These mini cheese pastries are the perfect bite-size treat that delivers all the delicious flavor of a classic cheese danish. Each mini pastry is filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture and is baked to flaky, golden perfection. The glaze drizzle adds a final layer of sweetness that ties everything together.
You just can’t beat pastries. Of course, by now, my recipes should reflect my love of any kind of pastry. I love all the sweet cheese and fruit, and that flaky puff pastry dough is just fantastic. The only thing I love more than pastries is little bite-sized versions. When you make pastries in bite-size form, they just seem so much more fun. I usually make mini versions for parties and potlucks and save the full-sized one for brunch or an afternoon snack. For example, my mini cheese pastries are a big hit at any party. Everyone always loves them, and I usually bring a double batch just to make sure everyone has enough.
Mini Cheese Pastries
These little cheese pastry bites are exactly like full size pastries. They start with a braided puff pastry pinwheel. Then, I top them with a sweet cream cheese filling and bake them until golden brown. After they cool, I drizzle a simple vanilla glaze over them and watch them disappear. That’s all there is to it. It’s a quick, easy, and delicious recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Mini Cheese Pastry Recipe
- These mini pastries offer the delicious taste of a classic cheese pastry in a bite-size serving, and they are ideal for portion control or satisfying a sweet tooth craving without going overboard.
- They are the perfect-sized treats to add to any dessert spread, and the small size allows for easy grabbing and mingling.
- They are easy to make and can be customized with different fillings or toppings, such as adding a variety of different fruit fillings with the cheese mixture.
Mini Cheese Pastry Ingredients
Simple ingredients create pastries with a simple, classic flavor. You’ll find everything you need in your kitchen or at your local grocery store.
- Puff Pastry: Braided puff pastry makes the classic buttery, flaky pastry base for these treats.
- Cream Cheese and Egg Yolk: Cream cheese, egg yolk, sugar, and vanilla create a rich, smooth cream cheese filling.
- Powdered Sugar and Milk: A little vanilla, along with these 2 ingredients, makes a classic glaze drizzle.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
How to Make Mini Cheese Pastries
Making these pastries is no more difficult than their full-sized counterparts. It’s quick and easy, and even beginners can make it easily. It takes next to no effort!
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the Pinwheels
Cut each pastry into 16 strips. Twist a strip until it forms a braid. Then, place one end of the strip on the parchment paper and wrap it around itself to create a pinwheel. Repeat until all the strips are used.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
Beat the cream cheese in a medium bowl until light and fluffy. Then, add the egg yolk, sugar, vanilla, and lemon just and beat for another 2 minutes. Add a heaping spoonful of the mixture to the center of each pinwheel.
Step 4: Bake
Whisk the egg and water in a small bowl, then brush it over the pastries. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes until golden brown. Remove the pastries from the oven and let them cool.
Step 5: Make the Drizzle
When the pastries have cooled, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle the glaze over the pastries and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Fully soften your cream cheese for a smooth filling free of any bits of raw cream cheese.
- Bring your egg yolk to room temperature for the easiest mixing and richest filling texture.
- To easily wrap the pinwheels, hold your finger on the end of the strip that makes the center as you wrap. This holds the pinwheel in place as you go.
Variations
- Add jam or pie filling on top of the cream cheese filling for a fruity version.
- Use lemon juice in place of milk for a lemon glaze.
- Sprinkle the pastries with sanding sugar for a pretty look.
- Try topping your pastries with chopped nuts before baking.
What to Serve with Mini Cream Cheese Pastries
Like all pastries, these are delicious with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee or tea. They’re the perfect sweet breakfast or afternoon snack with some fresh fruit and a little dark chocolate. You can also make them a sweet addition to a larger breakfast with all your savory favorites, as well.
Recipe FAQ
Mini cheese pastries are simply smaller versions of full-sized cream cheese pastries. They’re made with the same puff pastry base and sweet cream cheese filling.
Any baked good using cream cheese should be refrigerated. Cream cheese is a diary product and contains a lot of moisture. This combination makes it the perfect breeding ground for bacteria if it’s not refrigerated.
Yes, they do. The cream cheese filling requires them to be refrigerated for freshness and food safety.
Cheese pastries will last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator when stored properly.
Yes, you can! These pastries are freezer-friendly and will last for up to a month when stored properly.
How to Store Leftover Mini Pastries
Place these pastries in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to a month in an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Set the pastries out for about an hour before serving.
Try This Delicious Mini Cheese Pastry Recipe Today
These mini cheese pastries are just as buttery, flaky, and full of rich, sweet cream cheese filling as their full-sized counterparts. They’re also just as easy! Give these a try for your next party or as a sweet addition to breakfast. I guarantee you’ll fall in love with them at the first bite!
More Delicious Mini Desserts You’ll Enjoy
These Mini Coconut Cream Pies are so delicious and easy to make. Each mini pie features a flaky pie crust filled with a creamy, homemade coconut pie filling, a homemade whipped cream topping, and toasted coconut for the finishing touch.
Mini Cheese Pastries
Ingredients
- 1 box puff pastry sheets
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoon water
Glaze Drizzle
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Pastry
- Cut each pastry sheet into 16 strips.
- Twist each strip until it forms a braided piece.
- Place one end of the twisted strip down onto the parchment paper and wrap the dough around it, starting in the center and creating a pinwheel base.
Cream Cheese Filling
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add egg yolk, sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice. Beat for 2 more minutes.
- Add a heaping spoonful of cream cheese mixture to the center of each pastry.
Egg Wash
- In a small bowl, whisk egg and water together until combined.
- Brush each pastry with egg wash.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool.
Glaze Drizzle
- Once the pastries have cooled, mix powdered sugar, milk and vanilla together.
- Drizzle each pastry with glaze and enjoy.
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