An easy last-minute Christmas Breakfast Recipe to serve is this delicious Christmas tree cream cheese danish. Let me show you how easy this recipe is to put together with items you probably already have in your pantry.
All you need for this Christmas Tree Danish recipe is two cans of crescents rolls, cream cheese, cherry pie filling and a little powdered sugar to make the sweet glaze on top.
This is the same basic crescent roll recipe I use for the following different shaped danish recipes:
- Candy Cane Cream Cheese Danish - made with crescent roll sheet pastry and shaped into a candy cane!
- Easter Egg Cream Cheese Danish - made in the shape of an Easter egg.
- Easy Cream Cheese Danish Recipe
Easy Last Minute Breakfast Recipe for Christmas Morning
I know we all try to have the perfect Christmas morning with an amazing breakfast all laid out on a beautifully set table with really cute Christmas plates. But in reality most Christmas mornings are a rush and sometimes not as perfect as social media makes you think it is.
Which is why I love this recipe. I know what it's like to not have the perfect "story-book" Christmas morning. Yes, I have fed my family cereal with milk and even frozen waffles on Christmas morning.
But not anymore. Not since I found this recipe. I know if you try this recipe just one time, it will soon become a new tradition for your family every year.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
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- Parchment Baking Sheets
- Tart tamper - this helps to create the indentation in the crescent roll so the filling doesn't overflow while baking.
- Large baking sheet with flat edge - using a flat-edge baking sheet helps to transfer the baked Christmas Tree Danish to a serving tray.
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Main Ingredients Needed
Exact measurements are listed below in the recipe card. Make sure you scroll down to print and save the recipe for later!
For the Danish:
- Refrigerated crescent rolls
- Cream cheese; softened
- 1 can of cherry pie filling - you will not use the whole can.
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
For the Glaze:
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1 | Slice the Crescent Rolls
- Open the packages of crescent rolls, but do not separate them.
- With a serrated knife, slice each "roll" into 11 equal pieces.
- Using your thumb, tart tamper or the back of a spoon, gently indent the middle of each circle so there is a space for the cream cheese to be placed inside.
Quick Tip: Make sure you make the indentation deep enough so the cream cheese and cherry pie filling do not overflow. I like using my tart tamper to get the perfect size "hole" for the filling.
Step 2 | Form the Christmas Danish Pastry
- I find the best way is to start at the top with one crescent roll circle and then work my way down increasing the number of crescent roll circles as you go.
- Row one will have one circle, row two will have two circles and so on until you run out of crescent roll circles.
- Don't forget to have one single crescent roll circle at the bottom for the stem of the tree.
Step 3 | Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla.
- Place a small spoonful of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each crescent circle.
- Then place a small spoonful of the cherry pie filling on top.
- Please note, you will not use all the cherry pie filling, but this freezes well.
Step 4 | Baking Instructions
- Bake the danish in a preheated 350° F oven for 18 - 20 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden brown.
Step 5 | How to Add the Glaze
- Allow the Christmas Tree Cream Cheese Danish to cool while you prepare the glaze.
- Combine the powdered sugar and milk together in a small bowl.
- Drizzle the glaze on top of the slightly cooled danish and serve immediately.
Make Ahead Tips
- You can make the cream cheese filling the night before. Store the filling in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Remove the container about 30 minutes before assembling.
- Make sure you make an indentation in the center of each crescent circle. Otherwise, the filling will spill over while the danish bake.
- Using parchment paper really helps to lift the danish off the baking sheet when it's baked and onto a serving platter.
Ready for more Christmas Tree Recipe Ideas:
- Christmas Tree Puff Pastry Appetizer
- And if you want another GREAT Christmas breakfast recipe, check out my Candy Cane Cream Cheese Danish.
- Christmas Tree Cheese Board
- Semi-Homemade Thin Mint Cookies - okay, not in the shape of a Christmas tree, but you could arrange the cookies in a tree shape on a platter!
Christmas Tree Cream Cheese Danish
An easy last-minute recipe to serve for breakfast on Christmas morning. This makes a beautiful presentation to any brunch buffet you're serving.
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Danish
- 2 cans of refrigerated crescent rolls.
- 8 ounces cream cheese; softened
- 1 can of cherry pie filling
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Ingredients for the Glaze:
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tsp. milk
Instructions
- Combine the glaze ingredients together until smooth and set aside until the danish is baked and cooled.
- Open the packages of crescent rolls, but do not separate them.
- Using a serrated knife, slice each "roll" into 11 equal pieces so you have a total of 22 round circles.
- Arrange the crescent circles into the shape of a Christmas tree.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla.
- Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, gently indent the middle of each circle so there is a space for the cream cheese to be placed inside.
- Place a small spoonful of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each crescent circle.
- Then place a small spoonful of the cherry pie filling on top. You will not use all the cherry pie filling.
- Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 18 - 20 minutes.
- Let cool slightly before drizzling with the glaze.
Notes
I like to heat the icing up in the microwave before drizzling on top of the Danish.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
22Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 238Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 168mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 1gSugar: 14gProtein: 3g
The nutrition information is calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you, please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator.
This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2015 with new photos and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
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Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
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What would happen if you spread the cream cheese on the triangle then rolled them up. I’m sure you have tried everything, will it just melt away? Haven’t tried them yet sounds yummy
Thank you
B
I think it would work fine, but it wouldn't be in this cute Christmas tree shape. Thank you for visiting!
Hi! This is super pretty and looks delicious! I’ve had the one shaped in the candy cane. My question is how big is this? Do you need a specific board to put it on or does fit in a large cookie sheet when baking?
Yes, try to use one of the larger type cookie sheets that has a flat edge. You can serve it directly from that as well.
This looks so tasty. And I love how easy it is!
If I want to substitute the cherry with raspberry- what raspberry “thing” should I buy? Raspberry preserves or fresh? Thank you!
Hi Stephanie, you should substitute with another fruit pie filling. I have only used pie filling in this recipe, never fresh fruit. Thanks for visiting.
Could I make these the night before?
I wouldn't recommend making them the night before. What you could do is prepare the cream cheese mixture the night before. I do that all the time! Thanks for visiting.
I'm not a big fan of crescent rolls so could you make these with puff pastry?
Yes, you could use puff pastry in this recipe. You would need to cut out circle shapes using a round biscuit cutter. I've never tried using puff pastry dough, so I would love if you could let me know how they turn out for you. Thank you for visiting Misty.
I accidentally bought pie crusts instead of crescents 😰 do you think I could use that instead? Oops
I don't think pie crust dough would work in place of crescent rolls. 🙁 Can you run back out to the grocery store? You still have time!
would blueberry be good with this
Of course!
Yes, with a lemon glaze!
Besides making into a tree, this is also pretty cool made into a wreath form
Great idea too!
I made this for Christmas Eve brunch. Presentation was impressive and taste to match. A hit that will definitely be repeated in years to come!!
Can you use strawberry preserves instead of cherry pie filling?
These are in the oven now for a quick festive snack for boy scouts ! Look super cute and yummy ! Thank you very much for sharing this recipe.... Delilah ��
Hey, Lois! Just wanted to let you know that we loved your Christmas Tree Danish so much when you shared it at the #HomeMattersParty last week, we've HIGHLIGHTED it THIS WEEK! Hope you can check it out when you get a sec. Happy Friday!!!
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai / Home Matters Linky Party
Such a great idea!!! Looks so simple, thanks for sharing 🙂
Sarah Bell
Trendy & Tidy
Hi Lois,
These really look yummy. I make a tree with Pillsbury cinnamon or orange rolls, looks
festive and so easy............as I get older I am getting more and more about the easy. lol Merry Christmas, Nellie