Recipe :: Fruit & Cheese Danish

I really should make this more often than I do, because it is one of our favorite treats! A soft, sweet dough, a cream cheese filling, and the option to use whatever fruit you have on hand make this a simple, filling, go to treat for breakfast, coffee time, dessert or snack.

Fruit & Cheese Danish

The Dough:
2 cups milk
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
6 3/4 tsp yeast
2 eggs
8-9 cups all purpose flour

Lightly scald the milk and butter together. Let cool to about 115°. In a mixer, combine sugar, salt, yeast and 2 cups flour. Slowly mix in the milk & butter. Add the 2 eggs and another 2 cups of flour. Mix until well combined. Add enough flour to make a soft dough. Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.

The Cheese Filling:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup sugar
Beat together until well combined. Set aside.

The Fruit Filling:
4 cups fruit - canned, fresh or frozen
1-2 Tbs water or juice
1-2 Tbs sugar
1-2 Tbs flour
Combine all in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring until thickened. Set aside.

Assembly:

Once the dough is ready, split into 4 equal pieces. Roll out each piece to a rectangle about 18x12 inches. Mark the dough in thirds down the length. In the middle third, spread a 1/4 of the cream cheese filling, then 1/4 of the fruit filling. On the outer 1/3 edges, slice the dough into 1/2-3/4” “fingers”. Fold the fingers over the middle filling, alternating as you go along (left/right (or top/bottom), then right/left (bottom/top)).

Place the braids onto parchment lined baking sheets and let rise 1 hour.

Brush the braids with an egg wash mixture of 1 egg yolk and 1 Tbs water.

Bake at 350° for about 25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and the dough is cooked through.

Once cooled, drizzle with a powdered sugar glaze - about 1/2 cup powdered sugar with a dash of vanilla and just enough water or milk to make a glaze.