Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Roll Out Pastry Dough: Unroll the thawed puff pastry dough onto a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to gently roll it out into a large rectangle, about 1/8 inch thick.
- Cut into Squares: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the rolled-out pastry dough into squares, approximately 4×4 inches in size.
- Fill and Fold: Spoon a dollop of the cream cheese filling into the center of each pastry square. Fold two opposite corners of the square over the filling, slightly overlapping them to create a danish shape.
- Bake: Place the filled danishes onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each one to allow for expansion. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown and puffed up.
- Cool: Remove the baked danishes from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth and thickened. Add more milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Drizzle with Icing: Once the danishes are completely cooled, drizzle the icing over the top of each one using a spoon or piping bag.
- Serve: Serve the cream cheese danishes immediately, or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy!
Notes:
- Feel free to customize your danishes by adding fruit preserves or fresh fruit on top of the cream cheese filling before folding the pastry squares.
- If you prefer a sweeter icing, you can add a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon to the icing mixture.
- These danishes are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes if desired.
- Experiment with different flavors of cream cheese, such as strawberry or chocolate, for a unique twist on this classic recipe.