• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Southern Soul

A Southern Soul

Easy Recipes & Entertaining Ideas For Everyday Life

Search
  • Recipes
    • Air Fryer
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Bread
    • Breakfast
    • Comfort Food
    • Crockpot/Slow Cooker
    • Desserts
    • Grilling
    • Main Dish
    • Party Food
    • Salads
    • Side Dish
    • Snacks
    • Soups & Stews
    • Southern Classics
  • Midweek Menu
  • eBook
  • About
  • Shop
Home » Blog » Recipes » Breakfast

Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Danish

by Donya Mullins 7 Comments This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe

Flaky, buttery crescent rolls, filled with sweetened cream cheese, baked to perfection then drizzled with a bright, lemony glaze is the stuff dreams are made of! Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Danish is a shortcut version of a bakery classic recipe that you can make at home.

Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Danish made into a ring with iceing on a cutting board.

During the holidays and on special occasions, I’m always on the hunt for something special to serve for breakfast or brunch. It’s always nice to spoil people a little by making a delicious, pretty dish.

Besides being delicious and pretty, I also want that “special” recipe to be simple. Like my French Toast Bread Pudding and Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole, I love having recipes I know people will enjoy without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

What Makes This Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Danish So Special?

  • This danish is buttery and sweet with a bright lemony burst of flavor.
  • It’s easy to make with only 7 ingredients.
  • Bakes in 20 minutes or less.
  • It is perfect for serving during the holidays for breakfast or brunch.
  • It’s terrific served as a dessert with coffee or tea!
Crescent rolls, cream cheese, lemons and sugar for danish recipe.

What You Need To Make This Recipe

  • Canned Crescent Rolls
  • Cream Cheese
  • Lemon Juice
  • Lemon Zest
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Milk
  • Confectioners Sugar

Pro Tip: Make sure that the cream cheese is softened, preferably at room temperature. Otherwise, the filling mixture will be lumpy.

Images of crescent rolls with cream cheese filling and pastry rolled for Danish recipe.

How To Make A Danish Ring

This recipe is so pretty and makes a beautiful presentation when served. It’s really simple to make a danish ring. Here’s how:

  • Make the cream cheese filling and set aside.
  • Roll out the crescent rolls into a rectangle and press the seams together. Spread on the filling and roll the dough into a log.
  • Gently move the roll to a baking pan and chill in the refrigerator for 20 – 30 minutes.
  • Remove from refrigerator and, using a serrated knife, cut the roll into 1″ pieces. Place on parchment lined baking sheet in the form of a circle, overlapping each slice.
  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown, then cool slightly.
  • Whisk powdered sugar and milk together. Drizzle over warm danish and serve.
Baked cream cheese danish with lemon sugar icing drizzled with a spoon.

Can Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Danish Be Made Ahead Of Time?

Yes, it sure can! Make the recipe according to the instructions up until baking. Place the danish ring on the cookie sheet, cover it with plastic, then place it in the refrigerator. To serve, take the pan out of the fridge and let the danish come to room temperature. Bake according to the directions, drizzle on the icing and serve.

Variations To This Recipe

This recipe is super versatile and easy to add all kinds of your favorite ingredients to.

  • Swap cinnamon or pumpkin spice mix for a deep flavor that’s great for all things Fall.
  • Sprinkle almonds or nuts over the cream cheese filling for extra texture.
  • Add in your favorite fruit pie filling on top of the cream cheese mixture.
Crescent Roll Crean Cheese Danish on a white plate with lemon slices.

More Breakfast And Brunch Recipes To Try!

  • Easy Cinnamon Rolls
  • Ham and Cheese Croissant Breakfast Casserole
  • Blueberry Sour Cream Muffins
  • Maple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
2 slices of Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Danish on a black plate with lemon slices.

If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and a rating. I always love hearing from you! Also, don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram.

Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Danish made into a ring with iceing on a cutting board.
5 from 2 votes

Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Danish

Author: Donya Mullins
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Print Pin Rate
Flaky, store bought crescent rolls filled with lemony cream cheese, baked then drizzled with a sweet glaze is a cheerful way to start your morning! 

Equipment

  • Hand Mixer
  • Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

  • 1 can crescent rolls
  • 4 oz cream cheese – room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup white sugar

Glaze

  • ½ cup powered sugar
  • 2 – 3 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Blend cream cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice and sugar using a hand mixer until smooth.
  • Lay out crescent rolls on parchment paper in the shape of a rectangle. Pinch together triangles to make one piece of dough. Roll out dough with a rolling pin to about a 12 X 8 size.
  • Spread cream cheese mixture down middle of dough up to ½ inch to edge. Starting on long edge, gently roll dough finishing with the last edge underneath pastry.
  • Gently move roll to a baking pan and chill in refrigerator for 20 – 30 minutes.
  • Remove from refrigerator and using a serrated knife, cut roll into 1″ pieces. Place on parchment lined baking sheet in the form of a circle, overlapping each slice.
  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown. Cool slightly.
  • Whisk powered sugar and milk together. Drizzle over warm danish and serve.
Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Danish made into a ring with iceing on a cutting board.
Did you make my Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Danish?I’d love to see! Share on Instagram, tag @asouthernsoul, and use the hashtag #asouthernsoul!
Tag on Insta Leave a Rating

Want more?

Then grab my Ebook!

1 Week of Family Favorite Menus

 7 menus, 29 recipes, 41 pages, tons of tips!

Ideas, recipes, and strategies to make easy meals loaded with flavor. Each of these recipes is affordable and simple to prepare using common ingredients.

Buy Now
More Info
Arrow icon in teal blue for email opt-in.

Ultimate Spring Recipe Guide

FREE Email Bonus: Spring into flavor with delicious seasonal recipes!

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Rate & Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Kelly

    January 1, 2023 at 11:24 am

    The recipe states to roll dough into a triangle. I’m gonna roll it into a rectangle, roll into a log, then slice. I think this is a typo ♥️

    Reply
  2. Corlissa Fluegel

    April 27, 2016 at 2:31 am

    Do you have any pics of the dough in process? I'm having a hard time envisioning the shape described.

    Reply
  3. Corlissa Fluegel

    April 27, 2016 at 2:31 am

    Do you have any pics of the dough in process? I'm having a hard time envisioning the shape described.

    Reply
    • Dee

      June 29, 2021 at 7:32 pm

      Can this be chilled overnight?

      Reply
      • Donya

        June 30, 2021 at 2:50 pm

        Hey there Dee!
        Yes you can absolutely! If you want to make it ahead of time, I would prepare it and roll this out the night before and refrigerate it. When you do this, make sure to completely ceran wrap it on your baking pan to ensure it is air right, then bake as instructed the next day. I hope this helps! Let me know how you like the recipe, I hope you enjoy!
        ~Donya

        Reply
  4. Joy

    December 23, 2014 at 10:54 pm

    Donya, you had me at cream cheese! I loved your description of the relaxed morning with this luscious danish, PJs and coffee! Thank you for sharing it with us at Treasure Box Tuesday- pinned! 🙂

    Reply
    • Donya Mullins

      December 24, 2014 at 3:51 pm

      Thanks for your sweet words Joy! My dudes went through BOTH rounds by lunchtime. It was hard getting a photo! Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas.
      xo,
      ~Donya

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Donya with A Southern Soul

Meet A Southern Soul

Hey, there! I’m Donya and welcome to A Southern Soul. I love to cook and entertain with easy to make recipes and simple ideas that make people feel special. Read More

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

My New eBook!

1 Week of Family Favorite Menus

Buy Now
More Info

Ultimate Spring Recipe Guide

FREE Email Bonus: Spring into flavor with delicious seasonal recipes!

Trending Now

  • Crock Pot Chicken Thighs in bowl of pot with serving fork.Crock Pot Chicken Thighs
  • Baked Potatoes made in the Air Fryer are tender and fully on the outside with a crispy skin that makes them irresistible. Easy to make, just add your favorite toppings like butter, chives, sour cream, salt and pepper.Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
  • Hot Dogs in buns cooked in the air fryerEasy Air Fryer Hot Dogs
  • Celery stuffed with cream cheese, bacon, herbs and cheddar cheese are outrageously good! Served as an appetizer or snack, this is a recipe that's sure to become a favorite at parties, BBQs and family gatherings.Outrageously Good Stuffed Celery
  • Warm dip made with spinach and artichokes.Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip
  • Ripe tomatoes and mozzarella pearls make the Best Caprese Pasta Salad.Best Caprese Pasta Salad (Fresh and Easy)
Donya with A Southern Soul

Meet A Southern Soul

Hey, there! I’m Donya and welcome to A Southern Soul. I love to cook and entertain with easy to make recipes and simple ideas that make people feel special. Read More

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recipes by Category

  • Air Fryer
  • Appetizers
  • Beverages
  • Bread
  • Breakfast
  • Comfort Food
  • Crockpot/Slow Cooker
  • Desserts
  • Grilling
  • How To
  • Main Dish
  • Meal Planning
  • Party Food
  • Round Ups
  • Salads
  • Side Dish
  • Snacks
  • Soups & Stews
  • Southern Classics
  • All Recipes

© 2023 · A Southern Soul · Cookie Policy · Privacy Policy