Short cut cream cheese danish with crescent rolls is an easy breakfast option using refrigerated crescent rolls. Be sure to bake them the night before so that they are cooled and set up just in time for breakfast.

hort cut cream cheese danish with crescent rolls is an easy breakfast option using refrigerated crescent rolls. Be sure to bake them the night before so that they are cooled and set up just in time for breakfast.

Easy Cream Cheese Danish Recipe

I am so excited about these Cream Cheese Gobblers (that’s what these are called in my North Carolina Elks Cook Book). What is a cream cheese gobbler?

Imagine this.

Two layers of buttery crescent dough. One center layer of sweetened cream cheese. Five happy family members (in my house that is!)

These might just turn up on my holiday menu for breakfast or brunch since they truly need to be made ahead. The cream cheese filling needs completely chilled and set up before cutting. I love this since putting together a whole breakfast when the kids are STARVING can be extra stressful.

Easy Cream Cheese Danish

Do you know what else I love about these crescent roll Danishes?

They are completely rustic at first, but it’s no big deal. Why? The top is sprinkled with brown sugar and hides any lumps or bumps of the top layer of crescent dough, and the outside edges get trimmed off to make perfect (or imperfect in my case) rectangles, squares or bite-sized pieces.

So let’s recap…

Shortcut recipe

Family Favorite

Made ahead (one night or more)

Breakfast, brunch or dessert

Serves a crowd

Need I say more?

How long does it take to soften cream cheese?

It can take up to one hour to soften cream cheese at room temperature. To speed up the process, cut the cream cheese into smaller cubes before setting out on the counter.

Does a cream cheese danish need to be refrigerated?

Yes, cream cheese is still a perishable item even after baking. Be safe, and store it in the refrigerator. Also, do not let it sit on the counter for more than four hours. If this happens, it’s best to dispose of the danish to avoid getting a foodborne illness.

Ingredient List

Refrigerated Crescent Rolls
Cream Cheese, softened
Granulated Sugar
Vanilla Extract
Large Egg (yolk only)
Brown Sugar

How to Make Cream Cheese Danish with Crescent Rolls

Step by Step Instructions

On a cookie sheet, roll out one sheet of crescent rolls. Press (or pinch) together the seams so that it makes one large rectangle.
In a large bowl, cream together softened cream cheese, white sugar and vanilla until smooth and lump free using a stand mixer or hand mixer.
Spread over the rectangle crescent dough, spreading almost to the edge.
Roll out the second crescent roll dough over the top, pinching the seams together to form a solid rectangle.
Use a fork to seal the outside edges.
Beat egg yolk, and brush egg wash over top; sprinkle with brown sugar.
Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Let cool on the counter completely. Then, refrigerate overnight before cutting.
Cut the crescent roll cream cheese pastries into your desired shapes – squares or rectangles or bite-sized pieces. A pizza cutter works great for this step.

Storage Instructions

Let leftovers cool. Transfer to an airtight container, and store in the fridge.

For the full instructions and ingredient list for cream cheese squares, scroll to the bottom of this post.

Recipe Variations

Add a couple tablespoons of your favorite preserves such as blueberry, strawberry, raspberries, etc to the cream cheese mixture.
Lemon zest and fresh lemon juice would also be a tasty addition.
Drizzle a simple powdered sugar glaze over top.
Swap out powdered sugar for white sugar.

Recipe FAQs

Here’s another great shortcut. Start with crescent dough sheets instead of rolls. This will save you the steps of pinching together the seams of the rolls to form a rectangular sheet. Crescent roll sheets can be found at many larger chain supermarkets.
Be sure to start with softened cream cheese. This prevents a lumpy filling.
Don’t get caught up in a asymmetrical rectangular or a uneven appearance. Before serving, you’ll cut off the sides to make pretty rectangles (or squares), and you’ll sprinkle the top with brown sugar.
Let these cream cheese squares cool completely before refrigerating. It’s best to refrigerate overnight before cutting into your desired shapes.

Do you have to refrigerate cream cheese pastries?

Yes, cream cheese pastries should be refrigerated to ensure food safety. This is especially important after baking, and they should not be left at room temperature for more than four hours to prevent the risk of foodborne illness.

How long can cream cheese stay unrefrigerated?

Cream cheese should not stay unrefrigerated for more than two hours, and it is best to be cautious and not leave it out for longer than that to avoid any risk of spoilage or foodborne illness.

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