creamy and chocolatey, you are going to adore this Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish Passions Recipe. These flaky puff pastry delights filled with smooth cream cheese and studded with melty semi-sweet chocolate chips are a quick yet indulgent treat that tastes like it took hours to make. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, brunch, or a special dessert, they bring a little bakery magic right into your own kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish Passions Recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients that come together for maximum flavor and texture. Each ingredient is carefully chosen to create that flaky, creamy, and chocolatey sensation you’ll crave time and time again.
- Puff pastry (17.3 ounces): The golden, flaky base that rises beautifully, giving these danishes their signature puff and crispness.
- Cream cheese (6 ounces, softened): Provides that luscious, tangy creaminess that complements the sweet chocolate chips perfectly.
- Granulated sugar (2 tablespoons): Adds just a touch of sweetness to balance the cream cheese’s tang.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances every bite with warm, aromatic notes.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (½ cup): Melts in the oven to oozing, gooey pockets of chocolate heaven.
- Egg (1 large) and water (2 tablespoons): Together they create the egg wash that gives the pastry an irresistible golden glow.
- Powdered sugar (â…“ cup): For dusting or making a light glaze to add a delicate sweetness on top.
- Heavy cream (2 tablespoons): Used to thin the powdered sugar glaze if you choose to drizzle it on after baking.
How to Make Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish Passions Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Puff Pastry
Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Thaw your puff pastry according to the package instructions so it’s pliable and ready to cut. This step ensures even puffing and prevents cracking when you score and handle the dough.
Step 2: Cut the Puff Pastry into Rectangles
Carefully unfold your thawed puff pastry sheets on a clean surface. Cut each sheet into six equal rectangles by slicing along the fold marks and then halving each strip. You should have a total of 12 perfect little canvases for your delicious filling.
Step 3: Score and Dock the Pastry
Place your rectangles on an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them about an inch apart. Using a paring knife, gently score a border around each rectangle about three-quarters of an inch from the edge. Then, prick the center area inside your border with a fork to prevent it from puffing up. This technique helps the center stay flat to hold the creamy filling while the edges puff to golden perfection.
Step 4: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
In a small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. This creamy mixture will provide a tangy contrast to the rich chocolate chips and flaky pastry layers.
Step 5: Assemble the Danishes
Generously spoon an equal amount of the cream cheese mixture inside the scored border of each rectangle. Don’t worry about perfection—this rustic look adds charm! Then scatter the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the cream cheese filling to ensure each bite has that irresistible chocolate hit.
Step 6: Brush with Egg Wash and Bake
Beat together your egg and water in a small bowl until combined. Using a pastry brush, carefully apply a thin layer of the egg wash to the pastry border only—this will give your danishes that beautiful, shiny golden crust. Bake them in your preheated oven for about 18 minutes or until they’re puffed up and perfectly golden brown.
Step 7: Optional Glaze for Extra Sweetness
While your danishes cool slightly, mix the powdered sugar and heavy cream to create a smooth glaze. Drizzle it over the warm pastries for a touch of elegance and a lovely extra sweetness. Now you’re ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor!
How to Serve Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish Passions Recipe
Garnishes
To enhance the presentation, dust a little extra powdered sugar over the danishes or add a light drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce. Fresh berries or chopped nuts like pistachios or almonds also make beautiful, crunchy toppings that add texture and color.
Side Dishes
These danishes pair wonderfully with a cup of rich coffee or a latte to balance the sweetness. For brunch, serve alongside fresh fruit salad or a light yogurt parfait to keep the meal bright and refreshing.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish Passions Recipe on a decorative platter with edible flowers for a stunning centerpiece. Alternatively, serve them warm in small individual baskets lined with parchment paper for a cozy, homemade vibe that’s sure to impress guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (which might be hard!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain freshness. The pastry stays flaky, and the filling keeps its creamy texture without becoming dry.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked assembled danishes by placing them on a tray, freezing until firm, then transferring to a sealed bag or container. When ready, bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. This is perfect for prepping ahead for a special occasion or last-minute treat.
Reheating
Warm leftover danishes in a 350-degree oven for about 5 to 7 minutes to refresh that crispy exterior and melt the chocolate just enough to bring back all the deliciousness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the pastry soggy.
FAQs
Can I use cream cheese straight from the fridge?
It’s best to soften the cream cheese to room temperature so it blends smoothly with the sugar and vanilla, creating a creamy filling without lumps.
What if I don’t have puff pastry sheets?
Puff pastry is key to this recipe’s texture, but in a pinch, you could try phyllo dough or croissant dough—though the results will vary.
Can I substitute dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet?
Absolutely! Dark chocolate will provide a richer bitterness that balances the sweetness and tanginess beautifully.
Is it possible to make these danishes gluten-free?
Using gluten-free puff pastry is the way to go. Many stores now carry gluten-free options that will work just as well.
How long can I keep the danishes before they go stale?
For the best experience, enjoy them within two days when stored properly. Beyond that, the pastry tends to lose its crispness and the filling can dry out.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish Passions Recipe highly enough if you want to impress yourself and others with minimal effort. Every bite offers flaky, creamy, and chocolatey goodness that feels like a special occasion. So grab that puff pastry, whip up the filling, and treat yourself to a homemade bakery delight—you won’t regret it!
Print
Chocolate Cream Cheese Danish Passions Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Chocolate Cream Cheese Danishes are flaky, buttery puff pastry treats filled with a smooth cream cheese mixture and topped with semi-sweet chocolate chips. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful dessert, these danishes combine creamy, sweet filling with the crisp puff pastry exterior for an indulgent yet easy-to-make pastry.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry
- 17.3 ounces puff pastry (two sheets thawed according to package directions)
Cream Cheese Filling
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons water
Glaze
- â…“ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) to prepare for baking the danishes.
- Prepare puff pastry: Unfold both sheets of puff pastry and lay flat on a clean surface. Using a knife, cut along fold marks to create three equal strips per sheet; then cut each strip in half to make a total of 12 rectangles.
- Arrange pastries: Place the 12 pastry rectangles onto an ungreased large cookie sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for expansion during baking.
- Score pastry borders: With a paring knife, gently score a border around each rectangle approximately ¾ inch from the edge without cutting all the way through. Then, use a fork to prick holes in the center part of each pastry to prevent puffing in the filling area.
- Make cream cheese filling: In a small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Fill pastries: Spoon equal amounts of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each pastry rectangle. Spread within the scored border area; it can be rustic and uneven.
- Add chocolate chips: Evenly sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips over the cream cheese filling on each pastry.
- Prepare egg wash: Beat together the egg and water in a small bowl until fully combined.
- Apply egg wash: Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the outer scored borders of each pastry with the egg wash. Discard any remaining mixture.
- Bake pastries: Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 18 minutes until the danishes are puffed and golden brown.
- Prepare glaze and serve: While pastries bake, whisk together powdered sugar and heavy cream until smooth. Once danishes are cooled slightly, optionally drizzle or brush the glaze over the top for added sweetness and shine.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened for easy mixing and a smooth filling.
- Scoring the pastry borders is key to letting the edges puff separately from the center filling.
- Use an ungreased baking sheet to get the best puff pastry rise without sticking.
- The glaze is optional but adds a lovely sweet finish and glossy look.
- Store leftover danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently in a warm oven before serving to refresh the crispness.
