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close up shot of a danish topped with glaze being picked up with a spatula

Cheese Danish

Warm flaky pastry, with a cream cheese filling, and topped with a sweet glaze, yummy cheese danishes are a popular bakery treat that is easy to make at home.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Cool Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

  • 16 ounces crescent dough rolls (two 8-ounce cans)
  • 16 ounces full fat cream cheese, softened (two 8-ounce packages)
  • 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, divided
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Unroll a full sheet of crescent dough and press into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared baking dish, pressing the seam lines together.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, lemon juice, granulated sugar, and 1 egg.
  • Spread mixture evenly over the crescent dough.
  • Roll out the second sheet of crescent dough, pressing seams together with your fingers. Lay dough over the top of the cream cheese layer.
  • Mix remaining egg with a tablespoon of water and brush over the top of the crescent dough top.
  • Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until crescent dough is golden brown on the top and on the bottom of the baking dish.
  • Allow cheese danish bake to cool for 20 to 30 minutes before topping with glaze.

Video

Notes

  • If you use regular crescent roll dough, you don’t have to seal the edges perfectly, because they will puff up and come together while baking.
  •  Lemon juice adds a hint of flavor to the filling, but can be omitted if you prefer. For a sweeter filling, increase the sugar to a full cup.
  • For an extra special touch, sprinkle the glazed danish with coarse sugar or add lemon to the glaze.