Starbucks Cheese Danish: What's The Secret Cheese?

what kind of cheese is in starbucks cheese danish

Starbucks cheese danishes are made with a soft cheese that can be substituted with cream cheese. The cheese used in the Starbucks cheese danish formula is Neufchâtel, a soft cheese that can be used interchangeably with cream cheese but is lower in fat. It is blended with sugar and egg to make the filling.

Characteristics Values
Type of Cheese Neufchâtel, Cream Cheese
Type of Pastry Puff Pastry
Additional Ingredients Eggs, Granulated Sugar, Lemon Juice, Vanilla Extract, Table Salt

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Starbucks cheese danishes are made with puff pastry

Puff pastry is readily available in most grocery stores, usually sold in packs of two sheets in the frozen section. The frozen puff pastry needs to be thawed before use, preferably overnight in the refrigerator. However, if you're short on time, you can leave it out at room temperature for about 20 minutes to thaw.

The puff pastry sheets are then cut into rectangles, and the cheese filling is piped onto the center of each rectangle. The edges of the pastry are brushed with an egg wash, which gives them a golden brown color when baked.

Using store-bought puff pastry simplifies the process of making cheese danishes and ensures a delicious, flaky pastry that pairs perfectly with the sweet cheese filling.

Some people choose to make their own puff pastry, which can be a fun baking project. However, using store-bought puff pastry is a convenient option that still yields great results.

The puff pastry, when combined with the creamy cheese filling, creates a delightful treat that can be enjoyed as a breakfast pastry or a late-night snack.

The ease of using puff pastry, along with its ability to create a flaky and buttery texture, makes it an excellent choice for recreating the Starbucks cheese danish at home.

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The cheese used is Neufchâtel, similar to cream cheese

Starbucks' Cheese Danish is made with Neufchâtel cheese, which is similar to cream cheese but with a lower fat content. Neufchâtel is a soft cheese that can be used interchangeably with cream cheese. It is blended with sugar and egg to make the filling for the Danish.

The cheese Danish is a popular choice for customers looking for a light and flaky breakfast pastry to pair with their coffee or tea. It has a fairly plain flavour, but this can be enhanced by adding ingredients such as orange or lemon zest, cinnamon, or mini chocolate chips to the cream cheese mixture.

Making your own cheese Danish at home allows you to customise the flavour and know exactly what goes into it. It is also a cost-effective alternative to buying the pastry from Starbucks, as the ingredients are inexpensive and can be used to make multiple servings.

The Starbucks cheese Danish is made with puff pastry, which can be store-bought or homemade. The cheese filling is prepared by mixing Neufchâtel cheese, sugar, and egg, and other optional ingredients such as lemon juice or vanilla extract. The puff pastry is cut into rectangles, filled with the cheese mixture, and then baked until golden brown.

Overall, the Starbucks cheese Danish is a popular choice for customers looking for a light and flaky breakfast pastry, and making it at home allows for customisation and cost savings.

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The cheese is blended with sugar and egg

The cheese in a Starbucks Danish is a blend of sugar and egg. The sugar adds sweetness to the tangy cream cheese, and the egg binds the mixture together, creating a smooth, velvety texture. This sweet cheese filling is then piped into the centre of the pastry dough, creating a delightful contrast of flavours and textures.

The cream cheese used in the Starbucks cheese Danish is typically Neufchâtel, a soft cheese similar to cream cheese but with a lower fat content. This cheese is blended with sugar and egg to make the filling, resulting in a sweet and creamy texture that pairs perfectly with the flaky pastry. The exact measurements for the filling can be adjusted to personal preference, but typically it calls for less than 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 egg yolk.

The process of making the cheese filling is straightforward. The cream cheese and egg yolk are mixed until combined, and then the sugar, along with other optional ingredients like lemon juice or vanilla extract, are added and mixed until smooth. This filling is then piped onto the pastry dough, creating a decadent treat.

The combination of cream cheese, sugar, and egg in the Starbucks cheese Danish creates a delicious harmony of flavours and textures that has made it a beloved treat for many. The sweetness of the sugar complements the tanginess of the cream cheese, while the egg helps to bind the ingredients together, resulting in a smooth and indulgent filling.

The cheese Danish is a popular choice for those looking for a light and flaky breakfast pastry or a sweet late-night snack. The contrast between the buttery, flaky layers of laminated dough and the creamy, sweet cheese filling makes it a perfect pairing with hot coffee or tea.

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The pastry is baked until the edges are golden brown

To check if the pastry is done, one can also lift the bottom of the pastry with a spatula to ensure that the underside is an even golden brown. If the centre is still lighter in colour, the dough will be soggy in the middle once cooled, instead of crisp and flaky. Therefore, it is important to allow the pastry to bake until the edges are golden brown to achieve the desired texture.

Additionally, the oven temperature and baking time may vary slightly depending on the recipe and the desired level of doneness. Some recipes suggest baking at 400°F for 25 minutes, while others recommend 425°F for 12-15 minutes. It is also important to note that the pastry should be placed on a preheated baking sheet and spaced apart to ensure even cooking.

By following these instructions and baking the pastry until the edges are golden brown, one can achieve a crispy and flaky texture that complements the sweet and creamy cheese filling.

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You can add chocolate chips to the cheese filling

Starbucks' Cheese Danish is a popular breakfast pastry that can be easily made at home. The cheese danish typically consists of puff pastry dough, cream cheese or Neufchâtel cheese, eggs, granulated sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt. While the original Starbucks recipe does not include chocolate chips, you can easily add them to the cheese filling for a delicious twist. Here's how you can make it:

Ingredients:

  • Puff Pastry Dough
  • Cream Cheese or Neufchâtel Cheese
  • Eggs
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Lemon Juice (optional)
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Salt
  • Chocolate Chips

Instructions:

  • Prepare the cheese filling by mixing the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla together in a medium bowl until smooth. You can use a whisk, a hand mixer, or a stand mixer for this step. If you want a more pronounced cheese flavor, you can use Neufchâtel cheese, which is similar to cream cheese but has a lower fat content.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 400°F.
  • Cut the puff pastry sheet into 8 rectangles using a knife or a pizza cutter. You can also get creative and cut them into squares or any other shape you prefer.
  • Prepare the egg wash by whisking an egg with a small amount of water. This will be used to brush the edges of the puff pastry to give them a golden brown color.
  • Pipe or spread the cheese mixture onto the center of each puff pastry rectangle, leaving about half an inch of space on each side. You can add the chocolate chips directly into the cheese mixture or sprinkle them on top.
  • Brush the edges of the puff pastry with the egg wash.
  • Bake the cheese danishes in the preheated oven for 15-25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown. The cream cheese mixture might start to brown as well, which is okay.
  • Let the danishes cool slightly before serving. They are best served warm.

Tips and Variations:

  • You can add a variety of ingredients to the cheese filling to customize your danish. Besides chocolate chips, you could also try blending in orange or lemon zest, cinnamon, or nutmeg.
  • If you prefer a savory option, you can top the cheese filling with tomatoes and sauteed onions before baking.
  • For a fancier finish, serve the danishes with your favorite fruits or a drizzle of honey.
  • To store leftovers, place the danishes in an airtight container and refrigerate. They will lose their crispness during storage, so reheat them in the oven or toaster oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes to crisp them up again.
  • You can also freeze the danishes for longer storage. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. They will keep for about 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as needed.

Frequently asked questions

Starbucks uses Neufchâtel cheese in its cheese danishes. This is a soft cheese that can be used interchangeably with cream cheese but is lower in fat.

The cheese danish also contains puff pastry, egg, sugar, lemon, and vanilla.

A Starbucks cheese danish contains between 152 and 366 calories.

Depending on the location, a Starbucks cheese danish costs between $2.90 and $3.50.

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