Make the sweet dough…
0 Whisk a pinch of granulated sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons of active dry yeast into 1/2 cup of warm milk and set aside until foamy (about 5 minutes)
2 In a large bowl or a stand mixer, combine 2 cups of all purpose flour with 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, a large egg and 4 tablespoons of softened butter
3 Once the yeast has bloomed, add it and mix until a soft dough forms
4 Continue kneading and gradually add up to another 1/4 cup of flour
5 When the dough is smooth and soft, transfer it into a lightly greased bowl, cover and rest in a warm place for an hour
Make the streusel topping…
7 Combine 1/4 cup of almond flour with 1/3 cup of all purpose flour, 1/3 cup of granulated sugar and a few drops of almond extract in a shallow bowl
8 Add 4 tablespoons of cold cubed butter and use a stiff fork or pastry cutter to work the cold butter in until large crumbles form and the butter pieces are broken down small
9 Chill the streusel until you are ready to assemble the danish
Make the vanilla cream cheese filling…
11 In a large bowl, whisk 8 ounces of softened cream cheese with 1 egg yolk, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt until completely combined
12 Sift 2/3 cup of confectioners sugar into the bowl and whisk until smooth
14 Cover and set aside until the dough is ready
Assemble the danish…
15 Preheat your oven to 350°
16 Transfer the dough out onto a sheet of parchment paper and gently roll it into a long rectangle
17 Use the the back of a large spoon to form 2 long wells that run the length of the rectangle leaving the border puffy and a narrow divider between the wells
18 Transfer the shaped dough on the parchment paper onto a baking sheet
19 Fill the wells with your vanilla cream cheese filling and crumble the streusel over the everything
20 Bake the danish for 24-26 minutes or until lightly golden and puffed
Cool, glaze and enjoy…
22 Transfer the danish onto a heat proof surface to cool and set up for about 10 minutes
23 Whisk 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 2-3 tablespoons of milk into a sifted cup of confectioners sugar until a smooth glaze forms
24 Drizzle the glaze over the entire danish
25 Cut into thick slices and enjoy!
