Strawberry Danish with Cream Cheese (Printable)
Flaky puff pastry pockets filled with cream cheese and glazed strawberries — ideal for breakfast or a sweet treat.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pastry
01 - 1 sheet puff pastry (about 9 ounces), thawed if frozen
→ Cream Cheese Filling
02 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
03 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
→ Strawberry Filling
06 - 1½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
07 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
08 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch
→ Egg Wash
10 - 1 large egg, beaten
11 - 1 tablespoon milk
→ Optional Glaze
12 - ¾ cup powdered sugar
13 - 2 to 3 teaspoons milk
14 - ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - In a mixing bowl, blend softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
03 - In a separate bowl, combine diced strawberries with granulated sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Mix gently and set aside.
04 - Roll out the puff pastry sheet and cut into 8 equal squares. Lightly score a ⅜-inch border around each square without cutting through.
05 - Spread 1 tablespoon of cream cheese filling in the center of each pastry square, staying within the border, then spoon 1 tablespoon of the strawberry filling on top.
06 - Brush the pastry borders with egg wash made by combining the beaten egg and milk.
07 - Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
08 - Transfer the baked pastries to a wire rack to cool slightly.
09 - Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until a smooth glaze forms. Drizzle over cooled pastries if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of creamy cheese and fresh strawberries in flaky pastry tastes like a secret bakery treat at home.
- The process is shockingly approachable, even if, like me, patience with dough isn’t your strong suit.
02 -
- Once I tried using cold cream cheese and ended up with lumpy filling—always bring it to room temp first.
- Lining the baking tray with parchment really is non-negotiable; otherwise, the caramelized strawberry edges cement themselves right on.
03 -
- Don’t rush the defrosting of your puff pastry; cool dough puffs best and prevents sticky rolling.
- Adding a pinch of salt to the cream cheese filling makes the flavors pop in a way that surprises everyone.