July 3, 2009

Easy Cheese Danish

This is a quick and easy recipe for cheese danish that my family simply adores. Honestly, I don't know where the recipe comes from originally, since my Mother and Grandmother both made this for as long as I can remember. Despite being so easy to make, it's satisfying and wonderful for a quick weekend breakfast treat. We love it best still warm from the oven, but it will keep well for a couple of days if it's well covered and placed in the refrigerator. It also reheats well in the microwave for a few seconds. Try this simple recipe for your own family one of these days and see if they don't rave about it too!



Ingredients:
2 cans ready to use refrigerated crescent rolls
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 egg white

Glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method:
Preheat oven to 350* degrees and grease a 13X9-inch baking pan. Lay a pack of crescent rolls in the pan and pinch the openings together. Beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and egg together until smooth. Spread the mixture over the crescent rolls evenly and then lay the second pack of crescent rolls on top of the cheese mixture and brush with egg white. Bake for 35-45 minutes until the top is golden brown. Top with glaze after cooling for 20 minutes.

Kitchen Notes:
I have made this danish using low fat cream cheese and splenda (sugar substitute) and it was delicious! Also, the amount of filling the original recipe calls for makes a VERY heavily filled danish. I have halved the filling using 1 package of cream cheese, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1 whole egg, and a 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and it was still very good. If you use the half filling method, bake for closer to 30-35 minutes.


Cooked up by at 9:41 AM
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146 comments:

  1. I love how quick and simple this recipe is. Going to the store this afternoom and will have to get some crescent rolls. Heading out on vacation tomorrow morning and this will be a fun breakfast treat for the road.

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  2. That is the kind of recipe easy and quick…looks perfect for breakfast with this yummmmmy combo savory–sweet :)

    Cheers!

    Gera

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  3. I would love to have a slice of that danish! Also, happy to see that you can use lighter ingredients with good results!

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  4. Most people don;t have time for something complicated. This recipe is simple and sounds delicious. I'm going to try this one.

    -Allison Jae

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  5. I love a good cheese danish and I'm thinking that the lower fat and splenda might encourage me to eat twice as many ; )

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  6. Love this Danish recipe! I absolutley love cheese danishes but never make them. Now maybe I will!

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  7. Easy & Delicious!! Love it!

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  8. mmmm I love cheese danishes. This looks super easy to make. I might just have to attempt it myself.

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  9. Thanks for giving the lighter version. This looks delicious!

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  10. Megan.. have a great time on your vacation! I hope you enjoy this as much as we do :) Thanks!

    Gera @ SweetsFood... thank you so much :)

    Patsyk ... thanks! The lighter style is really good... I couldn't tell it was lower in sugar and fat even :)

    Anonymous..... thank you Allison :)

    kellypea ... thank you so much :)

    Judy@nofearentertaining... this one is as simple as it could get, for sure... and still good! thank you Judy :)

    HoneyB ... thanks so much honey!

    judyfoodie... let me know how you like it :) thanks!

    Barbara Bakes... thank you! :)

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  11. That's a great & delicious take on Danish. My fave pastry!!

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  12. ooh, delicious! what about adding some fresh fruit?

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  15. Oh. My. Gawd! I know what I'm making this weekend!

    +Jessie

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  16. Deeba @Passionate About Baking... thank you :)

    Olga ... I haven't tried it, but I would think it would be great :)

    hungrynez... thanks! :)

    The Food Hunter... thanks :)

    The Hungry Mouse .... so yummy... and easy! Thank you :)

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  17. It's a good thing I'm a runner... 'Cause that means I can make this danish as many times as my little tummy wants it! :)

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  18. Michelle.. LOL you crack me up :) thank you!

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  19. Im saving this recipe since hubby loves them. Thanks Jo!

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  22. Gail... thank you!

    Angie... thanks!

    Farina... hope he enjoys it! Thanks :)

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  23. This was delicious and easy to make, Thank you so much for the recipe! :)

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  24. This is an awesome recipe! Did this for an american heart association bake sale, sold like crazy! Very tasty & simple

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  25. Someone mentioned adding fresh fruit. I was thinking Polaner All Fruit spread or something similar. This sounds spectacular. Wish I had some cream cheese in the house right now.

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  26. Ali, Lord, SJerZGirl.... thanks!

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  27. Posted your great blog once I found it on Pinterst renamed as Christmas Cheese Danish! LOL...someone renamed it for you! Can't wait to make it tomorrow. Wanted to give you a shout out!

    Many thanks,

    Alise
    @ www.theranchkitchen.blogspot.com

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  28. Can you make the night b4 and just bake in the am??

    I think im adding cherry preserves to mine

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  29. Sure! You can assemble ahead of time and bake later.... No problem!

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  30. Just made it for Christmas breakfast! It was delish, butI definitely would've cut the filling recipe in half. I added cherry pie filling to it too, and after 45 minutes it was still pretty runny in the middle. I will make it again though, the family loved it!

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  31. Hi!
    Going to make it tomorrow! When you halved the recipe, do you still add the egg white? looks so yummy!

    Thanks

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  32. Dana...
    if you're going to half the fillIng, what I do is beat the egg first in a separate bowl and simply eyeball dividing the beaten egg into two parts... Using only 1/2 of it. The egg white us used as a wash for the top of the pastry so you'll still want to use that :)

    Thanks for the question and I hope you enjoy it!

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  33. I have also added cherry pie filling to the top of the cheese itself. Very good

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  34. I made it this morning it made a lot of cheese filling next time I would use one cream cheese & more crust our make another dish Loved it!!!!

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  35. This will be my "comfort food" dinner tonight, thank you! I've had this in my pinterest gallery just waiting and can't wait to try it!

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  36. Kristy.... i hope you enjoy :) thanks for the comment!

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  37. For the lighter version, did you sub all the sugar with Splenda? This looks DELICIOUS! Can't wait to try it!

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    1. I have used all splenda or truvia and it worked great! :)

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  38. Can't wait to try it for a morning meeting tomorrow. Thank you!

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  39. I made a half recipe and used only 4 oz of no-fat creme cheese and subbed out all the sugar for splenda and it turned out great! I didn't figure out the calorie content, but it had to be low since nofat creme cheese only has 30 calories per oz and I only used 4 oz. I felt good about using this lower fat, no sugar recipe for my hubby who has diabetes. Now I can just count the cheese as a dairy protein and it's a non guilt treat. Often when I try to swap out low fat/no sugar in recipes it doesn't taste very good. Thank you so much! I'll make this again soon......tomorrow?

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    1. I am so glad you liked it! I have used spenda and truvia and thought it was just as good as sugar but I've never tried no fat cream cheese... thanks for the suggestion! :)

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  40. I just made it ...it's baking in the oven!! Can't wait :)

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    1. Please let me know how you like it! :)

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  41. Made this today for our bed & breakfast guests and it was a HUGE HIT. I would definitely cut the filling in half; it was a lot but so yummy, yummy. I actually cut it in the shape of the original crescent, which my guests did not have a problem with. To plate the remaining (I couldn't believe I had left overs) danish on a cake stand for guests to eat throughout the day, I cut the crescent triangles in half. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!

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    1. So glad they enjoyed... and thank you for stopping by!

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  42. In your grandmother's original recipe was it canned crescent dough, or is there a dough recipe? If I ever find myself out of crescents on the weekend I'd love to still be able to make this without running to the store.

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    1. If she ever made it with a homemade dough, I don't recall it... sorry. I'm sure you could make your own sweet pastry dough and use it though! :)

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  43. I've been making this forever. Originally found it on the Pillsbury site. You can use one can of crescents as well, half the filling, spread it down the middle and make one inch cuts down the side of the dough and fold them over the filling making a sort of braid. I usually assemble it all on some parchment and slip it onto a cookie sheet to bake. It's a quick way to turn this fancy schmancy when you need to impress :)

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    1. Nice idea! Thanks for sharing :)

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  44. I dont there are many things that a lemon cant improve...so I included the zest of one meyer lemon in the cheese filling and the another in the glaze....mmmm mmmm. This one is a keeper.

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    1. GREAT idea! Thanks for sharing it with us :)

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  45. thank you for sharing this! i can't wait to make it ;)

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  46. I made this for Easter brunch and it was delicious. I cut the filling in half based on the comments and really wish I hadn't. When I make it again, I'll use way more filling. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I am so glad you enjoyed it... thanks so much for letting me know :)

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  47. This looks so good. I made it this morning since the kids were out of school. I must say I messed up, I got distracted and ended up putting the egg whites into the cream cheese batter. I halfed the filling and couldn't figure out why it was so runny! I made a mess :) It spread itself right off my bottom layer of dough. I baked it anyway, and happy to say even though the filling was very thin, my kids enjoyed anyways. Next time I will pay attention, and use the full filling recipe. I was wondering though, what should the consistancy of the filling look like after mixing? I wasn't sure how lumpy ( if at all) it should be. Thanks so much!

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    1. I am so glad you enjoyed it despite the mix up :) the filling should be fairly smooth and lump free. I've found the best method is to use an electric hand mixer if you have one. Thanks so much for stopping by and letting me know what you thought :)

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  48. Thanks for sharing this , I am going to make it. hope can give my family suprise~~

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  49. I make something similar, but use almond extract instead of vanilla. Use it in the filling as well as the glaze. So good!

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    1. Almond extract is yummy too :) Thanks!

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  50. Just put mine into the oven! Can't wait to taste it!

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  51. Like the idea of almond flavoring too. Top it off with a few sliverd almonds too. MMMMMM

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  52. I used dental floss to cut the rolls of crescent dough into small circles about a 1/4 inch thick (I got 20/roll). I then made an indention in each and filled with the cream cheese mix and baked at 350 for 15 minutes. It made delicious mini Danishes!

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    1. Wonderful idea Tracy... thanks for sharing!

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  53. We have been enjoying this danish for a long time!!! It is wonderful to make for church dinners and finger food socials!!

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  54. Amazing! I'm thinking all it needs is my lemon glaze....yumm

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  55. Baking in the oven now. I used almond extract instead of vanilla, can't wait to eat it! Sandy

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  56. Making this with vanilla pudding filling and chocolate glaze for a boston cream danish. We'll see how it turns out. Little worried about how the pudding is going to set up.

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    1. I hope it went well! Sounds delicious!

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  57. Made this morning. Very good....I would cut the cream cheese to one package and sugar down to 1/3 cup.....

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    1. I did something similar Donna... the original recipe does have a LOT of filling :)

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  58. Just made these tonight for a work shower ..they were awesome right outta oven hope they are just as good tomorrow!

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  59. Just pulled out of the oven and waiting to put the glaze on. My husband loves cheese danish so I hope this will become a family favorite too! Thanks for the recipe Sherri Jo!

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  60. Hi there! Just wondering if this can be made the night before and left in the fridge to bake the next morning? What do you think?

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    1. Yes! I have done that many times and it works out GREAT!

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  61. Have you ever made individual danish in cupcake pan?
    Stephanie

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    1. I have yes :) Just decrease the baking time. I believe mine baked for about 1/2 the time the original recipe called for :)

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  62. OMGoodness Kitchen Girl! Eating this now with my hubby ...... he is moaning as he eats it lol Thank you for such an easy dessert that taste like you've been in the kitchen all day!-

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  63. Great recipe! Just made it , it was ready in less then 30 minutes! Thank you !

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  64. Oh my gosh!!!! I have 16 kids and this is an awesome and quick breakfast or dessert idea. My daughter in law made some with Cherry pie filling. So good!!! I can't wait to make some with apple pie filling. Thank you for this recipe

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  65. Just made this and it's delish! However, the icing recipe calls for 2 TBS of milk....this does not work...I believe you meant 2 tsp. That would be my only correction to this recipe..otherwise this is wonderful! thank you for sharing!! :)

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    1. Interesting that it didn't work for you as written... It's always worked for me, with the many times I've made it. The glaze is supposed to be quite thin. Sorry it was an issue for you!

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  66. I prepared this last night and popped it in the oven this am for breakfast. It was AWESOME!

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    1. Thank you for letting me know! I am so glad you enjoyed it!

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    2. I was wondering if you could make it the night before. I was afraid the crescent roll dough would get mushy if out of the can overnight.

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  67. Could you substitute the egg??!!!!!

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    1. I've never done it myself but I'd think you could use an egg substitute if you needed to :O)

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  68. This recipe is delicious! I have made it several times now for my husband and he loves it! I have been looking for quite some time for a SIMPLE cream cheese danish recipe since it is his favorite. So much better than premade, store bought versions. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you for coming by and letting me know :)

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  70. Do you think this could be halved and put in a smaller dish like 8x8 pan? I would love to make this, but not sure I want as much as a 9x3 will make!

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  71. Found your recipe via Pinterest link. Turned out very yummy and picky Daughter LOVED it! (Made her right it on the recipe that she liked it!) Will be making again. Thanks for sharing! Anna

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  72. Has anyone ever added a little bit of cinnamon to add a little flavor?

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  73. I made this today for Christmas breakfast. I actually prepared it last night and let it refrigerate until this morning. Worked great...so easy! I added a frozen berry mixture of raspberries, blueberries and blackberries (about 2-3 handfuls) and it was awesome!

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  74. Yum! thanks for the tip on halving the filling it was perfect. The cheap brand cresents didn't fill the pan well, but worked fine for the top. The name brand 'big and flaky' filled the pan perfectly. Made up the filling and glaze the night before, in the morning just had to preheat the oven and assemble.

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  75. I made this today as part of our Christmas breakfast...it was excellent! I made it as written and I wouldn't change a thing. It's perfect! My mom requested the recipe.
    Linda R.

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  76. Very yummy! I made it without the glaze and it was still very sweet. I might decrease the amount of sugar next time, but definitely going to make it again!

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  77. I make this all of the time but I substitute the vanilla for almond extract and add a little cinnamon to the glaze mixture. Delish.

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  78. I just visited your post, from facebook. I like the look of this recipe. I want to try it, but the lower fat version. I'm on the Weight Watcher program, at this time, so I would like to put the recipe into my e tools and see just how many points for each piece. I love cheese danish but have avoided them for sereral months, due to the high fat content. If this works out well, I will definately try making it.

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  79. I found your post a few weeks ago via Pintrest and I love this receipe! I made it for New Year's Day breakfast. I used cresent sheets and 1 package of 1/3 less fat and 1 package of fat free cream cheese. I swirled in a little blackberry jam before I added the top. It was amazing! My daughter told me to hurry up and make more, before we run out! Thank you so much!

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  80. D-E-L-I-O-U-S! Saw it, baked it, ate it and got alot of I love you's from my boys! :o)

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    1. Do u separate rolls and place each roll in pan or place it in pan how its packaged??

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    2. I used it as packaged, stretching it a bit if needed to fit the pan. You will notice seams (perforations)that should be pinched closed :)

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  81. Sooooo yummy. I have always liked Danish but I always wished it had more filling. I used the original recipe and now I LOVE Danish. We ate ours with fresh raspberries which just made it more delicious.

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  82. Just found this on pinterest...Wow, this looks yummy! Can't wait to try it.
    Love recipes with regular ingredients.
    Thanks!

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  83. making this tonite for breakfast tomorrow morning. can hardly wait to try it. sounds so good!

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  84. This was really good! I added some lemon zest to the cream cheese, and some blueberries on top of the cream cheese layer it turn out delicious!

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  85. I thought this recipe was great! very good my family loved it. I'm making it again for Valentines day, this time gonna add cherry pie filling. yum!!

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  86. I made this twice it was delicious however the middle never cooks as well as the edges I even cut down on the cream cheese

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  87. How many servings does this make?

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  88. Is there any way to find out the nutritional information? I'm on Weight Watchers and would like to figure out the point value for these. I can figure it out if I knew how many servings the recipe makes.

    Thank you for sharing!! I can't wait to try them!!!

    Susan -
    Sgmfreebie@yahoo.com

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  89. Does it need to be refrigerated after baking? I just made this for morning & not sure if it can sit out all night.

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  90. I've been baking all my life and this looks so good. I was thinking to dress it up for a holiday, you could top the glaze with some chopped nuts and pieces or maraschino cherries.

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  91. when I went to buy the crescent rolls today I found they had undivided crescents so you don't have to pinch the openings together

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  92. Just awesome! Make it for the family and they loved it!

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  93. I will NEVER purchase another store bought danish again! Wonderful recipe!

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  94. Substituting with the frozen puff pastry instead of the crescent rolls.

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  95. Oh goodness...This is the recipe for the danish my friend brought us when I had surgery. It was sooooo good. Thanks for sharing I WILL be making it.

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  96. I had to giggle when I read your introduction to this recipe! You must be awfully young (& that could mean lots of things since I am 79!) Your comment was that your Mother & Grandmother had made this all your life! Canned biscuits, crescent rolls etc., haven't been on the market too many years! Anyway, I'm sure glad we have them now, & it's about time to make these again! I too, have been doing it for years, but around here we call it Sopapilla Cheesecake! Thanks for the beautiful work on here!

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  97. Making this tomorrow for sure. Sounds AMAZING!!! Thanks for sharing.

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  98. I've made the exact same thing for a while now, only with sugar/cinnamon sprinkled on top. In my opinion, the powdered sugar glaze is much too sweet...tongue curling so. I will stick to my sugar/cinnamon.

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  99. I would like to know how much sugar substitute would you use for this recipe? I am dieting and would love to try this but I want too make the low fat version.

    Thank you for the great recipe....

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  100. 1cup splenda for sugar
    1/2 cup splenda for powder sugar
    I use splenda in replace of sugar all the time in recipes and never had a problem.

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    1. Thank you so much for the information. I'm looking forward to making this and taking this on our camping trips. What a surprise it will be....
      Thank you again!!!

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  101. I made this on Sunday and instead of putting the glaze on the top, I used blueberry/cherry preserves. It was AMAZING!!! Next time, I am going to substitute the regular cream cheese and use the chocolate cream cheese.........YUMMMY! Thanks for the recipe - it sure was a hit in my house ♥

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  102. I bet the flavored cream cheeses that they have now would be great instead of just plain cream cheese!

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  103. I am a bit dense I guess. I don't know what "lay the crescent rolls in the pan and pinch the ends together" actually means. I pic would have been great. But I seem to be the only one who doesn't understand it!

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  104. Pinch the crescent rolls together .. They come cut in triangles from the can .. Prevents dough from separating

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  105. I love this recipe! It's quick and easy n its great for a Sunday brunch! First time I made this, it was so heavenly! I'm going to try this with 1/3 less fat cream cheese n see if it makes any difference. :)

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