Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe

If you love a sweet start to your morning (or a gorgeous treat with your afternoon tea!), this Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe is about to steal your heart. With flaky, golden puff pastry, a dreamy cream cheese filling, and bright, juicy strawberries, every bite is sunshine and comfort rolled into one irresistible pastry.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe is all about fresh, simple ingredients that let each flavor shine. Every element—juicy strawberries, flaky puff pastry, tangy-sweet cream cheese—has its moment in the spotlight and brings so much goodness to the final result!

• Strawberries: Fresh, ripe berries give a vibrant color and natural sweetness; just slice and let them shine.
• Cornstarch: Just a spoonful thickens the strawberry juices perfectly so your Danish isn’t soggy.
• Granulated Sugar: A little sugar brings out the berries’ juiciness and caramelizes slightly on top.
• Cream Cheese: Use full-fat, room temperature cream cheese for the creamiest, silkiest filling.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the filling and makes a smooth, delicate glaze for the topping.
• Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla deepens the flavor of both the filling and the glaze.
• Puff Pastry Sheets: Store-bought puff pastry keeps this recipe easy while baking up buttery and crisp.
• Egg (for egg wash): A quick egg wash on the edges is what gives that lovely, shiny, bakery-golden finish.
• Strawberry Jam (optional): For an extra sheen and jammy burst on top—totally optional but so delectable.
• Milk: Just a bit helps whisk your glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency.

Variations

The beauty of this Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe is how easily you can mix things up to suit your mood, ingredients on hand, or dietary needs. Let your creativity (and your pantry) guide you!

• Mixed Berry Danish: Swap some or all of the strawberries for raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries for a colorful berry medley.
• Lemon Zest Filling: Add finely grated lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture for an extra pop of citrusy freshness.
• Almond Glaze: Replace the vanilla in the glaze with almond extract and sprinkle with toasted sliced almonds for bakery-style flair.
• Dairy-Free: Use a plant-based cream cheese and a non-dairy puff pastry to make this treat vegan-friendly—trust me, it bakes up just as deliciously!

How to Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Puff Pastry

Start by thawing your puff pastry sheets at room temperature for 30–45 minutes. This makes them pliable and easy to handle, which is essential for that irresistible flaky texture. Don’t rush this step—cold pastry cracks, and warm pastry gets sticky, so aim for slightly cool and flexible!

Step 2: Make the Strawberry Filling

Toss your cleaned, sliced strawberries with granulated sugar and cornstarch in a bowl. Stir until every berry is lightly dusted and set aside for about 15 minutes. This rest allows the sugar and cornstarch to draw out the berries’ juices and thicken them, so they’re wonderfully jammy when baked.

Step 3: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Mixture

In another bowl, mix room temperature cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until creamy, lush, and soft enough to easily spread. Now’s a great moment to taste and adjust the sweetness to your liking!

Step 4: Assemble the Danish Pastries

Unfold a sheet of puff pastry and gently cut along the fold lines to create rectangles, then cut each long rectangle in half for a total of six. Score a border about ¼ inch from the edge (don’t cut all the way through!), then spoon about 1 tablespoon of that dreamy cream cheese filling into the center, keeping it inside the border. Top with a fan of your prepared strawberries.

Step 5: Brush, Sprinkle, and Chill

Brush the exposed pastry edges with egg wash for that signature sheen and sprinkle with sugar if you love a little extra crunch and sparkle. If your pastry feels a bit soft, pop the trays in the fridge for 15–20 minutes—this quick chill means puffier, flakier Danish layers. Trust me, it’s worth it!

Step 6: Bake and Decorate

Bake the pastries at 400°F (204°C) for 20–25 minutes, until puffed and golden brown. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack. When cool, brush with warm strawberry jam for gorgeous shine, or drizzle with vanilla glaze for that final bakery touch. Congratulations—you’ve just made the ultimate Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe!

How to Serve Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe

Garnishes

For a picture-perfect finish, I love a generous drizzle of homemade vanilla glaze or a sunny swipe of strawberry jam over each Danish. A dusting of powdered sugar looks like a fresh blanket of snow, while a little zest of lemon or a sprinkle of chopped fresh mint makes everything look and taste bright!

Side Dishes

Pair your Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe with a simple fruit salad, creamy Greek yogurt, or even a handful of toasted nuts for a nourishing breakfast spread. And of course, nothing beats these with a mug of hot coffee or a pot of fragrant tea.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your pastries on a cake stand for a brunch table centerpiece, or let everyone build their own with a “DIY Danish Bar”—set out extra berries, jams, and different glazes for total customization. Individual mini danish served in cupcake liners also make for the cutest, easiest party treats.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2–3 days. They’ll stay wonderfully fresh, though you may want to revive their flakiness with a quick reheat. The flavors mellow and become even cozier the next day!

Freezing

You can freeze the baked danishes (unglazed) by wrapping each tightly in plastic wrap and storing in a freezer-safe bag. Defrost overnight in the fridge, then add glaze or jam right before serving for that “fresh from the oven” feeling, any time.

Reheating

For best results, reheat leftover danishes in a toaster oven or a 350°F oven for about 5–7 minutes. The puff pastry will regain its crisp bite, and the filling warm up to delicious, creamy perfection—just like new!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ll treat yourself (and maybe a lucky guest or two) to this Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe soon! It’s simple enough for beginners but impressive enough for special occasions—a little home-baked magic that never fails to put a smile on everyone’s face. Happy baking!

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