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Freshly baked Easy Cheese Danishes with a creamy filling and golden pastry

Easy Cheese Danishes

These Easy Cheese Danishes offer a flaky, creamy pastry that's perfect for a weekend breakfast or a delightful treat to share with friends.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Total Time 31 minutes
Servings: 8 pieces
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Bakery
Calories: 210
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Danish Dough
  • 1 can refrigerated crescent dough sheets or classic crescent rolls
Filling
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 large egg yolk for the filling
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice or 1 teaspoon zest
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • pinch salt
Glaze
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar for the glaze
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons milk for thinning the glaze
Optional Additions
  • to taste fruit jam or fresh berries

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
  2. Beat cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, lemon, and salt in a bowl until smooth and creamy without lumps.
Shaping
  1. If using crescent rolls, pinch seams to form rectangles. If using dough sheets, cut into 8 squares.
  2. Fold the edges slightly to create walls around the filling or twist into spirals for a decorative look.
Filling and Baking
  1. Spoon 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of filling into the center of each piece of dough. Add a teaspoon of jam if desired.
  2. Beat the remaining egg and brush the edges of the dough.
  3. Bake for 12 to 16 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown.
Glazing
  1. Mix powdered sugar and milk until smooth, then drizzle over the warm danishes.

Notes

Keep the dough cold and do not overfill to avoid spills. Baking on parchment paper makes for easier cleanup and prevents burning.