The Bent Fork - Morning cheese danish

Morning Cheese Danish 

We usually save this recipe for the holidays. 

My daughter loved waking up to warm cheese Danishes in the winter months. 

Using frozen puff pastry makes this recipe simple for an early morning treat, no matter what the season. 

If you love adding a fruit, try canned cherries or peaches for a finishing touch.

 Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese , room temperature 1/3 cup sugar 3 eggs , at room temperature 2 tablespoons ricotta cheese 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon grated, lemon zest 2 sheets of puff pastry, defrosted cherry preserves

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

In an electric mixer, combine the cream cheese and sugar on a low speed. With the mixer still on a low speed, add two egg yolks, ricotta cheese, vanilla extract, salt, and lemon zest. Mix until combined, do not over mix or whip.

On a lightly flour a cutting board or work surface, unroll one sheet of the puff pastry. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place pastries evenly on the baking sheet.  Cut into Square pieces, approximately 6 inches and place on baking sheet then place a tablespoon of the cheese mixture into the middle of each square.

In small bowl, combine 1 beaten egg and 1 tablespoon of water to as an egg wash. Brush the borders of each pastry with the egg wash, and then fold two opposite corner toward the center of the pastry, so they touch and stick together. Brush the top of each pastry with the egg wash. Repeat this with the second sheet of puff pastry.

Refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the pastries are lightly brown. When cooled add a spoonful of Cherry preserves on the top and serve!