Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Danish
Refrigerated crescent roll dough and a cream cheese mixture are combined to create the ultimate Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Danish. They are perfect for a Danish fan. Add this recipe to your breakfast menu today.
Table of Contents
I absolutely love this easy Cream Cheese Danish! The buttery crescent roll dough is perfectly flaky and golden-brown.
The cream cheese filling is creamy and slightly tangy, thanks to the powdered sugar and vanilla, and is better than store-bought danishes. The optional glaze adds a delightful finish.
In just 20 minutes, you have a delicious treat that’s great for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. It’s a simple yet decadent delight with flaky pastry that is hard to resist!
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What goes into this Recipe
- Refrigerated Crescent Roll Dough: Using two cans of dough allows you to create a thick and good sized danish pastries. Unroll one can of Pillsbury crescent rolls and wrap around the second can of crescent rolls. Puff pastry dough would be a good substitute. You can also use this dough to make this Ham Breakfast Casserole.
- Cream Cheese: This brings a creamy and tangy element to the crescent roll danish. If you prefer white sugar or brown sugar, use them in place of the powdered sugar.
- Powdered Sugar: This sweetens the cream cheese mixture and gives it a smooth texture.
- Vanilla Extract: I also love to use vanilla bean paste to amp up the vanilla flavor.
- Jam: I used raspberry jam, but it is optional and you can use whatever flavor your family prefers.
Variations
- Add a topping: Add a scoop of jam or different pie fillings to the top either before or after baking. A raspberry or cherry jam are both great options and would be perfect for Christmas morning. You might also like a blueberry pie filling or lemon curd for a zesty twist.
- Add almonds: Sprinkle some slivered almonds on top of the cream cheese filling for a crunchy almond danish.
- Try different flavors in the filling: Add cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to the cream cheese filling to change up the flavors
How to make a crescent roll cream cheese danish
- Unwrap each package of crescent rolls.
- Wrap one around the other to create a thick round cylinder shape.
- Cut the dough into 8 round circles using a serrated knife on a cutting board.
- Form the dough by flattening it slightly and making an indentation into the middle of each roll. Add to a prepared cookie sheet {or baking dish} about 2 inches apart.
- Next, mix the cream cheese spread, powdered sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl and mix using a hand held mixer until it is smooth.
- Use a few teaspoons cream cheese mixture and add it to the middle of each roll. Spread out into an even layer. Leaving an edge around the outside. For some crunch, sprinkle the outer edge of the crescent roll cheese danish with sanding sugar.
7. Bake them at 375 degrees for 13-15 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Combine the glaze ingredients and whisk until smooth. Drizzle over the top of the rolls.
Expert Tips
- Use a serrated knife to cut the dough into rounds. This helps to be sure that you get a clean cut that allows the dough to hold its shape.
- Use a full-fat cream cheese for maximum flavor and creamy texture in this cream cheese danish recipe. Combined with sugar and vanilla it will create a creamy topping.
- Add a bit of lemon or orange zest into the cream cheese mixture. The extra flavor adds a great touch with little work.
- Add some simple glaze to the top of the roll after baking. This is totally optional but also gives them a great finishing touch.
Storing and Freezing
Store: For storing these Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Danishes, you can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
When you want to enjoy them again, you can reheat them in the microwave for about 20-25 seconds before serving to restore their freshness.
Freeze: If you want to freeze them for longer storage, you should wrap the danishes individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to two months.
When you’re ready to eat them, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat them in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
Recipe FAQs
While a hand-held mixer makes it easier, you can also use a rubber spatula and some elbow grease to achieve a smooth consistency.
Yes, you can make them with different types of pastry dough, including puff pastry sheets and croissant dough, in addition to crescent roll dough.
You can microwave cream cheese for 10-15 seconds to soften it, or you can leave it at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Serve a homemade cheese danish for breakfast with a cup of coffee or for dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
They are the perfect treat and are especially wonderful for a holiday breakfast but are easy enough to make any day of the week.
Do you love Using Crescent Rolls? Try these amazing recipes…
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Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Danish
Ingredients
- 2 cans refrigerated crescent dough
- 3 ounces cream cheese {softened}
- 3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 Tablespoon sanding sugar {optional}
Glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 3 teaspoons milk or heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Remove dough from the first can but do not unroll. Remove dough from the second can and wrap it around the first can of dough, to make a larger roll. Cut dough into 8 equal rounds {I used a serrated knife}. Place each round about 2 1/2 inches apart on a silicone mat {or parchment lined} baking sheet. Press each slice into a thinner, large round disc that is about 4". Be sure to leave a ridge around the outer edge.
- For the filling, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla together in a small bowl. Spoon about 1 1/2 teaspoons of mixture onto each round of dough. Sprinkle the outer edge with sanding sugar {if desired} and bake for 14-16 minutes or until golden brown.
- In a small bowl mix together the glaze ingredients and set aside. Drizzle over pastries once they have cooled for about 5 minutes and serve. Store in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Notes
- Top the Danishes with jam, pie filling or fruit curd for an extra special treat.
- They keep for a couple of days at room temperature in an air tight container. Heat for 20-25 seconds before serving.
- They would be great served for dessert too!
