What is a traditional Danish raspberry dessert?

A traditional Danish raspberry dessert typically includes flaky pastry, sweet cream cheese filling, and a raspberry jam or compote. One of the most popular forms is the raspberry cheese danish , which inspired this layered Raspberry Cheese Danish Cake. This cake version transforms the flavors of the classic pastry into an elegant, stacked dessert featuring vanilla cake, fresh raspberries, and tangy cream cheese layers.

What is Cheese Danish filling made of?

Cheese Danish filling is classically made with cream cheese , sugar , egg yolk , and a hint of vanilla or lemon zest . In our Raspberry Cheese Danish Cake , we use a simplified version made with cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk , creating a smooth, rich texture that spreads easily between cake layers. It’s lightly sweet, perfectly tangy, and balances beautifully with the fruity raspberry elements.

Is Cheese Danish like cheesecake?

While both desserts use cream cheese, they are quite different in texture and structure. A cheese danish is typically a pastry—flaky and light—while cheesecake is dense and custard-like. The Raspberry Cheese Danish Cake bridges the gap by using a cream cheese filling that is lighter than cheesecake but richer than a simple frosting, offering the best of both worlds.

Why is it called a Cheese Danish?

The term "cheese danish" refers to a Danish pastry filled with sweetened cream cheese, originating from Denmark. When immigrants brought this baking style to the U.S., it became known as the “cheese danish.” Our Raspberry Cheese Danish Cake earns this name because it incorporates the signature cheese danish filling between cake layers, preserving the flavor profile in a new and delicious format.

Raspberry Cheese Danish Cake – Best Layered Dessert Recipe

Name: Raspberry Cheese Danish Cake: A Luscious Layered Dessert You’ll Love
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Cake
Ingredients: FOR THE CAKE; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tbsp baking powder; 1 tsp salt; 8 oz cream cheese, room temp; 1 3/4 cups sugar; 1 cup grapeseed oil; 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste; 3 eggs, room temp; 1 cup buttermilk; 1 cup fresh raspberries, halved; FOR THE FILLING; 8 oz cream cheese; 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk; RASPBERRY PUREE; 1 lb raspberries; FOR THE BUTTERCREAM; 2 cups unsalted butter; 4 oz cream cheese; 7 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 1/2 cup raspberry puree; Pinch of salt

Description

Creamy, fruity, and fluffy—this Raspberry Cheese Danish Cake is a three-layer masterpiece filled with cheese danish filling and raspberry buttercream.

Ingredients

Scale

FOR THE CAKE

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tbsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

8 oz cream cheese, room temp

1 3/4 cups sugar

1 cup grapeseed oil

1 tbsp vanilla bean paste

3 eggs, room temp

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup fresh raspberries, halved

FOR THE FILLING

8 oz cream cheese

1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk

RASPBERRY PUREE

1 lb raspberries

FOR THE BUTTERCREAM

2 cups unsalted butter

4 oz cream cheese

7 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup raspberry puree

Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and line three 8-inch pans.

2. Mix flour, baking powder, salt. Set aside.

3. Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and oil. Mix well.

4. Add vanilla and eggs one by one. Beat until fluffy.

5. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately. Mix gently.

6. Fold in halved raspberries.

7. Divide batter into pans. Bake 25–30 mins. Cool completely.

8. Mix filling ingredients until smooth. Chill if needed.

9. Cook raspberries into thick puree. Strain and chill.

10. Beat butter and cream cheese. Add sugar slowly.

11. Add puree and salt. Beat until fluffy.

12. Layer cake: buttercream ring, then filling. Repeat.

13. Crumb coat the cake. Chill 15 mins.

14. Frost fully with raspberry buttercream.

Notes

Use parchment for perfect cake layers. Make raspberry puree ahead of time for best flavor. Cake can be made a day ahead.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Cake

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 490
Sugar: 38g
Sodium: 220mg
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 58g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 90mg