Creamy Tea Swirl

Welcome to a world where simple ingredients transform into an extraordinary breakfast or brunch experience! This incredibly easy, semi-homemade Cream Cheese Tea Roll recipe, crafted from humble frozen bread dough, promises to capture your heart and delight your palate with the very first bite. Forget complicated baking; this recipe is destined to become a staple in your kitchen, perfect for those cherished weekend gatherings, holiday brunches, or whenever you want to impress guests with minimal effort. It’s a delightful twist on a classic Danish, offering all the rich, creamy flavor without the extensive prep work.

The magic of this Cream Cheese Danish Recipe truly began with a brilliant discovery on the back of a frozen bread dough package. My mom, with her keen artistic eye, saw the potential to elevate a simple convenience item into a breakfast treat that was as visually stunning as it was irresistibly delicious. The result is a pastry that evokes comforting memories while creating new ones, a perfect blend of convenience and gourmet appeal.

Overhead view of Cream Cheese Tea Roll on a white plate, beautifully glazed.

Why This Cream Cheese Tea Roll Will Become Your Favorite

There are countless reasons why this easy cream cheese tea roll deserves a permanent spot in your recipe collection. It’s more than just a breakfast item; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients can yield spectacular results. Here’s why you absolutely must try making this:

Unmatched Simplicity with Frozen Bread Dough: The cornerstone of this recipe’s appeal is the clever use of frozen bread dough. This ingenious shortcut slashes prep time dramatically, making gourmet-quality pastries accessible even to novice bakers. Semi-homemade recipes like this are not just convenient; they are a smart approach to enjoying delicious, freshly baked goods without the daunting commitment of making everything from scratch. It’s about working smarter, not harder, in the kitchen.
Irresistible Sweet Cream Cheese Filling: Imagine a lusciously smooth, tangy-sweet cream cheese filling, perfectly complemented by a delicate drizzle of powdered sugar icing. This combination creates a flavor profile that is truly unforgettable. Each bite offers a delightful contrast of textures and tastes—the soft, yielding bread, the rich, creamy center, and the sweet, melt-in-your-mouth glaze. It’s a treat that feels indulgent and utterly satisfying, making it the star of any breakfast or brunch spread.
A Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: If your family is anything like mine, prepare for rave reviews and requests for seconds (and thirds!). This cream cheese tea roll has a universal appeal that transcends age. Its comforting familiarity, combined with its elegant presentation, makes it a hit with everyone. Whether you’re serving it to houseguests, bringing it to a potluck, or simply enjoying a quiet morning at home, this recipe is guaranteed to bring smiles and joyful appreciation.
Versatile for Any Occasion: While perfect for brunch, this tea roll isn’t limited to just mornings. It makes a fantastic dessert, an afternoon coffee companion, or a special treat to share. Its adaptability means you can easily customize it for different holidays or themes, adding a personal touch that makes it truly yours.

Essential Ingredient Notes for Perfection

Crafting the perfect Cream Cheese Tea Roll starts with understanding your ingredients. While this recipe simplifies the process, paying attention to a few key details will ensure the best possible outcome. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:

Kitchen Staples: You’ll need basic pantry items like granular sugar for sweetness, butter for richness in both the filling and glaze, authentic vanilla extract to enhance flavors, powdered sugar for a silky smooth icing, and a touch of milk to achieve the perfect glaze consistency. These everyday ingredients combine to create something truly special.
Frozen Bread Dough (One Loaf): This is your secret weapon for ease! I highly recommend using a quality brand like Rhode’s, known for its consistent texture and flavor. The key is to defrost it properly—overnight in the refrigerator is ideal. This slow thawing process maintains the dough’s integrity, making it easier to work with and ensuring a tender, airy final product. Avoid rushing this step, as it can affect the dough’s elasticity and rise.
Cream Cheese: For that signature smooth, dreamy filling, ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature. Cold cream cheese will be lumpy and difficult to blend evenly with the other ingredients, leading to an inconsistent texture in your filling. Taking it out of the fridge an hour or two before you start baking will make a world of difference.
Fresh Lemon Juice: While bottled lemon juice is convenient, fresh lemon juice truly elevates the flavor of the cream cheese filling. Its bright, zesty notes cut through the sweetness, balancing the richness of the cream cheese and adding a refreshing tang. This small detail makes a significant impact on the overall taste, providing a vibrant, fresh dimension that bottled versions simply can’t replicate.
Powdered Sugar for Glaze: For a flawlessly smooth icing that drizzles beautifully, sifting your powdered sugar is crucial, especially if it has been sitting in your pantry for a while. Sifting removes any lumps, ensuring a uniform texture and preventing a grainy glaze. This simple step guarantees a professional-looking finish for your tea roll.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Cream Cheese Tea Roll

This delightful Cream Cheese Tea Roll recipe, which my mom discovered on a package of frozen sweet dough years ago, always brings back fond memories of childhood treats like Sara Lee cheese danishes. The semi-homemade approach to this bread masterfully elicits that same tender, cream cheese-filled pastry sensation we all adore. Follow these straightforward steps to create your own:

Prepare the Dough: Begin by lightly flouring a clean work surface. Take your defrosted frozen bread dough and roll it out into a roughly 14×8-inch rectangle. Aim for an even thickness across the dough, which will ensure uniform baking and a consistent spiral of filling. Don’t be afraid to use a little extra flour if the dough becomes sticky, as this will help prevent tears and make handling easier.
Spread the Luxurious Filling: In a separate bowl, combine the room-temperature cream cheese, sugar, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Beat or whisk until the mixture is smooth and completely free of lumps. Carefully spread this creamy filling evenly over the surface of your rolled-out dough, leaving a small border (about half an inch) around all edges. This untouched margin is vital; it helps seal the dough effectively once you begin to roll it, preventing the delicious filling from oozing out during baking.
Roll and Shape with Precision: Now, it’s time to transform your flat dough into a beautiful roll. Starting from one of the long sides, carefully roll the dough up, jelly-roll style, into a snug cylinder. Once rolled, gently pinch the two ends of the cylinder together to form a seamless ring. Transfer the ring to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, make cuts at intervals of about 1.5 inches around the ring, extending about three-quarters of the way through the dough—without cutting completely through. Then, gently rotate each sliced segment about 45 degrees to expose the luscious cream cheese filling, creating a visually appealing pattern and allowing for even baking.
The Crucial Rise: Lightly cover the shaped tea roll with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Place it in a warm, draft-free spot and allow it to rise for approximately one hour, or until it has noticeably puffed up and looks airy. This rising period is essential for developing a light, tender texture in your final pastry. Patience here will be rewarded!
Bake to Golden Perfection and Garnish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once preheated and the dough has risen, bake the cream cheese tea roll for 20-25 minutes, or until it achieves a beautiful golden-brown color on the outside and the filling is set. Allow it to cool slightly before moving on to the icing. For a truly festive touch, especially during holiday brunches, consider garnishing your finished cream cheese danish with untreated evergreen fronds (ensure they are food-safe and clean) and vibrant fresh cranberries before serving. This adds a stunning visual appeal that’s perfect for special occasions.

Cream Cheese Tea Roll on a white plate garnished for Christmas with cranberries and evergreen.

Expert Recipe Tips for an Even Better Experience

Beyond the basic steps, these helpful tips and tricks will ensure your Cream Cheese Tea Roll turns out perfectly every time, and even inspire you to customize it for various occasions:

Lemon Juice Hack: To always have fresh lemon juice on hand, I love to freeze small quantities in ice cube trays. Once solid, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag. This way, you’re always ready when a recipe calls for a splash of fresh citrus. Remember, fresh lemon juice consistently delivers a brighter, more authentic flavor than its bottled counterpart.
Effortless Icing Drizzle: For a neat and professional-looking glaze, scrape your prepared icing into a large Ziploc bag. Snip off just a tiny corner of the bag, creating a small opening. This allows you to control the flow and drizzle the icing back and forth over your cooled tea roll with precision, creating a beautiful, even coating without any mess.
Holiday Garnish Ideas: Elevate your tea roll for festive occasions! For Christmas, gently press red and green glacé cherries into the wet frosting for a pop of color and extra sweetness. The vibrant hues will make your pastry truly stand out on your holiday table.
Mardi Gras Celebration: Get creative for Mardi Gras by sprinkling purple, green, and gold sugar in distinct sections over the freshly applied frosting. The sugars will adhere beautifully to the glaze, creating a dazzling and thematic treat that captures the spirit of the celebration, much like a King Cake.
Dough Alternatives: While the original recipe often suggested Rhode’s brand sweet dough, it appears to be discontinued. Fret not! Any good quality frozen bread dough will work wonderfully. Look for a brand that offers a slightly sweet profile, which complements the cream cheese filling perfectly. You can also achieve excellent results with homemade bread dough, as long as it has a touch of sweetness.
Serving Suggestions & Occasions: This versatile cream cheese tea roll is perfect for countless moments. It’s a thoughtful welcome gift for new neighbors, a comforting treat for parents of a newborn, a festive addition to any holiday breakfast or brunch spread, or simply a delightful indulgence when entertaining weekend company. Its charm and deliciousness make it suitable for any gathering where good food is appreciated.
Patience with Rising: Don’t underestimate the importance of the rising time. A well-risen dough leads to a lighter, airier texture. If your kitchen is cool, you can place the covered dough in a slightly warm (but not hot) oven that has been turned off, or near a warm oven that’s preheating, to encourage a better rise.
Cooling Before Icing: Ensure your tea roll has cooled sufficiently before applying the glaze. If the roll is too warm, the icing will melt and run off, rather than setting into a beautiful, even coat.

Close up view of Cream Cheese Tea Roll on a parchment lined baking sheet, ready for glazing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cream Cheese Tea Rolls

Here are answers to some common questions about making and storing your delicious cream cheese tea roll:

How Do You Store a Cream Cheese Danish?

To keep your cream cheese tea roll fresh and delicious, it’s best to cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. While some might leave it on the counter at room temperature, refrigerating is the safest option due to the cream cheese filling. This helps maintain its freshness and prevents spoilage. For the best flavor and texture, allow it to come to room temperature before serving again.

How Long Does a Cheese Danish Last?

A cream cheese tea roll is typically at its peak freshness for about 3-4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator. However, in our experience, it rarely lasts that long because it gets devoured quickly! Always check for any signs of spoilage before consuming if it has been stored for an extended period.

Can You Use Homemade Bread Dough to Make a Cream Cheese Danish Recipe?

Absolutely! If you prefer to bake from scratch, homemade bread dough will work wonderfully for this cream cheese danish recipe. The key is to use enough dough to make one standard loaf of bread. When choosing or preparing your homemade dough, look for a recipe that incorporates a touch of sweetness, whether from sugar, honey, or another sweetener in its ingredients. This will complement the rich cream cheese filling beautifully and ensure a delightful overall flavor profile.

Can I Freeze the Cream Cheese Tea Roll?

Yes, you can! For best results, it’s generally recommended to freeze the unbaked tea roll after it has been shaped but before its final rise. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. When ready to bake, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, then let it come to room temperature and rise in a warm spot before baking as directed. You can also freeze a baked, un-iced roll, wrapping it well. Thaw, warm gently, and then apply fresh icing.

Explore More Delightful Brunch & Bread Recipes

If you’ve fallen in love with this Cream Cheese Tea Roll, you’ll certainly want to explore these other fantastic recipes that are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or any sweet craving:

Cherry Cream Cheese Danishes from Country Cleaver: A fruity twist on the classic, these are quick and bursting with flavor.
Cream Cheese Filled Pumpkin Bread: Perfect for autumn, this moist pumpkin bread features a hidden cream cheese surprise.
Danish Twists with Cream Cheese Filling: Another elegant way to enjoy that irresistible cream cheese goodness in a twisted pastry form.
Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake: A beautiful and flavorful coffee cake, ideal for special occasions or a cozy morning.
You may also like all my Breakfast Recipes, Brunch Recipes and Bread Recipes for even more inspiration!

Stay in touch through social media @ Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Don’t forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes! And if you love the results, please give it a 5-star rating in the recipe card below.

The Recipe:

Cream Cheese Tea Roll Recipe

Prep Time
20 minutes

Cook Time
25 minutes

Total Time
45 minutes

Yield
8 servings

An easy to make, semi-homemade breakfast bread filled with sweetened cream cheese, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

1 pound frozen bread dough, defrosted in the refrigerator overnight

Filling:

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter, at room temperature

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon butter, at room temperature
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

Roll the defrosted dough into a 14 x 8-inch rectangle. Evenly spread the cream cheese filling on top, leaving a small border.
Roll up the dough from one long side, jelly-roll style, into a tight cylinder. Seal the ends together to form a ring.
Place the ring on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Make cuts every 1 ½ inches or so, cutting approximately ¾ of the way through the ring (from the outside towards the middle). Gently twist each ring segment on its side to expose the filling.
Loosely cover the tea roll with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until visibly puffed.
Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175°C). Bake the risen tea roll for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. Cool completely before icing.
While the roll cools, whisk or beat together all glaze ingredients until smooth.
Scrape the prepared glaze into a Ziploc bag and snip off one tiny corner. Squeeze the bag to drizzle the glaze decoratively over the cooled bread.

Notes

Store the Cream Cheese Tea Roll covered with plastic wrap, either at room temperature for a day or in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Allow to come to room temperature before serving for best flavor.

I generally use Rhodes brand frozen bread dough, but any quality frozen bread dough with a slightly sweet profile will work well.

HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest