This recipe for Easy Cheese Danish really fits the bill and is both quick and easy and starts with a can (or two) of crescent rolls or crescent rounds. The cheese filling is quick and simple to make and you can leave them as plain cheese or top them with a pie filling, here we've used cherry. Cinnamon apples and fresh berries are other family favorites as well.
fresh berries, cherry pie filling or cinnamon apples (optional) to top pastries
For the Icing
1/4cuppowdered sugar
1-2tbspwater
Instructions
In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla and set aside.
Remove crescent dough from packaging. If using individual rolls, do not unroll them. Leave the dough in a log and the with a sharp knife, cut the dough into 8 equal sections. Each will be about 3/4 inch thick. To do this easily, make the first cut in the center of the log. Then make a second cut in the half of the piece of the left. Do the same for the piece on the right. Now cut each of those halves again in half and you will end up with 8 relatively equal pieces of dough. Place dough sections on a parchment lined or lightly greased baking sheet. Flatten each round out a bit with your fingers making a well in the center into which you will place the cream cheese mix.
Place 1 rounded tablespoon of cream cheese onto each dough section. You will have just enough to cover all 8 with little to none left over. Next, add your berry topping, if desired.
Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 14-17 minutes, or until dough is golden brown.
Meanwhile, as the danishes bake, prepare the icing by combining the powdered sugar and water until completely smooth. I like mine a little thicker than runny. Either put into a baggie to pipe the icing or drizzle with a spoon over the tops of the danishes.