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This Starbucks copycat cheese Danish recipe is super simple and makes melt-in-the-mouth pastries that no one can resist. This easy-to-make breakfast pastry (store-bought puff pastry sheets) is the perfect way to start the day and way cheaper than buying them from Starbucks! Serve them warm from the oven with a steaming cup of coffee. The soft, sweet cream cheese filling is delicious, nestled into buttery pastry – total comfort food.

Two Starbucks copycat cheese Danish pastries with a creamy filling rest on a leaf-patterned paper. A white napkin is seen nearby, with a stack of plates in the background.

Make your very own Starbucks copycat cheese Danish and enjoy the ultimate tasty pastry and cream cheese-filled sweet treat.

Also try cream cheese berry Danishes, a cheesecake tart with berries, Starbucks pink drink, or this recipe for pecan sugar cookies.

A white plate holds two Starbucks copycat cheese Danishes, resting on a green and brown napkin. A white cloth and two green straws are visible nearby.

Why You’ll Love It

Budget-friendly: Save money by making this copycat recipe from home with a handful of accessible ingredients.
Just like Starbucks: Sink your teeth into this amazing homemade version of the Starbucks cheese Danish.
Double up the recipe: You can easily double this Starbucks cream cheese Danish recipe and freeze the rest for a busy morning.

A close-up of a Starbucks cheese Danish with a golden-brown crust and a dollop of white filling in the center, placed on a parchment-lined baking tray.

Ingredients for a Copycat Starbucks Cheese Danish

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Puff pastry: This ready-made frozen puff pastry gives you the flaky, buttery layers that make this Danish cheese irresistible. Puff pastry can be found in the freezer section at most grocery stores.
Cream cheese: Use room temperature for smooth mixing and an even, creamy texture.
Powdered sugar:  This adds just the right amount of sweetness. Its fine texture helps it blend seamlessly with the cream cheese.
Vanilla extract: Don’t skip it – it gives that “desserty” taste.
Egg:  The egg is used for an egg wash, which gives the puff pastry a beautiful golden-brown finish. It also helps to seal the edges of the pastry, keeping the filling intact while baking.

A baking tray with raw rectangular dough pieces, a small bowl of white powder, an egg, a small bottle of vanilla extract, and a block of cream cheese sits on a marble countertop—perfect for making a Starbucks cheese Danish recipe.

How to Make a Starbucks Cheese Danish

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Prepare the cream cheese filling: In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, blend cream cheese and powdered sugar for 2 or 3 minutes. Add vanilla and mix until fully combined.
Fill the pastry: Transfer the cream mixture to a pastry bag or a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped. Pipe the filling down the center of each pastry.
Apply the egg wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Brush the edges of each pastry with the egg wash via a pastry brush.
Bake and serve: Bake and cool slightly before serving.

A Starbucks cheese Danish recipe with a cream-filled center is partially pulled out of a paper bag, while more pastries rest invitingly on a tray and plates in the background.

Substitutions and Variations

Cream cheese swaps: Substitute cream cheese with mascarpone for a richer filling, or use dairy-free cream cheese for a vegan option.
Sweetener options: Replace powdered sugar with honey, maple syrup, or a sugar substitute like stevia.
Added flavor: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest or almond extract to the cream mixture.
Pastry swap: Use puff pastry, croissant dough or even crescent rolls as an alternative to traditional pastry.
Egg wash alternative: For a vegan option, brush the pastry edges with almond milk and maple syrup instead of the egg wash.
Add toppings: Sprinkle the pastries with sliced almonds, crushed pistachios, or a dusting of cinnamon sugar before baking.
Fruity filling: Add a spoonful of your favorite fruit preserves or fresh berries on top of the cream cheese filling.

A plated Starbucks copycat cheese Danish with a flaky golden-brown crust and creamy cheese filling, positioned on top of a stack of plates with more pastries on a cooling rack in the background.

Serving Suggestions

Appetizer: Serve your cheese danish from Starbucks with fresh fruit salad, chocolate spaghetti, or mango mousse.
Main: Sheet pan eggs make the perfect main as do these sausage burritos or my Italian frittata.
Dessert: End with a Starbucks cheese Danish recipe and a steaming hot coffee or tea.

Two rectangular Starbuck's danishes with creamy filling on a white plate, with more pastries on a metal cooling rack in the background.

How to Store Starbucks Cream Cheese Danishes

Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They can be served at room temperature, warmed, or cold.
Freezer: These Danishes can be frozen baked or unbaked for about 2 months.
Thaw: Leave them to thaw overnight in the fridge or at a moderate room temperature for a few hours.
Reheat: For best results, reheat the Danishes in a 350°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes to restore their flaky texture.

Four Starbucks Danish pastries with a cream filling, rest on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, next to a blue cloth.

Top Tips

Chill the pastry: Keep the dough refrigerated until just before use to ensure it remains flaky and doesn’t become too soft to handle.
Avoid overfilling: Avoid overfilling the pastries with the cream mixture to prevent leakage during baking.
Seal edges properly: Press the edges firmly after applying the egg wash to ensure the pastries stay sealed and maintain their shape.
Monitor baking time: Ovens can vary; start checking the pastries at the 10-minute mark to avoid over-browning.
Cool on a wire rack: After baking, transfer the pastries to a wire rack to cool slightly, which helps maintain their crispness.
Serve fresh: These pastries are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven. If storing, reheat them briefly to regain their flaky texture.

A plate with two Starbucks cheese danish pastries topped with a dollop of cream on a marble surface, next to a white towel.

Starbucks Danish Recipe FAQs

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

No worries! You can mix the cream cheese filling by hand using a whisk or with a hand mixer. Just ensure the cream cheese is softened for easy mixing.

Can I add fruit to the filling?

Yes! You can add a dollop of fruit preserves or fresh fruit on top of the cream cheese before baking for a fruity twist.

How do I prevent the filling from leaking out?

Make sure not to overfill the pastries and press the edges firmly after applying the egg wash. This helps to seal them tightly.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes! Use dairy-free cream cheese and a vegan puff pastry, and substitute the egg wash with almond milk mixed with a bit of maple syrup.

Two rectangular Starbucks cream cheese danish pastries with white icing on a plate, next to a green straw and a brown paper bag with a green logo, on a white surface.

Starbucks Cheese Danish Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Starbucks Copycat Cheese Danish

Make your very own Starbucks copycat cheese Danish and enjoy the ultimate tasty pastry and cream cheese-filled sweet treat.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients 

  • 1 Sheet puff pastry, thawed
  • 4 Ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • ¼ Cup powdered sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 1 Tablespoon water

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the thawed pastry into 6 equal rectangles, and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese and powdered sugar. Cream together for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the vanilla and mix until fully combined.
  • Place the cream mixture into a pastry bag or Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe filling down the center of each pastry.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the egg and water until combined. Brush the edges of each pastry with the egg wash.
  • Bake in a preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Chill the pastry: Keep the dough refrigerated until just before use to ensure it remains flaky and doesn’t become too soft to handle.
Avoid overfilling: Avoid overfilling the pastries with the cream mixture to prevent leakage during baking.
Seal edges properly: Press the edges firmly after applying the egg wash to ensure the pastries stay sealed and maintain their shape.
Monitor baking time: Ovens can vary; start checking the pastries at the 10-minute mark to avoid over-browning.
Cool on a wire rack: After baking, transfer the pastries to a wire rack to cool slightly, which helps maintain their crispness.
Serve fresh: These pastries are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven. If storing, reheat them briefly to regain their flaky texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 172mg | Potassium: 61mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 294IU | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

This easy-to-make Starbucks-inspired cheese Danish delivers melt-in-your-mouth pastries that are perfect for kicking off your day and way more budget-friendly than grabbing them at Starbucks! Enjoy them fresh from the oven with a hot cup of coffee. The soft, sweet cream cheese filling tucked into a buttery pastry epitomizes comfort food.

Other Sweet Breakfast Recipes To Try

Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

 

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5 from 2 votes

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