This easy Danish recipe uses crescent roll dough with a cinnamon apple and cream cheese filling for a warm, comforting breakfast or brunch treat.

Apple Cinnamon Cream Cheese Danish

There’s nothing like the scent of cinnamon and apples filling the kitchen on a cool morning. These apple cinnamon cream cheese danishes are a quick, reliable way to capture that cozy fall feeling using store-bought crescent roll dough. The soft, tangy cream cheese center combined with spiced apples makes a small pastry that feels special without a lot of fuss.

With just ten minutes of hands-on prep and about a dozen minutes in the oven, these danishes are perfect for weekend brunches, holiday mornings, or a quick weekday treat to brighten the start of the day. The recipe yields eight individual danishes and can be easily doubled.

Quick Facts

• Servings: 8 danishes
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 12 minutes
• Total time: 22 minutes

Ingredients

• ½ cup cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon, divided
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 1/8 tsp allspice
• 1 can (8 oz / 8-count) crescent roll dough
• 1 cup diced apples (about 1 medium apple)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese with the brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice until smooth and well combined.
3. Unroll the crescent dough and press the perforations together to form a single sheet. Slice the dough into 8 equal squares.
4. Place a spoonful of the cinnamon cream cheese mixture in the center of each square.
5. In a separate bowl, toss the diced apples with the remaining 1 teaspoon of cinnamon so the apples are evenly coated.
6. Divide the spiced apples evenly among the squares, placing them on top of the cream cheese.
7. Fold the corners of each square toward the center to form a simple danish shape, leaving some of the filling visible.
8. Arrange the pastries on a baking sheet or stone lined with parchment paper.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 12–14 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
10. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving. These are best enjoyed warm.

Tips for Success

• Use a firm, slightly tart apple (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) if you want the apple chunks to hold texture after baking. Softer varieties will cook down more quickly.
• Dice the apples evenly so each danish gets similar amounts and bakes consistently.
• If you prefer a sweeter finish, drizzle a simple glaze of powdered sugar mixed with a little milk or lemon juice over the cooled danishes.
• For a more bakery-style look, brush the pastry edges with a lightly beaten egg before baking to enhance browning.
• Make these ahead: prepare danishes and refrigerate for up to a day before baking, adding a couple of extra minutes to bake from chilled.

Variations

• Blueberry or mixed berry filling: substitute the apples for fresh or thawed frozen berries tossed with a teaspoon of sugar.
• Pear & cardamom: swap apples for diced pears and replace some spices with a pinch of ground cardamom for a different autumn profile.
• Nut crunch: add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts on top before baking for added texture.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover danishes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–7 minutes, or until warmed through and the pastry regains some crispness. Microwaving will warm them faster but may soften the pastry.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: 169 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg
• Sodium: 269 mg
• Sugar: 7 g

These apple cinnamon cream cheese danishes are an easy way to add a homemade touch to morning meals without hours of work. They pair beautifully with coffee or tea and make a welcoming addition to holiday breakfast tables or casual brunches. Enjoy!