Sugar Free Mini Danishes

Try this Sugar Free Mini Danishes recipe, or contribute your own.

Sugar Free Mini Danishes
Sugar Free Mini Danishes

Try this Sugar Free Mini Danishes recipe, or contribute your own.

  • Preparing Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Served Person: 18

Step-by-step

  • Preheat oven to 325 and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, prepare dough ingredients. Combine THM Baking blend, cream cheese, butter, shortening, baking powder and salt. Use a fork or pastry blender to cut the cold butter, cream cheese and shortening into the flours to create a thick dough.
  • Add in vanilla, sweetener and egg and mix with a large spoon until a light dough forms.
  • Use a cookie scoop or two teaspoons to make golf ball sized balls of dough 2 inches apart on lined baking sheet.
  • Flatten each pastry with the back of a spoon.
  • Using your fingers, gently create shallow wells in each pastry, bringing up a small lip along the outside of each pastry. (Each pastry should be about 2 ½ inches in diameter)
  • This dough is very tender, so you have to use a light touch to do this or it will crack and break.
  • Place pastries, unfilled, in the oven on the middle rack and pre-bake approximately 3-5 minutes.
  • Place softened cream cheese, egg yolk, vanilla, salt, and sweetener into a small bowl and beat either until smooth. The mixture will be thin.
  • Remove pastries from oven. Allow to cool for a few moments and use your finger once again to very lightly press the wells down a bit if they've risen. You want to make sure you have well defined wells for the filling.
  • Fill each pastry with about one teaspoon of cheese filling. It should be full, but not overflowing.
  • If desired, place a dollop of sugar free fruit preserves in the middle of the filling.
  • Bake at 325 for about 20 minutes or until the centers are firm but not cracked and the crust is golden brown.
  • In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, sweetener, vanilla and heavy cream and mix until smooth.
  • Pour the glaze into a baggie and cut a small hole in the tip, drizzle glaze over each pastry.

Sugar-Free Mini Danishes: A Delightful Treat

As a busy professional, finding time to bake can feel like a luxury, but sometimes, a sweet treat is just what you need to recharge. These sugar-free mini danishes are my go-to when I crave something delicious without the guilt. They're surprisingly easy to make, even on a hectic weeknight, and the result is a batch of miniature pastries that are both elegant and satisfying.

The best part? The recipe is easily adaptable. Feel free to experiment with different sugar-free sweeteners—I often use a blend to achieve the perfect balance of sweetness. You can also get creative with the filling. While I love the classic cream cheese filling, you can try a variety of sugar-free fruit preserves or even a light chocolate ganache. The possibilities are endless!

The Dough: A Foundation of Flavor

The base of these mini danishes is a delicate, tender dough, achieved by carefully combining the dry ingredients with cold butter and cream cheese. The cold fats create a flaky texture, which is essential for a truly delightful pastry. Don't rush this step – taking your time to incorporate the fats into the flour ensures a perfect result. The addition of a pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor profile, ensuring the sweetness isn't overpowering. The subtle saltiness perfectly complements the cream cheese filling.

The Filling: A Creamy Dream

The cream cheese filling is the heart of this recipe. It's incredibly simple to make, requiring just a few basic ingredients. The balance of cream cheese, sweetener, vanilla extract, and a touch of heavy cream creates a rich and decadent filling that melts in your mouth. If you're feeling adventurous, adding a dash of lemon zest can provide a zesty contrast to the richness of the cream cheese. Remember to let the filling cool slightly before adding it to the pastries to prevent the dough from becoming soggy.

The Glaze: A Sweet Finish

A simple glaze is the perfect finishing touch. It adds a touch of elegance while complementing the creamy filling. The glaze is quick and easy to make, requiring only cream cheese, sweetener, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. To make the glazing process even easier, I transfer the mixture into a piping bag—this allows for precise and consistent drizzling.

Beyond the Recipe: A Personal Touch

These sugar-free mini danishes are more than just a recipe; they’re a symbol of self-care. Baking allows me to escape the pressures of work and reconnect with my creativity. The act of carefully measuring ingredients, mixing the dough, and assembling the pastries is meditative. It’s a chance to slow down, focus on the task at hand, and appreciate the small things in life. And, of course, the delicious results are a fantastic reward for the effort.

These little pastries have become a staple in my life, a reminder that even on the busiest days, it’s possible to create something delicious and satisfying. They're perfect for a quiet afternoon treat, a celebratory gathering, or a thoughtful gift for a friend. So go ahead, indulge in a little self-care and try your hand at these delectable sugar-free mini danishes.

Tips for Success:

  • Use high-quality ingredients. The flavor of your pastries will be directly impacted by the quality of your ingredients.
  • Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing can result in a tough pastry.
  • Let the pastries cool completely before glazing. This will prevent the glaze from melting.
  • Get creative with the fillings and toppings. Experiment with different sugar-free fruit preserves or add a sprinkle of chopped nuts for added texture.

Enjoy!