Mornings don’t always offer the luxury of time—but with this Easy Breakfast Cheese Danish, you can still bring a taste of the bakery to your breakfast table with minimal effort. Made from refrigerated crescent rolls and a rich, sweetened cream cheese filling, this dish is the definition of fast, fuss-free indulgence.

This danish is soft, buttery, creamy, and lightly sweet, finished with a simple vanilla glaze. It’s perfect for weekend brunch, holiday mornings, potlucks, or even a last-minute dessert. The best part? No rolling pins, yeast, or special equipment required.

🌟 Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients: All readily available at most grocery stores.
Quick Prep: Just 10–15 minutes of hands-on time.
Crowd-Pleaser: Great for feeding a group.
Bakery-Quality Results: Buttery layers, creamy center, and a sweet glaze.
Tried and True: This shortcut danish is a trusted favorite in many households and brunch spreads.

🧾 Ingredient Breakdown

Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need and how each ingredient contributes:

🥐 Refrigerated Crescent Rolls (2 cans)

These form the flaky, buttery crust of your danish without the work of homemade pastry. Each pack serves as a top or bottom layer.

Tip: Use the “sheet” version of crescent rolls if available, to avoid sealing seams—but regular rolls work just fine with a quick pinch.

🧀 Cream Cheese (2 packages, 8 oz each)

Creamy, tangy, and rich, this is the base of the filling. Use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture and flavor.

🍬 Sugar (1 cup)

Sweetens the filling and enhances the tanginess of the cream cheese.

🍦 Vanilla Extract (1 tsp in filling + ½ tsp in glaze)

Brings warmth and classic flavor to both the filling and the glaze.

🥚 Eggs (1 whole egg + 1 egg white)

1 egg: Mixed into the filling for richness and binding.
1 egg white: Brushed over the top for that bakery-style glossy golden finish.

✨ For the Glaze:

Powdered Sugar (½ cup): Gives the glaze a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Milk (2 tbsp): Thins the glaze to the perfect drizzle.
Vanilla Extract (½ tsp): Adds sweet aroma and flavor.

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare the Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish generously to prevent sticking.

2. Create the Base Layer

Unroll one can of crescent rolls and press it into the bottom of the baking dish. Pinch the seams together to form a solid sheet of dough.

Pro Tip: If seams keep popping open, a quick roll with a rolling pin can help smooth things out.

3. Mix the Filling

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat:

2 packages cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 whole egg

Beat until the mixture is smooth, fluffy, and lump-free—this takes about 2–3 minutes on medium speed.

4. Assemble the Danish

Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the base layer of crescent dough. Then, unroll the second can of crescent rolls and gently lay it on top of the filling. Again, pinch the seams and edges to close them up.

5. Brush with Egg White

Brush the surface with one egg white. This gives the finished danish a beautiful golden, shiny top.

6. Bake

Place in the oven and bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.

Oven Tip: All ovens vary. Begin checking at the 35-minute mark, and continue baking until the top is evenly golden.

7. Cool and Glaze

Let the danish cool for 20 minutes before adding the glaze. This prevents the glaze from melting completely and allows it to sit nicely on top.

Mix together:

½ cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Drizzle over the cooled danish using a spoon or piping bag. Slice and serve!

🍽 Serving Ideas

This Easy Breakfast Cheese Danish is extremely versatile. Here are some ways to enjoy it:

Warm, with coffee or tea
Chilled from the fridge for a cheesecake-like treat
Cut into small squares for brunch or baby showers
Top with berries or fruit compote for a colorful, fresh twist

🔁 Variations and Add-Ins

Feel like getting creative? Try these proven variations:

Fruit Swirl: Drop teaspoons of fruit preserves (strawberry, blueberry, raspberry) over the cream cheese layer before adding the top crust.
Cinnamon Sugar: Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the egg-washed top before baking for a snickerdoodle-style twist.
Almond: Add ½ tsp almond extract to the filling and sprinkle sliced almonds on top.
Lemon Glaze: Use lemon juice instead of milk in the glaze for brightness.

❄️ Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or enjoy cold.
Freezing: You can freeze the fully baked danish. Cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge and glaze before serving.

📝 Final Thoughts

There’s something special about serving warm, freshly baked pastries—and this Easy Breakfast Cheese Danish gives you that homemade feel with a shortcut method that never fails. It’s creamy, flaky, sweet, and satisfying, whether you’re feeding guests or just treating yourself.

Perfect for holidays, brunches, or make-ahead breakfast treats, this danish looks as good as it tastes—and it might just earn a permanent spot in your breakfast rotation.