Print

Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 81 reviews

This Strawberry Danish recipe features flaky puff pastry filled with a creamy vanilla cream cheese mixture and topped with fresh, luscious strawberries. Baked to a golden perfection and finished with a sweet glaze or strawberry jam, these pastries make a delightful treat for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Strawberry Filling

  • 4 cups sliced strawberries
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon sugar

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 8 oz. (226 g) cream cheese, room temperature
  • ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Puff Pastry and Egg Wash

  • 2 puff pastry sheets, thawed
  • 1 large egg (lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon water)
  • 2 – 3 tablespoons sugar for topping (optional)

Toppings and Glaze

  • ¼ cup (60 ml) strawberry jam (optional for topping)
  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 – 3 tablespoons (30 – 45 ml) milk

Instructions

  1. Prep Puff Pastry and Oven – Pull the puff pastry sheets out of the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 to 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Prepare Strawberry Mixture – In a mixing bowl, combine the sliced strawberries, sugar, and cornstarch. Toss everything together to coat the strawberries evenly. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to macerate.
  3. Make Cream Cheese Filling – In another bowl, beat the room temperature cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing well until creamy and fully combined. Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary.
  4. Cut Puff Pastry – Unfold one sheet of puff pastry into a square. Cut along the folded lines, then cut each long rectangle in half to create six smaller rectangles total. Using a small paring knife, lightly score around the edges of each rectangle about ¼ inch from the border, being careful not to cut all the way through.
  5. Assemble Danishes – Spread about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese filling into the center of each puff pastry rectangle, staying inside the scored border. Neatly layer the prepared strawberries on top of the cream cheese filling. Lightly brush the outer edges of the puff pastry with the beaten egg wash. Optionally sprinkle sugar over the entire pastry for added sparkle and sweetness.
  6. Chill Before Baking – If the puff pastry feels warm or sticky, transfer the baking sheets to the fridge and chill for 15 to 20 minutes to ensure the dough puffs beautifully during baking.
  7. Bake – Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake the danishes for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and puffed.
  8. Cool and Add Toppings – Let the danishes cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. For finishing touches, spread warm strawberry jam on top or dust with powdered sugar.
  9. Optional Vanilla Glaze – To make a glaze, whisk together powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled danishes for extra sweetness and shine.

Notes

  • Allowing puff pastry to thaw and chilling before baking helps achieve maximum puff and flakiness.
  • For a tangier cream cheese filling, add a teaspoon of lemon zest.
  • You can substitute fresh strawberry jam with apricot or raspberry jam if preferred.
  • If sugar topping is omitted, brushing the puff pastry with egg wash alone still creates a lovely golden color.
  • The glaze thickness can be adjusted by the amount of milk for drizzling consistency.

Keywords: Strawberry Danish, puff pastry, cream cheese filling, breakfast pastry, baked dessert, vanilla glaze

Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/strawberry-cream-cheese-danish-recipe/