Easy Cherry Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls Danish Recipe
These Easy Cherry Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls Danish are a delightful and simple pastry perfect for breakfast or dessert. Made with flaky crescent dough, a creamy sweetened cream cheese filling, and topped with juicy cherry pie filling, these danishes combine the perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors. Ready in just 30 minutes, they are ideal for quick entertaining or an indulgent treat.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast Pastry
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 can Pillsbury Crescent Dough
Cream Cheese Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla
Topping & Assembly
- 1 tbsp butter (melted)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup cherry pie filling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it's ready for baking the danishes perfectly golden.
- Prepare the dough: Open the can of crescent dough without unrolling it fully. Cut the dough roll into 8 equal slices and place them on a baking sheet. Press the center of each slice down gently to form a shallow bowl about 2 ½ inches in diameter, keeping the edges raised to hold the filling.
- Make the cream cheese filling: In a medium bowl, use a mixer to beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla until the mixture is light and fluffy. Set aside.
- Mix the cinnamon topping: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon to create a sweet cinnamon sugar mix.
- Butter and sprinkle rolls: Use a pastry brush to paint melted butter over each dough bowl and sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon sugar mixture for a flavorful crust.
- Assemble the danishes: Spoon about a teaspoon of the cream cheese filling into the center of each dough bowl, spreading it to fill the cavity while leaving a small indent in the middle. Top each with 2-3 cherries from the cherry pie filling, placing them carefully in the indent.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the danishes for 13-15 minutes until they turn golden brown and the edges are crisp.
- Store leftovers: Allow danishes to cool slightly, then store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Do not unroll the crescent dough before cutting; this keeps the crescent layers flaky.
- Softened cream cheese is essential for a smooth and easy-to-spread filling.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor in the cream cheese mixture.
- Pressing the dough to create a bowl helps hold the filling and prevents spillage.
- Serve warm for the best texture, but these danishes can be reheated briefly before serving.
