Description
Delightfully tangy and creamy, these Lemon Cheesecake Crescent Rolls combine the soft, flaky texture of crescent dough with a luscious lemon cream cheese filling. Topped with a zesty lemon glaze and optional fresh lemon peel garnish, they’re a perfect sweet treat for breakfast or dessert, ready in just under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Filling
- 1 block package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons grated lemon peel (zest) from 1 large lemon
Crescent Rolls
- 1 can (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls or crescent dough sheets
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Lemon Glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh grated lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the baking sheet: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix cream cheese, sugar, and lemon peel until smooth: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and grated lemon peel. Use a hand mixer or whisk to blend the ingredients until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Fill crescent dough with the cream cheese mixture and roll up: Unroll the crescent rolls onto a clean surface. Spread the lemon cream cheese mixture evenly over each triangle. Starting from the wide edge, roll each crescent into a crescent shape, ensuring the filling stays inside.
- Bake until golden brown: Place the filled crescents on the prepared baking sheet, brush them lightly with melted butter. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the rolls are puffed and golden brown.
- Prepare lemon glaze and drizzle over warm rolls: While the rolls bake, whisk together the powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice until smooth to form a glaze. Once the crescent rolls are out of the oven and still warm, drizzle the lemon glaze evenly over them.
- Garnish with fresh lemon peel if desired and serve: Optionally sprinkle fresh grated lemon peel on top of the glazed rolls for an extra burst of citrus flavor. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy mixing and smooth texture.
- If you prefer a sweeter glaze, add a bit more powdered sugar or reduce the lemon juice accordingly.
- You can substitute the crescent rolls with puff pastry if desired, adjusting baking time as needed.
- For a more intense lemon flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of lemon extract to the cream cheese mixture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently before serving.
