These Strawberry Danishes are a perfect combination of buttery, flaky puff pastry filled with a creamy, sweetened cream cheese mixture and topped with fresh strawberries. Whether you’re serving them as a quick breakfast or a delightful dessert, these easy-to-make pastries are sure to impress. They can be topped with warm strawberry jam or a vanilla glaze for an extra touch of sweetness.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Strawberry Filling:

• 4 cups sliced strawberries

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 1 tablespoon sugar

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

• 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, room temperature

• ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Puff Pastry:

• 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon water

• 2–3 tablespoons sugar for topping (optional)

Optional Toppings:

• ¼ cup (60 ml) strawberry jam (warmed)

• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar

• 1–2 tablespoons (30–45 ml) milk

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Prepare the Filling: In a bowl, combine the sliced strawberries, cornstarch, and sugar. Let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to macerate.

2. Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In another bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.

3. Prepare the Puff Pastry: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Unfold the puff pastry and cut each sheet into 6 smaller rectangles, scoring a border around each rectangle.

4. Assemble the Danishes: Spread 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese filling in the center of each puff pastry rectangle, staying inside the borders. Decoratively layer fresh strawberries on top of the cream cheese.

5. Add Egg Wash: Brush the edges of the puff pastry with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar, if desired.

6. Chill: If the puff pastry has become sticky, chill the danishes in the fridge for 15–20 minutes before baking.

7. Bake: Bake the danishes for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

8. Top and Serve: Drizzle the cooled danishes with warm strawberry jam or a vanilla glaze (made by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract).

Nutrients

(Approximate per serving, based on 12 servings):

• Calories: 210 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 22g

  • Sugar: 12g

• Fat: 12g

  • Saturated Fat: 7g

• Protein: 2g

• Sodium: 90mg

Why Strawberry Danishes Are a Perfect Treat

These Strawberry Danishes are not only delicious but incredibly versatile. The puff pastry provides a crisp, flaky base that contrasts beautifully with the smooth, creamy cream cheese filling. The fresh strawberries add a burst of natural sweetness and freshness, making each bite a perfect balance of rich, creamy, and fruity flavors.

What makes these danishes especially appealing is how easy they are to prepare. Using store-bought puff pastry saves time without compromising on texture or flavor. The cream cheese filling is a simple, quick mixture that adds a velvety smooth texture, while the strawberries give the pastry a refreshing, slightly tart contrast. Whether served for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, these danishes are sure to impress with their beautiful presentation and irresistible flavor.

The Strawberry Filling: Fresh and Sweet

The strawberry filling is a key component of these danishes. By macerating the sliced strawberries with a bit of sugar and cornstarch, the natural sweetness of the strawberries is enhanced, and the cornstarch helps to thicken the juices that are released as they sit. This mixture creates a syrupy consistency that clings to the strawberries, ensuring they stay in place on top of the danishes.

The maceration process also allows the strawberries to soften slightly, bringing out their natural sweetness and making them even more delicious. This simple filling gives each danish its fresh, fruity burst, making the pastries feel light and refreshing, despite their richness.

The Cream Cheese Filling: Smooth and Velvety

The cream cheese filling is the heart of these danishes, providing a creamy and slightly tangy contrast to the sweetness of the strawberries. Made with just cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, the filling is smooth and easy to spread, ensuring that every bite of the danish is as creamy as it is flaky. The cream cheese also adds a bit of richness, making these danishes indulgent without being too heavy.

Beating the cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla creates a light, fluffy texture that complements the strawberries perfectly. The sweetness of the cream cheese filling is balanced by the slight tartness of the strawberries, creating a harmonious flavor profile that makes these danishes truly irresistible.

The Puff Pastry: Flaky and Golden

The puff pastry serves as the perfect vessel for these delicious fillings. Its light, flaky layers provide a satisfying crunch with every bite, while its buttery flavor enhances the overall richness of the danish. Puff pastry also puffs up beautifully in the oven, creating an airy, crisp base that holds the cream cheese and strawberry filling perfectly.

Using pre-made puff pastry saves time without sacrificing quality, allowing you to create a beautiful, golden-brown crust that’s both delicate and flaky. Cutting the puff pastry into smaller rectangles and scoring the edges ensures that the pastry bakes evenly and forms a beautiful, raised border around the filling, creating an elegant and appealing presentation.

Assembling the Danishes: Simple Yet Elegant

Assembling these Strawberry Danishes is straightforward and quick. After preparing the cream cheese filling and strawberry mixture, you simply spread the cream cheese filling onto the center of each puff pastry rectangle, leaving a border around the edges. Then, layer the fresh strawberries on top of the cream cheese and brush the edges of the pastry with an egg wash. The egg wash gives the pastry a golden, glossy finish when baked, adding to the visual appeal of the danishes.

If you prefer an extra touch of sweetness, you can sprinkle sugar over the edges of the puff pastry before baking. Chilling the assembled danishes in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before baking helps them maintain their shape and prevents the pastry from becoming too sticky during baking.

Baking the Danishes: Golden and Bubbly

Baking the danishes at 400°F (200°C) ensures that the puff pastry puffs up beautifully and becomes golden brown and crisp. The cream cheese filling melts into a smooth, velvety layer, while the strawberries soften and release their juices, making each bite a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Baking for 20-25 minutes gives the danishes plenty of time to cook through and form that perfect golden, bubbly topping.

Once baked, allow the danishes to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling period ensures that the danishes set properly and makes them easier to handle and serve.

Toppings: Strawberry Jam or Vanilla Glaze

To add an extra layer of sweetness, you can top the cooled danishes with warm strawberry jam or a vanilla glaze. The warm strawberry jam adds a luscious, fruity finish, while the vanilla glaze adds a creamy, sugary drizzle that enhances the sweetness of the cream cheese and strawberries. For the glaze, simply whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract together until smooth, and drizzle it over the danishes just before serving.

Both options bring a delightful finishing touch to the danishes, making them even more indulgent and perfect for a special breakfast or dessert.

Serving Suggestions

These Strawberry Danishes are delicious on their own, but they pair wonderfully with a variety of sides for a complete meal. For a balanced breakfast or brunch, serve them with a side of scrambled eggs, yogurt, or fresh fruit. A light salad with a tangy vinaigrette would also complement the sweetness of the danishes and provide a refreshing contrast.

For a more indulgent treat, serve the danishes alongside a cup of coffee or tea, making them the perfect accompaniment to your morning or afternoon break.

Nutritional Breakdown

Each Strawberry Danish contains approximately 210 calories, making them a reasonably light treat that won’t feel too indulgent. The pastries provide 12g of fat, including 7g of saturated fat, which comes from the butter and cream cheese. With 22g of carbohydrates, these danishes are best enjoyed in moderation, but they offer a satisfying balance of flavor and texture. The 12g of sugar comes primarily from the fruit and the cream cheese filling, making them sweet without being overly sugary.

Each danish also provides 2g of protein, primarily from the cream cheese filling, and 2g of fiber from the strawberries, helping to make the treat a bit more filling. With 90mg of sodium, the danishes are fairly low in salt, making them an enjoyable treat without overwhelming your daily sodium intake.

Conclusion: A Delicious and Easy-to-Make Treat

In conclusion, these Strawberry Danishes are the perfect combination of buttery, flaky puff pastry, creamy cream cheese filling, and fresh, sweet strawberries. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, they are sure to impress with their beautiful presentation and delightful flavors. The simple ingredients and easy preparation make them a go-to recipe for anyone looking to enjoy a delicious, homemade pastry. Whether you add a drizzle of warm strawberry jam or a vanilla glaze for extra sweetness, these danishes are bound to become a favorite in your household.