Flaky crescent roll pastry filled with sweet cream cheese, baked golden — an easy, elegant treat perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Delicious Cream Cheese Danish is a simple yet luxurious pastry that tastes like it came from a high-end bakery. Using convenient crescent roll dough, it’s quick to prepare while delivering a flaky crust and a lusciously creamy filling. Perfect for brunch, holidays, or a sweet snack, this versatile danish is loved by both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- 2 cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Unroll one can of crescent roll dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, sealing any seams.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, white sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice until smooth and creamy.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough layer.
- Unroll the second can of dough and carefully place it over the cream cheese layer, sealing the edges.
- Brush the top with melted butter.
- In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle evenly over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Allow to cool slightly before slicing into squares and serving.
Servings and timing
- Servings: 12 servings
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Calories: Approximately 290 kcal per serving
Variations
- Fruit Twist: Add a layer of jam or fruit preserves (like raspberry or blueberry) beneath the cream cheese layer.
- Nutty Addition: Sprinkle chopped pecans or almonds on top before baking for extra crunch.
- Glazed Top: Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze after baking for added sweetness.
- Lemon Lover’s: Increase the lemon juice and add a bit of lemon zest to the filling for a bright citrusy flavor.
- Chocolate Swirl: Add mini chocolate chips into the cream cheese mixture for a sweet surprise.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover danish squares in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm individual pieces in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5–7 minutes until just heated through. Avoid overheating to maintain the flaky texture.
FAQs
Can I use homemade pastry dough instead of crescent rolls?
Yes, homemade pastry dough will work if you prefer a from-scratch version.
How do I prevent the cream cheese from leaking out?
Seal the edges of the dough tightly and ensure seams are pressed together well.
Can I make this danish ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble it the night before and bake it fresh in the morning.
What other fillings can I use?
Fruit preserves, Nutella, or a cinnamon-sugar butter mix are great alternatives.
Can I freeze this cream cheese danish?
Yes, freeze baked and cooled danish slices in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Is it possible to make a smaller batch?
Yes, simply halve all ingredients and use an 8×8-inch baking dish.
How do I make the topping crispier?
Use slightly more brown sugar and cinnamon or sprinkle a bit of raw sugar for extra crunch.
Can I add fresh fruit to the filling?
Yes, chopped strawberries, blueberries, or peaches make wonderful additions.
Is there a way to make this less sweet?
Reduce the amount of white sugar in the filling by about 1/4 if you prefer it less sweet.
What’s the best way to serve it?
Serve warm with a cup of coffee or tea, or enjoy it chilled for a firmer texture.
Conclusion
Delicious Cream Cheese Danish is a wonderfully easy and impressive pastry that brings bakery-quality flavor to your home kitchen. With its flaky crust, creamy filling, and sweet topping, it’s a versatile treat perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Quick to prepare and endlessly adaptable, it’s a recipe you’ll love to bake again and again.
Print
Delicious Cream Cheese Danish
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Flaky crescent roll pastry filled with sweet cream cheese, baked golden — an easy, elegant treat perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert!
Ingredients
2 cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp butter, melted
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Unroll one can of crescent dough and press evenly into the bottom of the dish, sealing seams.
In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, white sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice until smooth.
Spread the cream cheese mixture over the dough layer.
Unroll second can of dough and lay over the cream cheese filling, sealing edges.
Brush the top with melted butter.
Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle over the top.
Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and puffed.
Cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For extra richness, drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze after baking.
- Lemon juice brightens the cream cheese flavor — adjust to taste.
- Store leftovers refrigerated and reheat gently before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American