Crescent cheese danishes are one of the most delicious and simple pastries that will leave your tastebuds delighted. You can whip up a batch of these tasty treats in no time with just crescent roll dough and cream cheese. Trust me when I say that once you take a bite of the warm, gooey cheese filling wrapped in a lightly sweet and flaky crescent roll, you’ll be hooked!
I’ve been making these danishes for years anytime I need an easy crowd-pleasing dessert. My family goes crazy over them and they are perfect for any occasion from birthday parties to holiday celebrations. You don’t need advanced baking skills, just a little time and a love for cheese danishes!
Should I Use Puff Pastry Instead of Crescent Dough?
Feel free to experiment with puff pastry dough instead of crescent roll dough if you prefer. I haven’t tested it myself but I imagine they would be just as delicious, if not more flaky! The light and airy layers of puff pastry could provide an interesting twist on the classic cheese danish made from crescent dough.
What Kind of Fruit Can I Use as Filling?
You absolutely can swap out the cream cheese filling for a fruity jam or preserves instead. I think cherry or apricot jam would be divine, though any fruit preserves would do the trick. You can even put the fruit on top as a finishing touch instead of mixing it into the filling if you prefer the tangy cream cheese front and center. Get creative with your own favorite fruit combinations!
How Do I Get the Pastries Golden Brown?
To achieve that perfectly golden browned cheese danish, make sure to bake them for 15-17 minutes or until the tops and edges start to turn light brown. If they seem to be browning too quickly, tent some foil loosely over the top. Watch them closely near the end to get your desired level of crispness without burning.
Should I Glaze the Danishes When They Are Warm or Cool?
I prefer to drizzle the powdered sugar glaze over the cheese danishes as soon as they come warm and fragrant out of the oven. The warmth helps the glaze melt smoothly and evenly across the surface. However, you can certainly wait for them to cool completely if you are looking for more of a hardened glaze topping. Just be careful when glazing warm pastries as the sugar mixture can melt unexpectedly fast!
I hope these ooey, gooey crescent cheese danishes become one of your go-to recipes to impress guests or treat yourself. They are easy, versatile and so satisfying. Enjoy!
Crescent Cheese Danishes Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 Tubes of Prepared Crescent Roll Dough
- 8 Ounces Cream Cheese, at Room Temperature
- ½ Cup Granulated White Sugar
- ¼ Cup Light Brown Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, Melted
- 1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Glaze:
- ½ Cup Powdered Sugar
- 4 Teaspoons Milk
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions for a Perfect Danish:
- Preparation: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Dough Handling: Carefully open the tubes of crescent roll dough. Avoid unrolling them.
- Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, blend the cream cheese, lemon juice, vanilla, and granulated sugar until smooth and well-combined.
- Slice the Dough: Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into thick slices, ranging from ½” to ¾”. Remember not to unroll the dough.
- Arrange Slices: Place the slices on the parchment-lined baking trays.
- Edge Formation: Gently use your fingers to create a small raised edge around each dough slice. This helps contain the filling.
- Sugar and Butter Mix: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with the light brown sugar.
- Apply Toppings: Brush each dough slice with the butter mixture. Then, evenly distribute the cream cheese mixture onto each slice.
- Baking: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 17 minutes, or until they turn a light golden brown.
- Glaze Preparation: In a separate bowl, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to create the glaze.
- Final Touch: Drizzle the glaze over each baked cheese danish. Optionally, you can top them with your favorite fruit.
- Serve and Enjoy!: Your Crescent Cheese Danishes are now ready to delight!
This recipe offers a perfect blend of sweetness and creaminess, wrapped in a flaky crust. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or as a delightful snack!
