Enjoy a warm, flaky bakery-style pastry at home with this easy Cream Cheese Crescent Danish recipe! Buttery, crescent dough is twisted then filled with sweet cream cheese, and topped with apricot, cherry, or blueberry preserves. A drizzle of almond glaze adds the perfect touch. It makes an amazing breakfast or a sweet treat!
If you love easy breakfast recipes like this one, try my Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches and my Sheet Pan Pancakes!
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Before you get started / Kelley’s tips
- Use Cold Dough. Crescent roll dough is easier to work with when it’s chilled. If it gets too soft while you’re shaping it, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes and then try again!
- Seal the Seams Well. Press the seams of the crescent roll dough together firmly to prevent them from separating while baking.
- Make Little Indents. Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to gently press down the center of each Danish to hold in the filling.
- Let Them Cool Before Glazing. Let the Danishes cool slightly so the glaze can be drizzled on top for the perfect finishing touch instead of melting into the pastry.
Ingredients Needed
- Crescent Roll Dough: You will need pre-made crescent roll dough for this recipe. You don’t have to make your own dough, which makes this so easy!
- Cream Cheese: Mixing cream cheese with a few other ingredients makes for a delicious sweet and savory topping.
- Vanilla: Added for flavor. You could also add in almond extract.
- Lemon Zest: Lemon zest adds flavor and adds a tangy bite to the cream cheese topping!
- Fruit Preserves: You can choose your favorite fruit preserves like apricot, cherry, blueberry, or strawberry.
- For the Glaze: Powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract.
How to Make Cream Cheese Crescent Danishes
- Preheat and Prep Topping: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and lemon zest to a small bowl. Whisk to combine and set aside.
- Prep the Dough: Roll out the crescent roll dough. Pinch the seams together with your fingers.
- Cut the Dough: Starting at the shorter end, cut into 6 strips.
- Assemble the Danishes: Twist each strip so it looks like a rope, then form it into a circle. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Create a Dent: Make an indent with your finger in each crescent roll.
- Fill: Fill each crescent roll with the cream cheese topping and your favorite fruit preserves.
- Bake: Bake the cream cheese danishes for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the danishes to cool before drizzling with glaze.
- For the Glaze: Combine powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Then, glaze the Danishes once they are cooled for added sweetness!
Storage Instructions
- To store: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- To freeze: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. When you are ready to eat the danishes, let them thaw in the fridge overnight.
- To reheat: From frozen, reheat them in the oven at 350 degrees for about 7-10 minutes. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t burn!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent roll dough?
Yes, of course! Puff pastry will actually give you a flakier, more bakery-style Danish. Just cut it into strips, twist, and follow the same filling and baking instructions.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can assemble the Danishes the night before and store them in the fridge until you are ready to bake them. Then just drizzle with the glaze after they are baked and cooled!
What other toppings can I use?
Try swapping out the fruit preserves for fresh berries, chocolate chips, or even a cinnamon sugar topping for a fun twist!
More recipes you will love:
- Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
- Blueberry Scones
- Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
- French Toast Muffin Cups
- Caramel Pecan Banana Bread
Cream Cheese Crescent Danish
Email this Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 can crescent roll dough
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- preserves for topping, apricot, cherry, blueberry
Glaze
- 4 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp milk
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.Add cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and lemon zest to a small bowl. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
- Roll out crescent roll dough. Pinch seams together with your fingers.
- Starting at the shorter end cut into 6 strips.
- Twist each strip so it looks like a rope then form it into a circle. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Make an indent in the center or each crescent roll.
- Fill with cream cheese filling and top with your favorite preserves.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.Allow the danishes to cool before drizzling with glaze.
Glaze
- Combine ingredients in small bowl and whisk until smooth.
Nutrition Information
Did You Make This?
I’d love to hear your feedback! Leave a review and make sure to share your pictures on social media! Don’t forget to follow @thechefsavvy.
Lisa M Grossi
These were so quick and Easy! I’ve got so many ideas for more!!!
Vicki
Super easy and delicious!
Kelley Simmons
Yah so happy to hear you enjoyed this!