Oh, you absolutely *have* to try making these at home! I’m obsessed with getting that perfect bakery look without spending hours kneading dough. That’s where the magic of store-bought puff pastry comes in; it’s my little secret for creating an incredibly light, sweet brunch treat. If you’re looking for beautiful Valentine Day Desserts that feel elegant but are totally fuss-free, this Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish is it.
As someone who really focuses on balance in the kitchen, I love recipes like this one. They prove that special occasion pastries don’t need to be heavy or complicated. My goal, just like the recipes I develop, is to give you simple techniques that yield stunning results. You’ll see just how easy it is to build beautiful layers of flavor and texture right on your own countertop.
Why This Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe Works (E-E-A-T)
Listen, I get it—bakery pastries always look so imposing, like you need a culinary degree just to touch them. But these actually work beautifully for us home bakers! Trust me when I say this recipe strikes that perfect sweet spot. We get that incredible, airy flakiness from the pastry, right alongside a rich, softly sweetened cream cheese filling.
It’s all about the balance, which is what I aim for in all my recipes. The bright, slight tartness of the fresh strawberries cuts through the richness, so these don’t feel heavy at all. You’ll find that making an impressive **Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish** happens faster than you even think. Plus, since we use store-bought puff pastry, you save time without sacrificing any flavor. Check out some of my other easy baking magic if you want more simple wins like this!
Ingredients for the Perfect Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish
Okay, let’s talk about what you need because these ingredients are super straightforward. Seriously, most of what you need is probably already in your freezer or fridge! Remember, nothing complicated here, which is why I love it for a quick brunch treat or even a fun afternoon snack.
To get that flaky texture, you absolutely need one sheet of frozen puff pastry, thawed properly. Then for the filling, make sure your cream cheese is nice and soft; this is for smooth mixing! We’re using fresh strawberries, so make sure they are sliced up and ready to mingle with a little bit of cornstarch to thicken up the juices while these bake.
For the final glaze, we just toss together powdered sugar with a splash of milk and a touch of vanilla until it drips just right. If you want more amazing recipes using cream cheese, you should definitely peep my cream cheese banana bread next! Here’s the full rundown:
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry thawed per package directions
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar (for the strawberries!)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for the filling)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for the glaze)
- 2 cups fresh strawberries sliced
- 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp water
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish
Getting these **Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish** pastries onto the cooling rack is super straightforward, really! We’re going to break it down just like I do it every time so that puff pastry gets flaky, not soggy. First things first: let’s get that oven warming up to 400 degrees. Don’t worry about doing anything else until the oven tells you it’s ready; we need that initial blast of heat to make the pastry puff up beautifully. Remember, you can find a link to my super fast Dutch Baby recipe if you need another quick baked morning favorite!
Preparing the Cream Cheese Filling and Strawberry Topping
Time for the creamy part! Grab your softened cream cheese, the bigger part of your sugar (that’s the 1/4 cup), and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Beat those together hard in a medium bowl until everything is completely smooth. Seriously, no lumps allowed here; we want velvet cream cheese! In a separate bowl, mix up your sliced strawberries with the cornstarch and that tiny bit of remaining sugar. The cornstarch is what keeps the strawberry juices from making your pastry soggy later on, so don’t skip that tiny step!
Shaping and Filling the Strawberry Puff Pastry Danishes
Now, pull out that thawed puff pastry. Dust your counter lightly—and I mean lightly!—then roll that sheet out just a little bit. Cut the pastry sheet in half lengthwise, and then cut each of those halves into four squares. That gives you eight lovely pieces total. Take a small knife and gently score a border about half an inch in from the edge on each piece. Don’t cut all the way through! That scored border is what puffs up around your filling. Spoon the cream cheese mixture inside that border, and then dollop those beautiful strawberries right on top.
Baking Your Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish to Golden Perfection
We need to make an egg wash so these look pretty and professional. Just whisk that single egg together with the 2 teaspoons of water. Brush this right onto the edges—the border you scored—but try your best not to get it on the filling, or it won’t puff as nicely. Pop them onto a baking sheet lined with parchment or a mat, and bake them for about 15 to 20 minutes. You’re looking for that perfect golden brown color and for them to be totally puffed up. Let them cool for about five minutes before you even *think* about glazing them!
Finishing Touches: The Sweet Glaze for Your Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish
This glaze is so easy, it feels like cheating! In a small bowl, stir together the powdered sugar, the remaining little bit of vanilla extract, and just enough milk to get it drippy. We want it thin enough to drizzle easily over your slightly cooled **Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish**. Once you’ve drizzled that sweet perfection everywhere, they are ready to eat! I usually serve mine warm, honestly.
Tips for Making the Best Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish
The secret sauce to success here is mostly patience with the puff pastry. You mustn’t rush the thawing process! If the dough is too cold or still icy, it won’t puff up properly, and your flaky layers turn into crunchy bricks. Let it thaw on the counter, exactly as the package says—usually about 40 minutes. Don’t try to speed this up in the microwave, or you’ll melt the butter right out of the layers!
Also, remember that note about using different fruit? If strawberries aren’t looking their best, go for it! You can totally swap them out, especially if you’re looking for lighter breakfast options to pair with your coffee. Blueberries work beautifully, or even a nice, tart raspberry. Just make sure whatever fruit you choose gets tossed lightly with that cornstarch mixture so your **Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish** stays crisp and flaky.
If you like a very rich, dense center, you can let your cream cheese sit out on the counter for an extra 15 minutes to get it extra soft before beating. If you want to experiment with other holiday treats that use similar fillings, you might want to check out my apple caramel and walnut tartlets recipes next time!
Ingredient Substitutions for Your Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish
One of the best parts about a simple pastry recipe is how adaptable it is! If you can’t find perfect local strawberries, please don’t panic. You can absolutely swap out the fruit and still get amazing results. Think about using firm blueberries or even tart raspberries tossed with that little bit of cornstarch.
The other area you can play with is the cream cheese. If you’re rushing, don’t worry too much about it being perfectly room temperature, although slightly softer is better for that smooth whip. Just try to avoid it being ice-cold, or you’ll end up whipping an arm workout instead of a filling! If you love raspberry flavors, you definitely need to look at some of my raspberry cream cheese bites for another easy treat.
Serving Suggestions for Your Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish
These fantastic **Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish** pastries really shine when they are served slightly warm. Since they are so bright and flavorful, you don’t need heavy sides at all. For brunch, I always serve mine alongside a lovely pot of hot black tea or my favorite vibrant, healthy mocktail—you should totally try my pink coconut mojito for something fun!
They look absolutely stunning on a platter, making them perfect for casual get-togethers or as easy **Valentine Day Desserts**. Honestly, presentation is half the fun with these delicate pastries!
Storing and Reheating the Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish
I know you won’t want to stop eating these **Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish** when they first come out, but if you have leftovers (which is rare in my house!), storage is easy. If you’re eating them the same day, just keep them loosely covered on the counter. For longer storage, up to three days, pop them in the fridge. Don’t seal them tightly, or the pastry will soften!
Now, for reheating—this is the key to bringing back that glorious flakiness! If they were refrigerated, give them just 5 minutes in a 300-degree oven. You want that pastry to wake up and get crispy again before you enjoy those creamy, fruity centers!
Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Puff Pastry Danishes
I always get tons of questions about these pastries, especially when people are planning out their best Valentine Day Desserts menus! Since we’re keeping things simple, most of the anxiety melts away once you see how easy the process is. Here are a few things people ask me most often about making these at home.
Are these Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes suitable for Valentine Day Desserts?
Absolutely, one hundred percent yes! These are my go-to for any celebration because they look so stunningly elegant on a platter, but they take next to no time at all. The colors—the pink strawberries against the white glaze—just scream romance and joy. They are fantastic for weekend breakfast-in-bed plans or as a lighter option for your overall Valentines Day Baking Ideas spread. They feel special without being overly heavy!
How can I make this recipe faster if I am short on time?
If you are really pressed for time, there are a couple of little shortcuts that won’t ruin the texture. You can buy pre-sliced strawberries if you see some that look especially fresh, although I always prefer slicing them myself. Another tiny time-saver is that you don’t need your cream cheese to be super room temperature; just let it sit out while you’re preheating the oven, and it will whip up fine enough!
What is the estimated calorie count for one Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish?
That’s a fair question, especially since we’re aiming for balance! Based on the ingredients listed, one **Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish** comes out to roughly 350 calories serving. Now, remember that’s just an estimate, and really depends on how thick you make that final drizzle of powdered sugar glaze! It’s a perfect little indulgence for a special weekend morning.
About the Developer: Olivia Bennett
Hi there! I’m Olivia Bennett, and I’m a Healthy Living Recipe Developer here at Sena Recipes. I’m based right up in beautiful Vermont! My passion is taking everyday ingredients and turning them into colorful, nourishing food that tastes incredibly good but still supports a balanced lifestyle. I truly believe baking and cooking should feel simple and enjoyable, not stressful.
I love creating recipes that feel special, like these danishes, but use practical techniques you can easily manage any day of the week. If you want to see more of my work focusing on that sweet spot between health and flavor, feel free to check out my author page or connect with me on LinkedIn!
Print
Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make bakery-style strawberry cream cheese danishes at home using frozen puff pastry for a light, sweet brunch treat.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry thawed per package directions
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups fresh strawberries sliced
- 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp water
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Beat together cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in a medium bowl until creamy.
- Combine sliced strawberries, cornstarch, and the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of sugar in a separate bowl.
- Place the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Roll it out slightly. Cut the puff pastry in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 4 equal pieces to make 8 slices total. Score a border into each piece with a knife, cutting only partway through the dough.
- Spoon the cream cheese mixture within the scored border of each pastry piece, then top the cream cheese with strawberries.
- Combine the egg and water to create an egg wash, then brush this wash over the border of the puff pastry.
- Transfer the pastries to a baking sheet lined with a silicon baking mat or parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the danishes are puffed up and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- Stir together the powdered sugar, remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of milk to create a glaze.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled danishes and serve.
Notes
- This recipe is suitable for home bakers seeking a simple, fruit-forward pastry.
- The flaky pastry and creamy center provide a balanced texture.
- You can adapt this recipe using other seasonal fruits if strawberries are unavailable.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 danish
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish, Strawberry Puff Pastry Danishes, Valentine Day Desserts, Breakfast Pastry, Easy Cream Cheese Danish, Homemade Danish, Brunch Treats