There’s an undeniable charm to a freshly baked breakfast pastry. While my weekday mornings often feature a quick bowl of cereal and fruit, some days call for something more indulgent, something warm, sweet, and utterly comforting. On those special mornings, or when I’m expecting company, my thoughts often turn to fluffy cinnamon rolls, delicate muffins, or a beautifully crafted danish pastry. And among these delightful options, this particular Orange Cheese Danish stands out as an absolute favorite, effortlessly combining elegance with a surprisingly simple preparation.
This isn’t just any danish; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients can transform into something truly extraordinary. With its airy, flaky layers and a rich, creamy filling infused with bright orange zest and smooth ricotta cheese, it offers a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite. It’s the kind of breakfast that makes you slow down, savor the moment, and perhaps even forget the day’s upcoming tasks for a while. What makes it even better is how straightforward it is to whip up, especially if you’re baking for a crowd – a true blessing when entertaining family and friends.
The inspiration for this decadent and incredibly delicious Orange Cheese Danish originally hails from Sargento, a brand synonymous with quality dairy products. While I’ve followed their excellent base recipe, I’ve also incorporated my own insights and tips to ensure a foolproof and truly memorable baking experience, which I’m excited to share with you below. This pastry isn’t just a recipe; it’s an experience, transforming a regular morning into a celebratory one, perfect for making those cherished weekend memories.
Creating the luscious cheese filling for this danish is surprisingly quick and simple. It involves a harmonious blend of essential baking ingredients: a fresh egg for binding, a touch of granulated sugar for sweetness, softened butter for richness, and a spoonful of all-purpose flour for structure. The true stars, however, are the bright, aromatic vanilla extract and the creamy, delightful Sargento Part-Skim Ricotta Cheese. This particular ricotta is perfect for the filling, providing a smooth, light texture without being overly heavy, allowing the other flavors to shine through beautifully. A generous amount of freshly grated orange zest is also folded in, imparting a vibrant citrus note that elevates the entire pastry with a refreshing tang.
The entire process of preparing the filling was a breeze, taking mere minutes from start to finish. What truly enhanced my baking experience this time around was the unexpected discovery of high-quality, commercial-grade kitchen tools. Smart & Final, a store I often frequent for bulk groceries and supplies, provided me with some fantastic new equipment from their First Street line. I was genuinely impressed by the robustness and ergonomic design of their kitchen utensils. It just goes to show that you don’t always need to go to specialty stores to find professional-grade tools; sometimes, quality is closer than you think, right in your local market.
Among these new additions, the heavy, sturdy whisk quickly became my MVP. Its substantial weight and well-balanced design made light work of combining all the filling ingredients, ensuring a perfectly smooth and uniform mixture in record time. Gone were the days of tired wrists and uneven lumps; this whisk tackled the ricotta, egg, and sugar blend with effortless grace, producing a silky-smooth consistency ideal for the danish. It truly highlighted how the right tools can transform a cooking task from a chore into an absolute pleasure. Every home baker knows the difference a good whisk can make, and this one certainly delivered on its promise of efficiency and comfort.
Another pleasant surprise was the sharp, sturdy pastry scraper. Before this, I’d often improvised with knives or spatulas, but the dedicated pastry scraper proved invaluable. Its firm blade and comfortable grip made tasks like portioning dough and lifting delicate pastry much easier. It’s a tool I never knew I needed but now can’t imagine baking without. The precision it offered was remarkable, simplifying steps that once felt cumbersome.
… Especially when it came to precisely cutting the delicate puff pastry dough! This seemingly simple task is crucial for the danish’s signature braided look, and the pastry scraper allowed for clean, even cuts that contributed significantly to the pastry’s aesthetic appeal and even baking. The sharp edge helped create distinct strips that would later interlace beautifully over the filling. Achieving those neat lines made the assembly process not only easier but also much more satisfying, leading to a professional-looking finish.
Exciting stuff, indeed! Are you on the edge of your seat, envisioning yourself creating this masterpiece in your own kitchen? The simplicity of the steps, combined with the right tools and quality ingredients, truly makes this recipe approachable for bakers of all skill levels. It’s a journey from simple dough and filling to a show-stopping breakfast item, and the anticipation of that first bite is truly part of the fun. This danish proves that gourmet treats are well within reach for the home baker.
Beyond the whisk and scraper, I also discovered a mini sieve that has proven incredibly useful. I’d been needing one for ages, specifically for those smaller, more delicate kitchen jobs. This particular sieve is perfectly sized for sifting confectioners’ sugar, ensuring a smooth, lump-free consistency every time. I could easily rest it over a small bowl and gently sift the powdered sugar directly into a bit of fresh orange juice. This quick mixture then transforms into a silky-smooth, vibrant orange glaze, perfect for drizzling generously over the top of the baked danish. The fine mesh of the sieve ensures that only the purest, most ethereal sugar falls through, resulting in a glaze that melts beautifully into the warm pastry, adding a final touch of sweetness and citrus.
The moment of truth arrives after just 25 minutes in a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven. Watching the danish transform from flat sheets of dough and a creamy filling into a majestically puffed, gorgeously golden-brown pastry is incredibly satisfying. The kitchen fills with an intoxicating aroma of warm pastry, bright citrus, and sweet cheese – a truly irresistible fragrance that promises good things to come. Once out of the oven, the danish cools slightly on a wire rack, then receives its final elegant touches. A generous drizzle of that bright orange glaze cascades over the warm pastry, creating a visually appealing sheen, followed by a sprinkle of finely chopped walnuts or sliced almonds for added texture and a nutty counterpoint. Each bite is a little slice of heaven, a perfect symphony of flaky, creamy, sweet, and tangy, ensuring the day starts on the absolute right note!
This Orange Cheese Danish isn’t just a delicious treat; it’s a versatile recipe perfect for a myriad of occasions. Whether you’re hosting a leisurely brunch, preparing a special breakfast for holiday guests, or simply want to elevate a lazy weekend morning, this danish delivers every time. Its impressive appearance belies its ease of preparation, making you look like a seasoned pastry chef with minimal effort. I’m already envisioning making batch after batch when family and friends visit this summer, eager to share this delightful creation. I have no doubt that your loved ones will enjoy it just as much. It’s a recipe that inspires sharing and creates delightful memories around the breakfast table, quickly becoming a cherished tradition.
Orange Cheese Danish Pastry: The Perfect Sweet & Savory Treat
2 danish pastries; Serves 10 generously
Indulge in a truly delightful homemade Orange Cheese Danish Pastry. This easy-to-follow recipe combines flaky puff pastry with a sweet, tangy ricotta and orange zest filling, topped with a delicate orange glaze and crunchy walnuts. Perfect for a special breakfast, brunch, or an elegant dessert, this danish is surprisingly simple to make and is sure to impress family and friends. Experience the comforting aroma and exquisite taste of this bakery-quality pastry in your own kitchen!
Ingredients for the Ricotta Filling & Glaze
For the Creamy Ricotta Filling:
- 1 cup (8 oz.) Sargento® Part-Skim Ricotta Cheese – ensures a light and creamy texture, making the filling wonderfully smooth.
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar – provides just the right amount of sweetness to balance the tang of the cheese and orange.
- 1 large egg – helps bind the filling ingredients together and adds a rich, custard-like quality.
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened – contributes to the luxurious texture and depth of flavor in the filling.
- 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour – acts as a gentle thickener, preventing the filling from becoming too runny during baking.
- 2 tsp. freshly grated orange rind (zest of about 1 large orange) – provides a bright, aromatic citrus burst that defines the danish’s flavor profile.
- 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract – enhances all the sweet flavors and adds a comforting warmth to the filling.
For the Puff Pastry:
- 2 sheets (1 lb. total) frozen puff pastry dough, thawed according to package directions – the secret to flaky, airy layers without the fuss of making dough from scratch.
For the Orange Glaze & Garnish:
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar) – forms the base of our delicate, smooth glaze.
- 1 Tbsp. fresh orange juice – adds a lovely tang and thins the glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency.
- 2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts or sliced almonds, optional – for a delightful crunch, added texture, and an elegant finish to your danish.
Step-by-Step Baking Instructions
- Prepare the Ricotta Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Sargento Part-Skim Ricotta Cheese, granulated sugar, large egg, softened unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, freshly grated orange rind, and pure vanilla extract. Beat these ingredients thoroughly with a sturdy whisk or an electric mixer set to medium speed until the mixture is completely smooth and well blended. Ensure there are no lumps, and the filling is uniform in consistency. This creamy, citrus-infused mixture is the heart of your danish!
- Assemble the Danish Pastry Base: Carefully unfold one sheet of thawed puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface or a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently roll it out slightly with a rolling pin if needed to achieve a perfect 10×12-inch rectangle. Using a sharp knife or a dedicated pastry scraper, make a series of 2-inch-deep cuts along both long sides of the pastry, creating uniform strips at approximately 1-inch intervals. Ensure you leave the center 3 inches of the pastry uncut; this will be the central channel where your delicious filling resides.
- Fill and Braid the Danish: Evenly spread half of the prepared ricotta cheese mixture down the center 3-inch section of the pastry, ensuring you don’t overfill it. Begin to crisscross the cut pastry strips over the filling, alternating from one side to the other. Gently pull each strip diagonally across the filling, ensuring they meet and overlap slightly in the middle, creating a beautiful braided pattern. Tuck the ends under neatly. Repeat this entire process with the second sheet of puff pastry and the remaining filling on a separate baking sheet, or bake one at a time if your oven space is limited.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Carefully transfer the assembled danishes to the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the pastry is gloriously puffed, golden brown, and cooked through. The filling should also be set. Keep a close eye on them towards the end of the baking time to prevent over-browning. The aroma filling your kitchen will be irresistible!
- Cool and Prepare the Glaze: Once baked, remove the danishes from the oven and carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Allowing them to cool ensures the glaze sets beautifully and the pastry layers firm up. While the danishes are cooling, prepare the vibrant orange glaze. In a small bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar and fresh orange juice. If you have a mini sieve, you can sift the confectioners’ sugar directly into the bowl for an extra smooth, lump-free glaze. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
- Finish with Flair: Once the danishes are cool to the touch, generously drizzle the smooth orange glaze over the top of each pastry. The glaze will cascade beautifully, adding a touch of extra sweetness and a glossy finish. For an extra layer of flavor and delightful crunch, sprinkle the chopped walnuts or sliced almonds evenly over the glazed danishes (this step is optional, but highly recommended for its appealing texture contrast and nutty notes).
- Serve and Enjoy! Slice your magnificent Orange Cheese Danish Pastry into individual portions using a serrated knife for clean cuts. Serve immediately and enjoy! This pastry is best enjoyed fresh, perhaps with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of cold milk. Prepare to receive compliments from everyone who tastes this bakery-quality treat!
Did you make this delightful Orange Cheese Danish?
We’d love to see your creations! Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment on the blog post below, or better yet, share a photo of your beautiful danish on Pinterest. Don’t forget to tag us or use the hashtag #OrangeCheeseDanish!