These homemade Cheese Danishes are everything you want in a sweet breakfast or brunch pastry—flaky, golden, buttery crescent dough wrapped around a rich, tangy cream cheese filling. With minimal ingredients and simple steps, they’re quick to make yet taste like a luxurious treat from a bakery. Perfect for morning gatherings, weekend indulgences, or even an afternoon snack, these danishes come together in under 30 minutes and are guaranteed to impress.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
For the Danish:
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2 tubes crescent roll dough
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8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
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1/3 cup granulated white sugar
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1 tsp pure vanilla extract
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2 tbsp salted butter (melted)
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8 tbsp light brown sugar (about 1 tbsp per danish)
For the Glaze:
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1/2 cup powdered sugar
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1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
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1–2 tsp milk (adjust for desired consistency)
Directions
1. Preheat the oven:
Set your oven to 350°F (177°C).
2. Make the cream cheese filling:
In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, white sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
3. Prepare the dough:
Unroll both tubes of crescent rolls and press the seams to form 8 rectangles.
4. Add butter and sugar:
Brush each rectangle with melted butter, then sprinkle with about 1 tbsp of light brown sugar.
5. Shape the danishes:
Roll each rectangle into a coil, then gently shape into a circle and pinch the ends to seal.
6. Fill the centers:
Place the coils on a greased baking sheet. Spoon about 2 tbsp of the cream cheese filling into the center of each one.
7. Bake:
Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown and fully cooked.
8. Glaze:
Whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk to form a smooth glaze. Drizzle over the warm danishes after they’ve cooled slightly.
Nutrients (Estimated per danish, yields 8 servings)
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Calories: ~300–350
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Fat: ~18g
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Saturated Fat: ~10g
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Carbohydrates: ~35g
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Sugars: ~20g
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Protein: ~4g
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Fiber: ~1g
The Magic of Crescent Dough
One of the most convenient aspects of this recipe is the use of crescent roll dough. It replaces the need for homemade laminated dough (which can be time-consuming and tricky for beginners) while still delivering a light, flaky texture that’s wonderfully satisfying. The crescent dough bakes into a golden, crispy crust that contrasts beautifully with the velvety cream cheese center.
This shortcut doesn’t sacrifice taste—it enhances accessibility. Whether you’re new to baking or just want a quick option that still delivers gourmet results, using crescent dough transforms this once-special occasion pastry into an everyday luxury.
A Rich, Tangy Cream Cheese Filling
The soul of any good cheese danish is the filling. In this version, room-temperature cream cheese is blended with granulated sugar and pure vanilla extract, creating a smooth, lightly tangy mixture that balances the sweetness of the dough and glaze. The vanilla adds depth and warmth, while the sugar helps the cream cheese caramelize slightly as it bakes.
Unlike overly sweet pastries, this danish walks the fine line between sweet and rich, making it suitable not just as a dessert, but also as a morning or midday indulgence. The filling stays soft and slightly molten after baking, especially if you serve the danishes warm.
Elegant, But Easy to Make
Despite their sophisticated appearance, these danishes are incredibly straightforward. The process starts with unrolling crescent dough, sealing seams, and brushing with melted butter. A sprinkle of brown sugar adds a caramel-like layer as the dough bakes. Each piece is then rolled, shaped, filled, and baked to golden perfection.
The final touch—a drizzle of vanilla glaze—adds a sweet, glossy finish that makes the pastries look bakery-fresh. The glaze is made from powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a touch of milk, and it’s easily customizable based on how thick or thin you want it.
The result? A picture-perfect danish that comes together in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
Perfect for Every Occasion
Cheese Danishes are versatile. They’re ideal for brunch tables, family breakfasts, holiday mornings, or simply as a way to treat yourself during a busy workweek. Because they look so impressive, they’re perfect when entertaining guests—everyone will think you spent hours making them.
They’re also great for gifting. Wrapped up in parchment or placed in a pastry box, they make a thoughtful homemade gift for teachers, neighbors, or coworkers. Whether paired with coffee, tea, or a mimosa, they’re always a crowd-pleaser.
You can even prep them the night before by assembling the coils and refrigerating them, then baking fresh in the morning. This makes them a great choice for holidays or busy weekends.
Tips for Success
There are a few simple tips that can take your Cheese Danishes from great to exceptional. First, make sure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature. This ensures the filling blends smoothly without lumps. Also, sealing the crescent roll seams well helps prevent the filling from leaking during baking.
When shaping the danish coils, press them gently to flatten slightly and create a well in the center to hold the filling. Don’t overfill each danish—about 2 tablespoons of filling is just right. Finally, let the pastries cool slightly before glazing; this prevents the glaze from melting completely and allows it to sit nicely on top.
Customizing Your Danishes
One of the beauties of this recipe is how easy it is to customize. You can add a dollop of fruit preserves or pie filling—like raspberry, blueberry, or cherry—on top of the cream cheese for a fruity twist. Citrus zest, such as lemon or orange, can be added to the filling for a zippier flavor profile.
If you’re a fan of warm spices, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the brown sugar layer for an autumnal feel. You can also make a chocolate variation by sprinkling mini chocolate chips over the cream cheese before baking. And for an extra indulgent version, brush the finished danishes with a bit of melted butter before glazing.
Storage and Reheating
Cheese Danishes are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, but they can be stored and reheated without losing their charm. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or in the refrigerator for up to five days. To reheat, place them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–7 minutes or microwave for 15–20 seconds for a warm, gooey treat.
If you want to make a larger batch, you can freeze them after baking and cooling. Wrap individually in foil or plastic wrap, then place in a zip-top bag and freeze for up to one month. Reheat in the oven directly from frozen for best results.
Why You’ll Love These Danishes
These homemade Cheese Danishes combine the convenience of store-bought ingredients with the satisfaction of a made-from-scratch flavor experience. They’re flaky, buttery, sweet, and slightly tangy—just what a perfect pastry should be. The recipe is quick, beginner-friendly, and endlessly adaptable. Whether you’re serving a table full of brunch guests or just making a weekend breakfast special, these danishes deliver bakery-style results with a fraction of the effort.
Their rich cream cheese filling, crisp edges, and warm, sweet aroma make them irresistible, and they’re bound to become a staple in your kitchen once you see how easy they are to prepare.
Conclusion
Homemade Cheese Danishes are proof that you don’t need a pastry chef or fancy tools to make something extraordinary. With minimal ingredients and easy steps, these pastries are approachable for even novice bakers, yet elegant enough to serve at any special gathering. The rich cream cheese filling, flaky dough, and sweet glaze combine to create a mouthwatering treat that’s equally suitable for breakfast, dessert, or an indulgent snack.
This recipe invites creativity, offers convenience, and delivers on flavor every time. Whether you’re sharing with family, bringing to a potluck, or just treating yourself to something delightful with your morning coffee, these danishes are always the right choice. Let them become your new favorite weekend tradition—and enjoy the smiles they bring with every golden, creamy bite.
