Easy Breakfast Cheese Danish
Introduction
This Easy Breakfast Cheese Danish is a soft, flaky, and creamy pastry that comes together quickly using crescent roll dough. It’s a perfect morning treat or a sweet addition to brunch — rich, buttery, and drizzled with a silky vanilla glaze.
Ingredients
For the Danish:
2 cans refrigerated crescent rolls
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 egg white
For the Glaze:
½ cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking pan.
Unroll one can of crescent rolls and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, sealing the seams together.
In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and egg until smooth and creamy.
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the first crescent roll layer.
Unroll the second can of crescent rolls and gently place it on top of the cream cheese layer, pressing seams to seal.
Brush the top layer with beaten egg white for a glossy finish.
Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and puffed.
While baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make the glaze.
Allow the danish to cool for 20 minutes, then drizzle evenly with the glaze before serving.
How to Make
The secret to this recipe is layering the crescent dough and creating a creamy, sweet filling in between.
Start with one layer of dough as the base, then add the smooth cream cheese filling.
Top with another layer of dough, brush with egg white, and bake until golden and slightly crisp.
Finish with a drizzle of vanilla glaze for a touch of sweetness and shine.
Variations
Fruit-Filled Danish: Spread fruit jam (strawberry, blueberry, or raspberry) over the cream cheese before adding the top dough layer.
Cinnamon Sugar Danish: Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top of the egg white layer before baking for extra flavor.
Nutty Danish: Add a handful of chopped pecans or almonds on top before baking for a crunchy texture.
Lemon Danish: Replace the glaze’s vanilla with lemon juice and zest for a refreshing twist.
Use room-temperature cream cheese for a smooth and lump-free filling.
Make sure to seal the dough seams tightly to keep the filling inside.
Let the danish cool before glazing so it doesn’t melt into the pastry.
You can make it a day ahead and warm it slightly before serving.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion
This Easy Breakfast Cheese Danish is a comforting and elegant pastry that tastes like it came from a bakery. With its creamy center, buttery crust, and sweet glaze, it’s sure to impress family and guests every time.