The Fluffiest Cheese Danishes Recipe for Dreamy Breakfast Bliss

Crafting a delightful cheese danishes recipe brings pure joy to lazy weekend mornings.

Buttery pastry layers intertwine with smooth, creamy cheese filling that melts perfectly.

Mornings suddenly become more magical with these delectable treats.

Danish bakeries inspired this classic pastry that anyone can master at home.

Flaky, golden edges promise a delicious experience waiting to unfold.

Soft cream cheese creates a luxurious center that feels both elegant and comforting.

You’ll fall in love with how simple yet impressive these pastries can be.

Prepare to impress everyone at your next brunch gathering!

Why Cheese Danishes Are a Classic Pastry Delight

• Craft with Ease: Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this recipe welcomes both newbies and seasoned kitchen pros with its straightforward steps and minimal ingredients.
• Crowd-Pleasing Delight: Guaranteed to win hearts at breakfast tables, brunch gatherings, or weekend family breakfasts with its irresistible sweet and creamy profile.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Requires minimal prep and baking time, transforming simple crescent dough and cream cheese into a spectacular pastry that looks like it came from a fancy bakery.
• Versatile Treat: Adaptable for various occasions – from casual weekend mornings to potluck parties, these danishes bring a touch of homemade elegance that everyone will adore.

Ingredients for Cheese Danishes

Main Ingredients:

• Crescent Dough: A pre-made pastry that serves as the foundation for the Danish pastry.

• Cream Cheese: A soft, rich cheese that provides a smooth and creamy texture to the danish filling.
• White Sugar: A sweetener that enhances the overall flavor of the cream cheese mixture.

• Vanilla Extract: A classic flavoring that adds depth and warmth to the cream cheese mixture.
• Brown Sugar: A sweet ingredient that provides a caramel-like undertone and creates a rich glaze.

Preparation and Finishing Ingredients:

• Melted Butter, Nonstick Spray: Essential for preventing sticking and adding a golden, rich surface to the pastry.

• Powdered Sugar, Milk, Vanilla: A combination that creates a smooth, sweet drizzle to top the finished danishes.

How to Make Cheese Danishes

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350°F. This will create the perfect baking environment for your delightful danishes.

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Filling

• Cream cheese
• White sugar
• Vanilla extract

Stir until the mixture becomes smooth and dreamy.

Step 3: Prepare the Dough Base

Carefully unroll the crescent dough.

Transform each tube into four rectangular pieces. Pinch and seal those pesky triangle perforations to create solid rectangles.

Step 4: Brush and Sprinkle

Generously brush melted butter across each dough rectangle. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the buttered surface.

Step 5: Roll and Shape

Start rolling from the long side of each rectangle. Gently seal the edges.

Create a beautiful coil by twirling each piece with tender care.

Step 6: Create Filling Pockets

Softly press the center of each dough coil to make a perfect pocket for the cream cheese mixture.

Step 7: Assemble on Baking Sheet

Spray your baking sheet with nonstick coating. Place the dough coils carefully.

Dollop cream cheese mixture into the center of each danish.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven.

Bake for 15-18 minutes until the danishes turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 9: Drizzle with Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla
• Milk

Stir until smooth.

Drizzle the glaze over warm danishes for the ultimate finishing touch.

Tips for Flaky and Creamy Cheese Danishes

• Chill cream cheese beforehand for smoother, easier blending and more consistent texture.
• Use high-quality vanilla extract to enhance the overall flavor profile of the danish.
• Seal crescent dough perforations completely to prevent filling from leaking during baking.
• Let danishes cool slightly before adding glaze to prevent runny, thin topping.
• Try different extracts like almond or lemon for unique flavor variations.

Variations of Cheese Danishes to Try

• Gluten-Free Danish: Replace crescent dough with gluten-free puff pastry or almond flour-based dough for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Fruit-Filled Danish: Swap cream cheese filling with strawberry, blueberry, or raspberry preserves for a fruity alternative.
• Chocolate Cream Danish: Incorporate cocoa powder into cream cheese mixture and add chocolate chips for a rich chocolate version.
• Savory Herb Danish: Transform the recipe by mixing cream cheese with chives, dill, and garlic for a savory breakfast pastry option.

Pairing Ideas for Cheese Danishes

• Rich, bold espresso or smooth cappuccino perfectly complement the sweet cream cheese filling, cutting through the pastry's richness with its robust flavor profile.
• Fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries add a bright, tangy contrast to the sweet danish, creating a balanced and refreshing taste experience.
• A light moscato or sweet riesling provides a delicate, honeyed backdrop that harmonizes beautifully with the creamy, sugary danish texture.
• Serve alongside crunchy almond slivers or chopped pecans to introduce a nutty crunch that balances the soft, tender pastry layers.

Storage Recommendations for Cheese Danishes

• Refrigerate: Store leftover cheese danishes in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap each danish individually in plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent them from sticking together.
• Freeze: Carefully place cooled danishes in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. They'll keep well for 2-3 weeks. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Reheat Oven Method: Warm refrigerated danishes at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispy texture. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.
• Microwave Quick Fix: Reheat from refrigerated state for 15-20 seconds. Warning: Microwaving might slightly soften the pastry's crispness, so oven reheating is preferred.

FAQs

• What ingredients do I need to have at room temperature?

Cream cheese should be at room temperature to blend smoothly and create a creamy filling without lumps.

• Can I use a different type of dough?

Puff pastry or premade pie crust can work as alternative substitutes for crescent roll dough, though the texture might slightly differ from the original recipe.

• How do I prevent the cream cheese filling from leaking?

Seal the edges of the dough carefully and ensure the filling is not overfilled, which helps keep the cream cheese mixture contained during baking.

• What if I don't have powdered sugar for the glaze?

You can substitute powdered sugar with granulated sugar processed in a blender or food processor until it becomes fine and powdery, creating a similar glaze consistency.

Cheese Danishes Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 38 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Delightful cheese danishes blend Danish pastry tradition with creamy cheese filling. Flaky layers and rich cream cheese center promise a delectable breakfast or brunch treat you’ll savor with pure culinary pleasure.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 (8 oz) tubes of crescent rolls
• 1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese (room temperature)
• 8 tbsps light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
• 2 tbsps salted butter (melted)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 4 tsp milk

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Instructions

1. Activate the oven to 350°F (177°C), ensuring proper temperature calibration for optimal baking conditions.
2. Create a smooth cream cheese mixture by thoroughly blending cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until achieving a velvety texture without lumps.
3. Methodically unroll the crescent dough, transforming the original triangular sections into eight uniform rectangular sections by meticulously sealing perforated edges.
4. Generously brush melted butter across each rectangular dough surface, ensuring complete and even coverage.
5. Distribute brown sugar evenly over the buttered dough rectangles, creating a delicate sweet foundation.
6. Carefully roll each rectangle from its elongated side, securing the edges to prevent filling escape.
7. Transform each rolled section by gently coiling the dough, creating an elegant spiral shape.
8. Craft a subtle indentation in the center of each coil, preparing space for the cream cheese filling.
9. Arrange the dough coils on a lightly sprayed baking sheet, then strategically deposit cream cheese mixture into the central depression of each danish.
10. Bake for 15-18 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown coloration that indicates perfect doneness.
11. Whisk powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk into a silky glaze, then elegantly drizzle over warm danishes for a final touch of sweetness.

Notes

• Perfectly seal crescent dough perforations to prevent filling leakage and maintain a clean, professional pastry appearance.
• Ensure cream cheese is genuinely room temperature for smoother blending and more consistent filling texture.
• Experiment with flavor variations by adding lemon zest, cinnamon, or almond extract to the cream cheese mixture for a personalized twist.
• For gluten-free adaptation, substitute crescent dough with gluten-free puff pastry or specialized gluten-free crescent roll alternatives.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Danish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 192 kcal
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 213 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 21 mg