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Vegan Danish Recipe With Easy Cashew Cream Cheese

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Vegan Danish Recipe With Cashew Cheese | This sweet treat is the answer to your vegan pastry dreams. A sweet cashew cream cheese with flaky puff pastry, baked until golden brown, and drizzled with a simple powdered sugar glaze. Enjoy for breakfast with your favourite latte, or for dessert.

Drizzling icing onto vegan danish broken in half.

There is no better coffee shop treat than the danish pastry. The concept is so simple and flawless, yet delicious and perfect. How can you go wrong with flakey puff pastry and a flavourful filling? Danishes come in all shapes, sizes, and flavours. Fillings vary from fruit jam, and cheeses, to creams, and curds.

I think that the best danish balances tartness and sweetness, like the sweet cream cheese danish. For this vegan danish pastry recipe I make a homemade sweet vegan cream cheese using cashews, icing sugar, maple syrup, and some lemon juice for tartness. 

The luscious, dairy-free cream cheese filling strikes the perfect balance between creamy and sweet. It not only provides that classic danish pastry richness but also elevates the pastry’s overall nutritional value. Cashews bring a natural creaminess and nuttiness to the filling, making it a perfect counterpart to the flakey pastry. It’s the element that truly sets these vegan danish pastries apart and keeps you coming back for more.

The best thing about this vegan recipe is that it’s so easy to whip up as a quick dessert. What makes it so easy is the use of store-bought puff pastry, saving you from making your own with tons of vegan butter. The vegan cream cheese filling takes about an hour total, as you need to soak the cashews, but that isn’t a hands-on process. You can thaw the pastry while the cashews soak. See how this is the perfect treat?

Stacked vegan danishes on wooden board.

Store-bought vegan puff pastry

Puff pastry is that flakey, buttery foundation that makes Danish pastries so irresistible. The use of store-bought vegan pastry dough offers a nice shortcut. Puff pastry dough is also among the most complex dough recipes, so sometimes opting for the store-bought version is the ideal choice.

Puff pastry is one of those foods that happen to be accidentally vegan. Almost all grocery store puff pastry is made with vegetable oils instead of butter, probably for price-saving reasons but hey, we’re not complaining. Make sure you double-check the ingredients list before buying though. My local grocery store sells Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry, which is 100% vegan. 

What kind of cashews should I use for cashew cheese?

A lot of cashew cheese recipes call for raw cashews, but for this sweet vegan cream cheese recipe, I use roasted cashews which work just as well, if not better. Roasted cashews give the filling a nuttier flavour, and a darker colour. Raw cashews have less natural flavour, but they do blend smoother and are lighter in colour.

Use whatever kind of cashews you have. We all know that cashews can be pricey, that’s why this recipe only takes 1 1/2 cups of cashews, roasted or raw.

How do you make sweet cashew cheese?

What makes these danishes so good is my easy recipe for homemade cashew cream cheese. The cashews are the creamy backbone, imparting richness, nuttiness, and a luscious texture.

The first step in making cashew cream cheese is soaking the cashews to get a smooth creamy consistency. I soak my cashews by boiling water in a pot, enough to cover the cashews, then removing it from the heat and adding the cashews. Cover the pot with a lid and let the cashews soak for 1 hour. If you use raw cashews instead of roasted, they will become softer quicker, and you can likely get away with a 30-45-minute soak.

After soaking, the cashews should be soft, and pliable and should easily break apart.

Drain the soaked cashews and add them to the blender. Add the lemon juice and sweeteners, and blend until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.

Ingredients

Creating these delectable vegan Danish pastries is a breeze when you have the right ingredients at hand. The exact measurements are below.

Ingredients for vegan danishes.
  • Cashews-  I used roasted cashews for this recipe, but you can use any kind. Roasted cashews have a nuttier flavour and darker colour, whereas raw cashews are bland, creamier, and lighter in colour. Roasted cashews take a slightly longer time to soak.
  • Vegan puff pastry – Most store-bought puff pastry is naturally vegan, made with oil instead of butter. You can also find a recipe online for homemade vegan puff pastry. If your pastry is frozen, make sure you allow it to thaw for 1 hour before use.
  • Powdered sugar- Powdered sugar is much smoother than white sugar, keeping the texture of the cashew cheese creamy and thick. White sugar would be too grainy.
  • Maple syrup and vanilla- These sweeteners create the perfect flavour for the sweet cashew cheese. Maple syrup provides a slightly caramelly flavour while vanilla adds its familiar sweetness. I add a 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste for more flavour too.
  • Lemon juice- The tanginess of the lemon and the flavours of the various sweeteners create the perfect balance of tart and sweet.
  • Salt- Salt is essential in any baking, it helps bring flavours together and enhance their taste.

Instructions

  • Make sure to thaw your puff pastry for one hour at room temperature before using. If you find it gets too soft to handle, pop it back in the fridge for 5-10 minutes.

Bake for 15-17 minutes or until golden brown on top. Keep a close eye on the danishes, making sure the top and bottom don’t burn. If the bottom is burning, move the baking sheets up one rack. If the top is burning and the bottom isn’t cooked, move it to a lower rack or cover it with aluminium foil.

Enjoy the pastries with a simple powdered sugar and plant milk icing, just mix 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar with a small splash of plant milk and stir. Drizzle on top of the pastry and dig in!

Soaking the cashews in hot water.

Heat about 2 cups of water in a pot on high heat. Once boiling, turn off the heat and add the cashews. Cover with a lid and let sit for about an hour. If you’re using raw cashews, they will become softer quicker, and you can likely get away with a 30-45 minute soak.

Draining soaked cashews.

Once the cashews are soft and pliable, drain them and set aside.

Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Now you can preheat the oven to 400°F.

Adding ingredients for cashew cheese into blender.

Add the drained cashews, powdered sugar, vanilla, maple syrup, lemon juice, and salt to a blender.

Blending ingredients for cashew cheese filling.

Blend for 2-3 minutes until smooth and creamy.

Cutting puff pastry.

Unfold your two sheets of thawed puff pastry onto your prepared baking sheets. Use that as your work surface. Using a pizza cutter or a knife, cut one pastry sheet in half the long way, then cut each half into 3 equal pieces. You should have 6 equal-sized rectangles. Repeat with the other sheet.

Indenting puff pastry.

Using a butter knife, trace an inner rectangle on each piece of puff pastry, pressing just hard enough to indent the dough but not pierce it. Leave about a half-inch gap from the edge of the pastry.

Adding the cashew filling to the pastry rectangles.

Add about a tablespoon and a half of the filling to each piece of pastry dough. Using a spoon, smooth out the cashew cheese filling, making sure to fill the inner rectangle that you traced.

Brushing the pastry with plant milk.

In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of almond milk with a splash of maple syrup, and brush it onto the sides of the dough with a pastry brush.

Bake for 15-17 minutes or until golden brown on top. Keep a close eye on the danishes, making sure the top and bottom don’t burn. If the bottom is burning, move the baking sheets up one rack. If the top is burning and the bottom isn’t cooked, move it to a lower rack or cover it with aluminium foil.

Enjoy the pastries with a simple powdered sugar and plant milk icing, just mix 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar with a small splash of plant milk and stir. Drizzle on top of the pastry and dig in!

Stacked vegan danishes with icing.

Tips for making vegan sweet cashew cheese danishes

  • Use roasted cashews:  Roasted cashews give the cashew cheese filling a nuttier flavour and darker colour. The filling might look more like spiced cream cheese than regular white cream cheese, but it is all about flavour.
  • Thaw with care: For best results, let puff pastry thaw naturally, either at room temperature or if you have the time, in the fridge. Using heat can affect the texture of the pastry.
  • Embrace variety: Don’t hesitate to personalize your danishes by exploring different options. Add real fruit like fresh strawberries, some fruit jam such as raspberry jam, or some chocolate chips before baking.
  • Egg-wash substitute: To get your pastry crust nice and golden brown, brush it with plant milk. I add in some maple syrup for a touch of sweetness. Or use an egg replacement like JUST egg. 
  • Is your puff pastry too soft?: If you find that the pastry is too soft to work with, pop it back in the fridge for 5-10 minutes to firm up.

What to serve with vegan sweet cashew cheese danishes

  • Start the day off right: Enjoy a pastry or two with your morning cup of coffee! The slight bitterness of the coffee balances the sweetness of the pastry perfectly.
  • The perfect brunch: Feature these vegan danishes at your next brunch along with my vegan spanakopita swirls with a sweet and savoury duo.
  • Afternoon tea: Enjoy these sweet nutty pastries with a cup of tea, such as Earl Grey or matcha.
  • After dinner dessert: There is no better time to eat a warm pastry than after supper when you’re settling down for the night.
  • Extra toppings: Top the danishes with some fresh strawberries and a sprinkling of extra sugar.

Substitutions

  • This recipe is vegan
  • Make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free puff pastry. There are store-bought alternatives available, making this switch super easy!
  • Get creative with toppings such as chocolate chips, jams or your favourite fresh fruits. Add on top of the cashew filling before baking.
  • Glazes: Instead of a simple powdered sugar and plant milk glaze, try adding a splash of lemon juice for some tartness, or use maple syrup for a caramelly twist.

Storage

Since these vegan danishes are plant-based, they’re safe to store at room temperature. Store in an airtight container, or wrap in plastic wrap. Keep for 2-3 days at room temperature, if you have leftovers (which is not a guarantee).

Reheat the pastries in the oven at 325°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispness.

For freezer storage, keep the pastries in a freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

Vegan danishes on a wooden board with icing and a spoon.

FAQ’s

Is puff pastry vegan?

Most store-bought puff pastry is made with vegetable oils, not butter, making them vegan.

How long should you soak cashews for?

You should soak your cashews for 45-60 minutes until they are soft and pliable.

Drizzling icing on a vegan danish.

Vegan Danish Recipe With Sweet Cashew Cheese

5 from 1 vote
Author: Erika Piper
This sweet delicate fluffy pastry is the answer to your vegan pastry dreams. A sweet creamy cashew cheese baked into flaky puff pastry, baked until golden brown, and drizzled with a simple powdered sugar glaze. Enjoy for breakfast with your favourite latte, or for dessert.
Prep Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings 12 pastries

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups cashews roasted or raw
  • 2 sheets puff pastry about 200g each, thawed
  • 6 tablespoons powdered sugar divided
  • 1 tablespoon + 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup divided
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 tablespoons plant milk + a splash for the glaze

Instructions
 

  • Bring about 2 cups of water to a boil in a small pot. Once boiling, add the cashews and turn off the heat. Cover with a lid and set aside for about 1 hour, until the cashews are soft and pliable.
  • Drain the cashews and set aside. Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  • Add the cashews, 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt to a blender. Blend for 2-3 minutes until smooth and creamy. If too thick, add a splash of plant milk.
  • Place the puff pastry sheets onto your prepped baking sheets. Cut each sheet in half the long way, then cut each half into 3 rectangular pieces.
  • Using a butter knife, trace an inner rectangle onto each pastry piece, leaving about a 1/2 inch border. Press just hard enough to make an indent, without slicing through the pastry.
  • Add about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the filling to each piece of pastry. Using the back of a spoon, spread the cashew filling to the edges of your traced inner rectangle.
  • Mix the plant milk with 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup. Using a pastry brush, brush the borders of the pastries.
  • Bake for 15-17 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  • Whisk together 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar with a splash of plant milk, and drizzle over the pastries.

Video

Notes

Roasted cashews give the cashew cheese filling a nuttier flavour and darker colour but you can also use raw cashews which result in a lighter colour and creamier texture.
For best results, let puff pastry thaw naturally, either at room temperature or if you have the time, in the fridge. Using heat can affect the texture of the pastry.
Don’t hesitate to personalize your danishes by exploring different options. Add real fruit like fresh strawberries, some fruit jam such as raspberry jam, or some chocolate chips before baking.
To get your pastry crust nice and golden brown, brush it with plant milk. I add in some maple syrup for a touch of sweetness.
If you find that the pastry is too soft to work with, pop it back in the fridge for 5-10 minutes to firm up.
Make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free puff pastry, which is available in many grocery stores.
Since these vegan danishes are plant-based, they’re safe to store at room temperature. Store in an airtight container, or wrap in plastic wrap. Keep for 2-3 days at room temperature, if you have leftovers (which is not a guarantee).
Reheat the pastries in the oven at 325°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispness.
For freezer storage, keep the pastries in a freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 286kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 6gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 4g
Tried this recipe?Mention @theveggieyaya or tag #theveggieyaya!

Disclosure: This blog post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

Vegan danish pin with icing drizzle.

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Vegan danish pin with icing drizzle.

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Erika Piper

Hey there, I’m Erika. I’ve been meat-free for over a decade.
I’m here to provide delicious and affordable plant-based recipes for anyone interested.
Whether you’re a seasoned plant-based eater or just curious about trying it out, I’m here to support you with my easy and accessible recipes.

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