These delectable easy cream Cheese Danish are made easy with ready-made crescent roll dough, a five-ingredient cream cheese filling, and a two-minute glaze. Making fresh bakery Danish pastry has never been quicker or easier.
Super Easy Cheese Danish
Impress your friends and family with this simple yet delicious cheese Danish recipe. With just a few ingredients and easy steps, you’ll have a homemade pastry that will rival any bakery! I love to make these pastries for Sunday breakfast and holiday brunches. Everyone loves them, and they are always a huge hit.
Easy Ingredients for Cheese Danish
- Cream cheese – full fat
- Granulated sugar
- Lemon juice – preferably fresh
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract – the pure stuff
- Crescent roll dough – refrigerated in the tube and ready to bake like Pillsbury.
- Powdered sugar – also known as confectioners’ sugar
How to make Cheese Danish
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, blend the cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Then, set it aside for a few minutes.
Open the crescent roll dough and separate it into 8 rectangles of 2 triangles each. Using your fingers, pinch the perforations closed. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 1-inch by 8-inch (or the length of the dough) segments. Grab each end and twist in the opposite direction. Now, lay it in a spiral on a parchment-covered baking sheet. Repeat until all the dough is twisted and spiraled.
Using your thumb, gently press down on the center of each one, creating a little well. Then, scoop a heaping spoonful of the cream cheese mixture onto the dough spirals. Using a fork, lightly beat the egg and water together. Using a small pastry brush, lightly brush the exposed dough with the egg wash. Don’t let the egg wash puddle up. Bake in a preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the dough is puffed up and browned.
Mix the powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla in a small bowl until smooth. Use a fork or a piping bag to drizzle the icing over the pastries.
Beth’s Recipe Tips
- Soften the cream cheese by removing it from the refrigerator about 45 minutes before starting the recipe.
- Place the crescent rolls still in their packaging in the freezer for about 15 minutes before starting the recipe. This makes the dough easier to work with and does not freeze it.
- For an over-the-top taste treat, top with jam, preserves, or pie filling like blueberry, strawberry, and raspberry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do your best to pinch the perforations closed on the dough, but if it breaks while you are twisting and forming the Danish, then pinch the broken pieces back together and continue with the recipe.
The cream cheese mixture in the middle of the cheese Danish is very similar to that of a cheesecake, which requires refrigeration. Once the Danish is thoroughly cooled, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To warm, place the Danish on a baking sheet in a 350-degree oven for about 5 minutes or until warm.
If longer-term storage is desired, then freeze them. Cool them thoroughly, then place the Danishes in a single layer with space between them on a parchment-covered baking sheet. Place the baking sheet on a flat surface in the freezer. This process is known as flash freezing. Once frozen, transfer them to a heavy-duty freezer container. When ready to eat, remove the desired amount from the container and defrost in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
More Sweet Treats
Cheese Danish Recipe
Ingredients
Cheese Danish
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tubes crescent roll dough
Egg Wash
- 1 egg room temperature
- 1 tablespoon cool water
Vanilla Icing
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ -2 tablespoon heavy cream or milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, blend the cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy; set aside.
- Open the crescent roll dough and separate it into 8 rectangles of 2 triangles each. Using your fingers pinch the perforations closed. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 1-inch by 8-inch (or the length of the dough) segments. Grab each end and twist in the opposite direction. Lay it in a spiral on a parchment-covered baking sheet. Repeat until all the dough is twisted and spiraled.
- Using your thumb, gently press down on the center of each one creating a little well. Scoop a heaping spoonful of the cream cheese mixture into the wells of the dough spirals.
- Using a fork, lightly beat the egg and water together. Use a small pastry brush to lightly brush the exposed dough with egg wash. Don’t let the egg wash puddle.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until the dough is puffed up and browned. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing to cooling racks.
- Allow to fully cool. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla until smooth. Use a fork or a piping bag to drizzle the icing over the pastries. Store the danish in the fridge.
Notes
- Soften the cream cheese by removing it from the refrigerator about 45 minutes prior to starting the recipe.
- Place the crescent rolls still in their packaging in the freezer for about 15 minutes before starting the recipe. This makes the dough easier to work with and does not freeze it.
- For an over-the-top taste treat, top with jam, preserves, or pie filling like blueberry, strawberry, and raspberry.
Nutrition
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Melissa Cushing
Cheese Dansih is hands down my favorite and I am for sure pinning this recipe to try and recreate your delicious recipe! My hsuband will love this too….and I know that homemade is always better! Delish and thanks for sharing your recipe!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Melissa!
Kat
Beth, these cheese danishes look absolutely divine! 😍 I can almost taste the creamy filling and flaky pastry. Thanks for sharing this easy recipe—I can’t wait to impress my friends with these at our next brunch! 🥐🍴
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Kat!
Jayla
I use to make a cream cheese and raspberry danish type thing in the mornings, but this recipe was easier and tastier. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Sue M
The Super Easy Cheese Danish recipe promises a delightful homemade pastry experience that’s bound to impress friends and family alike. With its straightforward instructions and minimal ingredients, it’s the perfect go-to for lazy Sundays or special occasions. Can’t wait to try it out and elevate my pastry game!
Violet W
I love a Danish pastry and I didn’t realize how satisfying it would feel to make my own. These will now be made as a treat for when we fancy some – love the cream cheese filling.
Tricia H
These are so good! I loved making them for a little brunch get together with some girlfriends. I sent them home with recipe.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Tricia! I appreciate that!
Taliah
Cheese Danishes are one of my favorites! These were so delicious and perfect with a cup of coffee…my new favorite indulgence! I loved every bite! Too bad I had to share with my husband!
Beth Pierce
I understand, Taliah! LOL!
Karen Copeland
I love anything that has cream cheese but I never had cream cheese danish…I am doing your recipe for sure. I cannnn’t wait…Thank you so much for sharing.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Karen. Enjoy!
Michelle W
I’m always on the lookout for quick and delicious recipes, and this one hits the mark perfectly. We enjoyed every bite and we loved making them!
Natasha
These are so easy to make and so yummy. The kids and I made them over the weekend and they were so tasty we finished all of them. In restrospect maybe we should not have. LOL!
Beth Pierce
I understand, Natasha! LOL!
April F
I LOVE these! They’re so easy to make!
Allyson
They were amazing and I love how easy they were to make! So yummy! Thank you!!