Delicious Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
Delicious Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes are flaky, buttery pastries filled with a smooth cream cheese mixture and topped with fresh, sweet strawberries. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, these heart-shaped danishes combine a tender, golden crust with a sweet and tangy filling that delights the senses and makes any occasion extra special.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 danishes 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian (Gluten Free option possible with gluten-free puff pastry)
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 1 package frozen puff pastry sheets (thawed according to package instructions)
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened (full-fat recommended)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- 1 cup fresh ripe strawberries, washed, dried, and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Finishing
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Optional: powdered sugar or glaze for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat with a hand mixer or whisk until smooth and creamy with no lumps for a silky filling.
- Wash and Slice Strawberries: Rinse fresh strawberries and pat dry thoroughly. Slice into thin pieces to ensure even layering and prevent overcrowding on the danishes.
- Roll and Cut Puff Pastry: Thaw puff pastry sheets as per package instructions. Lightly flour a surface, roll out dough slightly to smooth it, and cut out heart shapes using a cookie cutter or knife.
- Assemble the Danishes: Place a spoonful of cream cheese mixture in the center of each pastry heart, leaving edges clear. Arrange sliced strawberries gently on top, avoiding too much overlap.
- Add Egg Wash and Bake: Brush the pastry edges with beaten egg for a golden finish. Bake on a parchment-lined baking tray at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until the edges puff and turn golden and the filling is set without browning.
- Cool and Optional Glaze: Let danishes cool slightly on a wire rack. Optionally drizzle with powdered sugar glaze or dust with powdered sugar. Serve warm or at room temperature to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Chill cream cheese until softened but still cold to prevent runny filling.
- Pat strawberries dry thoroughly to avoid soggy pastry bottoms.
- Keep puff pastry chilled until baking to ensure optimal puffiness.
- Space danishes adequately on baking tray for even cooking.
- Adjust sugar to taste, depending on strawberry tartness or personal preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 danish (approximate)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: strawberry cream cheese danishes, heart-shaped danishes, breakfast pastry, brunch dessert, flaky puff pastry, cream cheese filling, homemade danishes
