Easy Crescent Roll Danish for Sweet Mornings
If you’re craving a sweet, flaky treat that comes together quickly and fills your kitchen with the most inviting aroma, this Crescent Roll Danish recipe is your new best friend. Combining buttery crescent rolls with sweet cream cheese and a touch of fruit, it’s the perfect way to brighten up your mornings or impress guests with minimal effort. Whether you’re a busy parent, a brunch enthusiast, or just someone who loves simple, homemade desserts, this Crescent Roll Danish delivers flaky layers, delightful sweetness, and buttery goodness all in one easy-to-make recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy mornings or last-minute treats.
- Minimal Ingredients: Uses common pantry staples, requiring no specialty shopping trips.
- Flaky, Buttery Layers: Crescent rolls naturally create the perfect crispiness and texture.
- Customizable Flavors: Easily adapted with different fillings like fruits, nuts, or chocolate.
- Great for Sharing: Ideal for brunches, potlucks, or family breakfasts.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Crescent Roll Danish recipe plays an important role, bringing balance and flavor to create that irresistible finish. From the creamy filling to the delicate dough, these essentials are easy to find and come together beautifully.
- Crescent Roll Dough: The flaky, buttery base that makes this dish incredibly easy and delicious.
- Cream Cheese: Provides a rich and smooth filling that pairs perfectly with the dough’s flakiness.
- Sugar and Vanilla Extract: Sweeten and add warmth to the cream cheese mixture.
- Fruit Preserves or Jam: Adds a burst of fruity sweetness and moisture to complement the cream cheese.
- Egg Wash (egg and water): Helps achieve a glossy, golden crust for the perfect finish.
Variations for Crescent Roll Danish
This Crescent Roll Danish recipe is wonderfully adaptable so you can easily customize it based on what you have available or your flavor preferences. Feel free to mix and match ingredients to make it your own signature morning treat.
- Berry Bliss: Use fresh berries or berry jam to brighten the flavor with natural tartness.
- Cinnamon Sugar: Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the cream cheese filling for a warm, cozy twist.
- Nutty Delight: Add chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts inside for extra crunch and flavor.
- Chocolate Lover’s: Include mini chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate on top for indulgence.
- Vegan Option: Swap dairy cream cheese for a plant-based alternative and use vegan crescent rolls.
How to Make Crescent Roll Danish
Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
Combine softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy, ensuring the sugar fully dissolves to get a silky texture perfect for spreading.
Step 2: Unroll and Separate Crescent Rolls
Gently unroll the crescent dough and separate the pre-scored triangles. For extra flaky layers, you can pinch seams slightly but keep the dough flexible enough to fold.
Step 3: Add the Filling and Preserve
Spread a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture onto each triangle, then add a dollop of your favorite fruit preserves or jam on top. Be careful not to overload to prevent soggy layers.
Step 4: Fold and Shape
Starting at the wide end, carefully roll each triangle towards the pointed tip, creating the classic crescent shape with the filling enclosed inside.
Step 5: Apply Egg Wash and Bake
Brush each rolled Danish with an egg wash made by whisking one egg with a teaspoon of water. This will give a beautiful golden shine. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and puffed up.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Allow the Danish to cool for a few minutes before serving. Optionally, drizzle with glaze or dust with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness and elegance.
Pro Tips for Making Crescent Roll Danish
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Use cream cheese softened to room temperature for a smooth filling.
- Don’t Overfill: Keep fruit preserves light to avoid soggy pastry and leaking during baking.
- Egg Wash Perfected: Brush the edges and tops evenly for uniform browning and shine.
- Use a Parchment Liner: Prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Watch the Bake Time: Ovens vary; check early to avoid over-browning.
How to Serve Crescent Roll Danish
Garnishes
Enhance your Crescent Roll Danish by topping with powdered sugar, a drizzle of simple glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice, or even a sprinkle of chopped nuts for contrast.
Side Dishes
Pair your Danish with a fresh fruit salad, a dollop of whipped cream, or a steaming cup of coffee or tea to make your breakfast spread complete and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Danishes on a rustic wooden board or a pretty platter, and add small bowls of extra preserves, fresh berries, or honey for guests to customize their bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Crescent Roll Danish in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For best freshness, consume within this time frame as the pastry will start to lose its flakiness.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked Crescent Roll Danish on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to one month. Bake directly from frozen with a few extra minutes added to the cooking time.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 to 7 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the pastry soggy.
FAQs
Can I use homemade crescent roll dough?
Absolutely! While store-bought crescent dough is convenient, homemade dough will add a personal touch and can enhance flavor and texture.
What’s the best fruit filling for Crescent Roll Danish?
Popular choices include raspberry, apricot, or strawberry preserves, but fresh berries or sliced fruit also work beautifully.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, by using gluten-free crescent roll dough and ensuring all other ingredients, like preserves, are gluten-free, you can enjoy this treat without gluten.
Is the Crescent Roll Danish suitable for kids?
Definitely! Kids love the buttery, sweet flavor and the fun, crescent shape makes it appealing and easy to eat.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time for a party?
Yes, prepare the shaped Danishes in advance, cover them tightly, and refrigerate. Bake fresh right before serving for the best flaky texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to brighten your morning with a simple yet delightful homemade treat, this Crescent Roll Danish is a must-try. Its buttery flakiness, sweet cream cheese filling, and customizable fruit options make it a crowd-pleaser with minimal fuss. So grab your crescent rolls and give this recipe a go—you might just find your new favorite breakfast tradition.
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Crescent Roll Danish
This Crescent Roll Danish recipe is a quick and easy homemade treat combining flaky, buttery crescent roll dough with a creamy sweetened cream cheese filling and a touch of fruit preserves. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or last-minute dessert, it delivers delightful layers and customizable flavors to impress without the fuss.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Crescent Roll Dough
- 1 package (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough (8 count)
Cream Cheese Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fruit Filling
- 2 tablespoons fruit preserves or jam (raspberry, apricot, strawberry, or berry jam recommended)
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon water
Optional Garnishes
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Simple glaze (powdered sugar mixed with lemon juice)
- Chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling: Combine softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy, ensuring the sugar fully dissolves for a silky texture perfect for spreading.
- Unroll and Separate Crescent Rolls: Gently unroll the crescent dough and separate the pre-scored triangles. For extra flaky layers, pinch seams slightly but keep the dough flexible enough to fold.
- Add the Filling and Preserve: Spread a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture onto each triangle, then add a dollop of your favorite fruit preserves on top. Be careful not to overload to prevent soggy layers.
- Fold and Shape: Starting at the wide end, carefully roll each triangle towards the pointed tip, creating the classic crescent shape with the filling enclosed inside.
- Apply Egg Wash and Bake: Brush each rolled Danish with an egg wash made by whisking one egg with a teaspoon of water for a beautiful golden shine. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and puffed up.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the Danish to cool for a few minutes before serving. Optionally, drizzle with glaze or dust with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness and elegance.
Notes
- Use cream cheese softened to room temperature for a smooth filling.
- Keep fruit preserves light to avoid soggy pastry and leaking during baking.
- Brush egg wash evenly on edges and tops for uniform browning and shine.
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Oven temperatures vary; check early to avoid over-browning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 danish
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: crescent roll danish, cream cheese danish, quick breakfast, easy desserts, flaky pastry, homemade danish, crescent roll recipe, fruit filled danish
