Crescent Roll Can Cheese Danishes Recipe
If you’re on the lookout for a delightful and effortless treat that will impress breakfast guests and satisfy sweet cravings alike, then the Crescent Roll Can Cheese Danishes Recipe is your new best friend. These danishes combine the flakiness of crescent roll dough with the creamy, sweet tang of a smooth cream cheese filling. Topped with a simple vanilla glaze, they are just the kind of baked good that feels fancy but is surprisingly easy to make. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just a weekend indulgence, this recipe will quickly become a beloved staple.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Crescent Roll Can Cheese Danishes Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in delivering a perfect balance of flavor, texture, and that irresistible golden color you want from a baked danish.
- Crescent roll dough (1 can, 8 oz): Provides the flaky, buttery base that’s quick and easy to work with.
- Cream cheese (8 oz, softened): Offers the smooth, rich filling with a mild tang that pairs beautifully with the dough.
- Powdered sugar (1/4 cup + additional for glaze): Adds gentle sweetness to both the filling and the glaze for a delicate finish.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp + 1/4 tsp for glaze): Brings depth and warmth to the cream cheese and glaze, enhancing every bite.
- Egg (1, for egg wash, optional): Gives the danishes a lustrous, golden-brown finish that is simply irresistible.
- Milk (1-2 tsp for glaze): Helps create a smooth, pourable consistency for the glaze.
How to Make Crescent Roll Can Cheese Danishes Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Your Baking Surface
Begin by heating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it warms up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to ensure your danishes don’t stick and your cleanup is a breeze. This simple step sets the foundation for perfect baking every time.
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese together with 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture becomes smooth, creamy, and utterly luscious. This filling is the star of the danishes, offering a rich contrast to the crisp pastry.
Step 3: Prepare the Crescent Roll Dough
Unroll your crescent roll dough carefully, then separate it into the individual triangles. To prevent the dough from leaking or losing shape during baking, pinch the perforations closed on each triangle. This ensures a solid piece of pastry that holds the delicious filling perfectly.
Step 4: Shape the Danishes
Lay each piece of dough on your prepared baking sheet and gently form it into a ring shape or elongated oval—whichever you prefer. Leave some space between them so they can puff up without sticking together. Spoon a dollop of the cream cheese filling right into the center of each pastry, promising a creamy surprise inside.
Step 5: Add an Egg Wash (Optional)
For that beautiful golden and glossy appearance, beat the egg in a small bowl and use a pastry brush to lightly coat the edges of each crescent dough piece. This step is optional but highly recommended if you want your danishes to look as stunning as they taste.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden
Slide your baking tray into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Watch as the crescent dough transforms, turning a gorgeous golden brown and puffing up just right. This short bake time ensures flaky, tender pastry with fully set cheese filling.
Step 7: Whisk the Glaze
While the danishes bake, combine 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 to 2 teaspoons milk, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and thick yet pourable. Adjust with more milk if needed—this glaze is what ties the entire dessert together with a sweet, silky finish.
Step 8: Drizzle and Finish
Once your danishes come out of the oven, let them cool slightly to avoid melting the glaze entirely. Then, generously drizzle your vanilla glaze over each warm danish. The contrast of the warm pastry and the sweet, cool glaze is pure bliss.
How to Serve Crescent Roll Can Cheese Danishes Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a little extra flair to your danishes is easy and fun. Consider sprinkling a light dusting of cinnamon or freshly chopped nuts like pecans or almonds over the glaze for a lovely crunch and spice. Fresh berries or a mint sprig also elevate the visual appeal while introducing fresh flavor notes.
Side Dishes
These danishes shine as a standalone treat, but pairing them with a crisp fruit salad or a hot cup of coffee or tea turns breakfast or brunch into a special experience. The freshness and acidity from fruit balance the richness of the cream cheese filling wonderfully. A dollop of whipped cream on the side never hurts either.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond the plate by arranging your danishes on a tiered serving tray for brunch gatherings or gifting them wrapped with parchment and a bright ribbon. You might also try filling the centers with fresh jam or lemon curd before baking for a creative twist on the classic Crescent Roll Can Cheese Danishes Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers after indulging (which can happen quickly!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Keeping them covered prevents the dough from drying out, and they maintain their delightful texture for later enjoyment.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked danishes by preparing them up to shaping, then placing them on a baking sheet to freeze solid before transferring to a freezer-safe container. When ready, bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. This makes it easy to enjoy fresh danishes any time.
Reheating
To revive the flaky texture and warm creamy center, reheat danishes in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep that perfect crispiness, but for convenience, a quick 20-second zap can work too.
FAQs
Can I use other types of dough instead of crescent roll dough?
While crescent roll dough is ideal for this recipe because of its buttery flavor and flaky texture, you can experiment with puff pastry for a slightly different but still delicious danish. Just keep in mind the baking times might vary slightly.
Is it necessary to use an egg wash?
Nope! The egg wash is optional but recommended if you want a shiny golden crust that looks professionally baked. Without it, the danishes will still taste amazing but may have a softer, pale appearance.
Can I add fruit to the cream cheese filling?
Absolutely! Mixing in a spoonful of your favorite jam or small pieces of fresh fruit like blueberries can add a burst of flavor and freshness to the filling. Just be careful not to overload the filling so it doesn’t become too watery.
How long do these danishes stay fresh?
For the best taste and texture, enjoy them within two days when stored at room temperature. After that, they might start losing their flakiness and become dense or dry.
Can I make these danishes vegan?
With some adjustments, yes. Use vegan crescent roll dough and replace cream cheese with plant-based cream cheese alternatives. For the egg wash, a plant milk or aquafaba brush can give a similar finish. Flavor might shift, but they will still be tasty.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the simplicity and charm of the Crescent Roll Can Cheese Danishes Recipe. It delivers big on flavor and presentation with minimal fuss and ingredients you probably already have. Whether it’s a lazy weekend morning or an impromptu brunch, these danishes are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. Give this recipe a try and watch it bring smiles and warm hearts around your table.
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Crescent Roll Can Cheese Danishes Recipe
- Total Time: 19 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Crescent Roll Can Cheese Danishes are a delightful and easy-to-make pastry featuring soft crescent roll dough filled with a smooth and creamy sweetened cream cheese filling, baked to golden perfection and topped with a luscious vanilla glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, they can be whipped up quickly with minimal ingredients and effort.
Ingredients
Crescent Roll Dough
- 1 can (8 oz) crescent roll dough
Cream Cheese Filling
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Egg Wash (Optional)
- 1 egg
Vanilla Glaze
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tsp milk
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Set this filling aside for later use.
- Prepare the Crescent Roll Dough: Unroll the crescent roll dough and carefully separate it into individual triangles. Pinch the perforations together on each triangle to create a solid piece of dough, which helps maintain the shape during baking.
- Shape the Danishes: On the prepared baking sheet, shape each piece of dough into a ring or a slightly elongated oval. Leave some space between each dough piece. Spoon a small amount of the cream cheese filling onto the center of each shaped dough piece.
- Add an Egg Wash (Optional): If you desire a golden and glossy finish on your danishes, beat the egg in a small bowl and gently brush the edges of each crescent dough piece with the egg wash.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the danishes for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the dough turns golden brown and is fully cooked through.
- Make the Glaze: While the danishes are baking, whisk together 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 to 2 teaspoons of milk, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract in a small bowl to create a smooth glaze. Add more milk if needed to achieve a thick but pourable consistency.
- Finish the Danishes: After removing the danishes from the oven, allow them to cool slightly. Drizzle the prepared vanilla glaze evenly over the warm pastries before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute the powdered sugar in the filling and glaze with a sugar alternative if desired.
- The egg wash is optional but gives the danishes a beautiful golden sheen.
- Be careful not to overfill the danishes to prevent the filling from spilling out during baking.
- Let the danishes cool slightly before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting too much.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
