Hey everyone, Jason Griffith here! There’s something truly special about a warm, flaky pastry, especially when it’s fresh from your own oven. This Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish recipe is my absolute favorite for that very reason. It takes a classic bakery pastry and makes it completely approachable for a home baker. The combination of a golden, buttery crust, a creamy, tangy cream cheese filling, and the sweet burst of fresh strawberries is simply divine. It’s the perfect treat for a special breakfast, a festive brunch, or a simple dessert.
Why I Love This Recipe
What I love most about this recipe is its genius simplicity. While it looks and tastes like a gourmet pastry, it uses a fantastic shortcut—store-bought puff pastry. This cuts down on a ton of time and effort without sacrificing any of the flaky, buttery goodness. The cream cheese filling is a breeze to whip up, and the fresh strawberries add a vibrant color and a sweet, juicy flavor that is a perfect contrast to the rich cream cheese. This recipe is a fantastic way to impress your friends and family with a homemade treat that they will be talking about for days.
Ingredients
For the Danish
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
For the Cream Cheese Filling
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Topping
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 tablespoon apricot jam (or strawberry jam), for glazing
Swaps and Notes
- Puff Pastry: Store-bought frozen puff pastry is the key to this recipe’s ease. Be sure to let it thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours before you begin.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature. This is crucial for getting a smooth, lump-free filling.
- Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are a must here for their vibrant color and flavor. You can use other berries too, like raspberries or blueberries.
- Glaze: The apricot jam glaze adds a beautiful shine and a touch of sweetness to the Danish. You can also use strawberry jam or a simple powdered sugar glaze.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Oven and Pastry: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet and place it on the parchment paper. Cut the sheet into 4 equal squares.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract with a hand mixer until it is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Form the Danish: Using a small knife, score a border about 1/2-inch from the edge of each puff pastry square, being careful not to cut all the way through. This creates the beautiful flaky border.
- Add the Filling: Spoon a generous amount of the cream cheese filling into the center of each square, staying inside the scored border. Arrange the sliced strawberries over the cream cheese filling.
- Egg Wash and Bake: Brush the outer edges of the puff pastry with the beaten egg wash. Sprinkle the granulated sugar over the egg wash. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed up.
- Glaze and Serve: While the Danish is baking, warm the apricot jam in a small saucepan over low heat until it is runny. Once the Danish comes out of the oven, brush the warm jam over the strawberries and filling. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Tips for Success
- Use Cold Puff Pastry: Puff pastry bakes best when it’s cold. Work quickly to shape and fill the Danish so you can get them in the oven before the butter gets too soft.
- Don’t Cut Through the Border: The scored border is what creates that beautiful, puffy, flaky edge. Be careful to only score the surface.
- Egg Wash is Key: The egg wash is what gives the Danish its beautiful golden-brown color and a lovely sheen.
- Serve Immediately: These pastries are best served warm and fresh from the oven.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish are a perfect breakfast or brunch treat. You can serve them with a fresh cup of coffee or a glass of milk. For a full breakfast spread, you could serve them alongside a fruit platter or a big family banana pudding.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 20g
Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
Storage and Leftover Tips
These Danish are best enjoyed fresh. If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. To reheat, you can pop them in a toaster oven for a few minutes to crisp up the pastry.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoy baking and creating delicious treats from scratch, you might also like these other recipes:
- This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is my favorite way to use up overripe bananas
- These Easy Pumpkin Spice Muffins are my favorite fall treat to bake on repeat
- These Caramel Apple Pie Cookies are my favorite fall treat in bite-sized form
- These Spring Flower Pretzel Bites are my favorite easy treat for brightening any day
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish recipe is a perfect example of how a simple recipe can deliver a huge payoff in flavor. It’s an elegant, delicious pastry that will make any morning feel a little bit brighter. Give this recipe a try, and I guarantee you’ll be making it again and again.
What’s your favorite breakfast pastry? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below! Be sure to follow me for more recipes that are as simple as they are delicious.
Easy Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish: A Simple Breakfast Pastry
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
- 1 tablespoon apricot jam (or strawberry jam)
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut it into squares.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Place a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each pastry square, then top with diced strawberries.
- Fold the corners of the pastry over the filling to create a pocket and pinch to seal.
- Brush the tops of the pastries with the beaten egg for a golden finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and brush with apricot jam while still warm.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
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