Fluffy Cheese Danish Recipe: Morning Bliss in Every Bite

Crafting a delightful breakfast cheese danish will transform your morning routine into a delectable celebration.

Flaky pastry layers cradle a smooth, creamy filling that promises pure indulgence.

Morning meals deserve something special beyond ordinary toast and cereal.

Delicate and golden, these danish pastries bring European bakery charm right to your kitchen counter.

Each bite combines rich cream cheese with buttery, crisp pastry in a harmonious dance of flavors.

Professional bakers might seem intimidating, but you can master this simple recipe with confidence.

Treat yourself to a bakery-worthy experience that will make your taste buds sing.

What Makes This Cheese Danish Stand Out

• Simplify Your Breakfast: Tackle this danish recipe with minimal kitchen skills, perfect for beginners wanting delicious results without complicated techniques.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Gather friends and family around a single baking sheet, creating a shareable treat that looks impressive but requires minimal effort.
• Customize Your Creation: Swap fruit preserves or experiment with different flavor extracts to personalize this versatile pastry, making each batch uniquely yours.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Satisfaction: Transform basic pantry ingredients into a bakery-style breakfast in under an hour, saving time without compromising on taste.

Ingredients for This Cheese Danish

• Crescent Roll Dough: A convenient, pre-made pastry that provides a flaky foundation for the danish.

• Cream Cheese: A rich, smooth dairy product that creates a creamy and tangy base for the danish.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps balance the tanginess of the cream cheese.
• Egg Yolk: Provides richness and helps bind the filling together.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces a warm, aromatic flavor to enhance the filling.
• Lemon Juice: Adds a subtle brightness and helps cut through the richness of the cream cheese.

• Fruit Preserves: A sweet, fruity element that can add extra flavor and color to the danish.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet topping for the danish.
• Milk: Helps thin and smooth out the glaze.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a complementary flavor to the sweet glaze.

Step-by-Step Cheese Danish Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C) to create the perfect warm environment for your danish.

Step 2: Shape the Dough Base

Gently unroll the first sheet of crescent roll dough. Carefully press the dough into a smooth rectangle, pinching together any pesky seams.

Spread the dough evenly on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Filling

• Cream cheese
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Egg yolk
• Lemon juice

Blend everything until the mixture becomes silky smooth and irresistibly creamy.

Step 4: Spread the Goodness

Lavish the cream cheese mixture across the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. For an extra burst of flavor, dot some fruit preserves across the surface if you’re feeling adventurous.

Step 5: Create the Top Layer

Carefully unroll the second sheet of crescent roll dough. Gently drape it over the filling like a cozy blanket.

Pinch the edges together to create a perfect seal that locks in all the delicious filling.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the danish into the preheated oven.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top turns a beautiful golden brown. The aroma will fill your kitchen with pure breakfast magic.

Step 7: Whisk Up a Dreamy Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Whisk until the glaze becomes smooth and glossy.

Step 8: Finish and Serve

Once the danish has cooled slightly, drizzle the glaze generously over the top.

Slice into beautiful portions and serve. Enjoy warm or at room temperature for a breakfast treat that’ll make everyone smile.

Smart Tips for Cheese Danish Success

• Seal crescent roll seams tightly to prevent filling leakage during baking.
• Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother, lump-free filling mixture.
• Experiment with different fruit preserves like raspberry, blueberry, or apricot for varied flavor profiles.
• Chill danish for 10-15 minutes before baking to help maintain shape and prevent spreading.
• Check doneness early to avoid over-browning, as ovens can vary in temperature and heating patterns.

Different Styles of Cheese Danish

• Gluten-Free Danish: Replace crescent roll dough with gluten-free puff pastry or almond flour-based dough for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Cream Cheese Version: Substitute dairy cream cheese with cashew-based cream cheese and use plant-based egg replacer to create a dairy-free alternative.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of granulated sugar, and select sugar-free fruit preserves to reduce overall sugar content.
• Savory Breakfast Danish: Replace sweet cream cheese filling with herbed goat cheese, spinach, and caramelized onions for a savory breakfast pastry option.

Pairings That Match Cheese Danish

• Brew Perfect Coffee Companions: Rich medium-roast Colombian coffee balances the danish's sweet creaminess, cutting through the richness with robust flavor notes.
• Breakfast Wine Pairing: Sparkling moscato d'asti offers delicate bubbles and subtle sweetness that complement the cream cheese's tangy profile without overwhelming the pastry.
• Fruit Harmony Boost: Fresh raspberry or strawberry compote provides bright acidity that contrasts the danish's rich texture, enhancing overall taste experience with natural fruity undertones.
• Morning Beverage Elevation: Chai latte with its warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom creates delightful flavor complexity alongside the creamy danish, adding unexpected depth to breakfast.

Best Way to Keep Cheese Danish

• Store leftover danish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
• Carefully wrap individual slices or the whole danish in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Preheat oven to 325F. Place danish on a baking sheet and warm for 8-10 minutes. Cover loosely with foil to prevent over-browning and maintain moisture.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of preserves?

Yes, you can easily swap fruit preserves. Try raspberry, strawberry, or apricot for variety and add a personal touch to your cheese danish.

• Is it possible to make this recipe ahead of time?

Definitely! Prepare the danish the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake in the morning for a fresh breakfast treat that saves you morning prep time.

• What if I don't have crescent roll dough?

Puff pastry works great as an alternative. Just unroll and follow the same assembly steps for a similar flaky texture and delicious result.

• How can I tell when the danish is perfectly baked?

Look for a golden brown color across the top and edges. When the pastry looks evenly colored and slightly puffy, it’s ready to come out of the oven.

Easy Breakfast Cheese Danish Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Irresistible Cheese Danish brings European bakery charm straight to kitchen counters with minimal effort. Flaky pastry and creamy cheese filling promise a delightful morning indulgence you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cans (8 ounces each) crescent roll dough or puff pastry sheets
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup fruit preserves

Filling and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Glaze Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 12 tablespoons (3/4 cup) milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal heat distribution.
2. Carefully unroll the first crescent roll dough, transforming it into a smooth rectangular shape by pressing and sealing the perforated seams on the prepared baking sheet.
3. Create a luxurious filling by blending cream cheese with granulated sugar, vanilla extract, egg yolk, and lemon juice until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
4. Artfully spread the cream cheese mixture across the dough, maintaining a small border around the edges to prevent overflow, and optionally dot with fruit preserves for additional flavor complexity.
5. Gently layer the second crescent roll dough over the filling, meticulously sealing the edges to encapsulate the creamy interior and create a unified pastry structure.
6. Transfer the assembled danish to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, monitoring until the surface transforms into a golden, appetizing brown tone.
7. Craft a delicate glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract until smooth, creating a glossy finishing touch.
8. Allow the danish to cool slightly, then elegantly drizzle the glaze across the surface, creating an inviting presentation before slicing and serving warm or at room temperature.

Notes

• Customize your filling by experimenting with different flavored cream cheese or fruit preserves for unique taste combinations.
• Prevent soggy bottom by ensuring crescent roll dough is well-sealed and pressed firmly to create a tight barrier for the creamy filling.
• Make it gluten-free by substituting crescent roll dough with gluten-free puff pastry or a homemade almond flour-based dough for those with dietary restrictions.
• Enhance the danish’s presentation by sprinkling sliced almonds or powdered sugar on top before baking for added texture and visual appeal.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Danish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 288 kcal
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 213 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg