Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes (Printer-friendly)

Golden puff pastries filled with smooth cream cheese and fresh strawberry preserves, ideal for any occasion.

# What You Need:

→ Pastry Components

01 - 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (approximately 8.8 ounces), thawed
02 - 1 egg, beaten for egg wash

→ Cream Cheese Filling

03 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
04 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
05 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Strawberry Filling

06 - 4 tablespoons strawberry preserves or jam
07 - 6 fresh strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced

→ Vanilla Glaze

08 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
09 - 1-2 tablespoons milk
10 - 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - On lightly floured surface, unfold puff pastry. Using 3-inch heart cookie cutter, cut 16 hearts. Place 8 whole hearts on prepared baking sheet. Use smaller 2-inch heart cutter to remove centers from remaining 8 hearts, creating frames.
03 - Brush edges of whole hearts with egg wash. Place heart frames on top, pressing gently to seal edges.
04 - In small bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Mix until completely smooth and creamy.
05 - Spoon 1 tablespoon cream cheese mixture into center of each heart. Top with 1/2 tablespoon strawberry preserves and arrange fresh strawberry slices over filling.
06 - Brush pastry edges with remaining egg wash for golden color.
07 - Bake 16-18 minutes until pastry is puffed and deeply golden. Cool on baking sheet 10 minutes before glazing.
08 - Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over cooled danishes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The puff pastry creates impossibly flaky layers that shatter beautifully when you bite into them
  • That cream cheese filling strikes the perfect balance between tangy and sweet
  • They look impressive but come together in under 45 minutes
  • The heart shape makes everyone smile, even on ordinary Tuesdays
02 -
  • Work quickly with the puff pastry once it is out of the freezer. Warm pastry loses its ability to create those signature flaky layers.
  • Do not overfill the danishes or the filling will bubble over and make a mess in your oven.
  • Let them cool for at least 10 minutes before adding the glaze, or it will melt right off instead of creating those pretty drizzles.
03 -
  • Chill your baking sheet in the freezer for 10 minutes before arranging the danishes. This cold start helps the puff pastry rise higher and flake better.
  • If you do not have heart cutters, use a round cutter and gently pinch the bottom point to form a heart shape.

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