Easy Homemade Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish: A Flaky Puff Pastry Delight

Indulge in the irresistible charm of homemade Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish, a delightful pastry that brings a gourmet touch to any morning or evening. With flaky puff pastry, a luscious vanilla cream cheese filling, and an abundance of fresh, juicy strawberries, these danishes are a true celebration of flavor and texture. Perfect for a leisurely summer brunch, a special breakfast treat, or an elegant dessert, you won’t believe how simple it is to create these bakery-quality delights in your own kitchen.

What makes these strawberry danishes truly remarkable is their incredible versatility and the sheer ease of preparation. Utilizing store-bought frozen puff pastry, you can achieve a sophisticated pastry experience in approximately 30 minutes of active cooking time. Imagine impressing your family and friends with freshly baked danishes that taste as if they came from a high-end patisserie, all without spending hours in the kitchen. This recipe is designed for both novice bakers and seasoned pros seeking a quick, yet exquisite, treat.

The Magic of Homemade Strawberry Danish: Quick & Delicious

There’s something uniquely satisfying about homemade pastries, and these Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish truly embody that feeling. Forget complicated dough recipes and lengthy proofing times. Our secret lies in the clever use of frozen puff pastry, transforming what seems like an intricate baking project into a remarkably simple 30-minute endeavor. Once thawed, the puff pastry sheets are effortlessly shaped, filled with a creamy, sweet mixture, and topped with vibrant strawberries before baking to golden perfection. The combination of sweet strawberries and tangy cream cheese is a classic for a reason, creating a harmonious balance that’s ideal for a bright summer brunch or a comforting dessert any time of the year. While fresh strawberries are undeniably delicious, don’t hesitate to experiment with other fruits to suit the season and your palate, making these danishes a year-round favorite.

Achieving a bakery-quality danish at home might seem intimidating, but this recipe demystifies the process. The beauty of using frozen puff pastry is that it takes care of the most time-consuming step—preparing the laminated dough—allowing you to focus on the enjoyable aspects of assembly and flavoring. This means less stress and more time to savor your delicious creations. Whether you’re hosting a gathering, looking for a delightful weekend project, or simply craving a sweet treat, these strawberry danishes offer a perfect blend of simplicity and gourmet appeal.

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Strawberry Danish

Crafting the perfect Strawberry Danish starts with understanding the role of each key ingredient. While the recipe is straightforward, selecting and preparing your components thoughtfully will elevate your danish from good to absolutely extraordinary.

• Premium Puff Pastry: The foundation of our flaky danish! Always opt for high-quality frozen puff pastry, as its delicate layers are crucial for that signature airy, crisp texture. For best results, thaw it slowly in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures the dough remains chilled and easy to handle, preventing it from becoming sticky or losing its delicate layers when you work with it. A well-chilled dough will puff beautifully in the oven, giving you that coveted light and crisp texture.
• Softened Cream Cheese: The heart of the luscious filling. Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing. This is crucial for achieving a smooth, lump-free, and incredibly creamy consistency when combined with powdered sugar and vanilla. A well-mixed, soft filling is not only easier to pipe but also creates a more enjoyable, luxurious mouthfeel in the finished pastry.
• Fresh, Vibrant Strawberries: The star of the show! Choose ripe, firm strawberries for the best flavor and appearance. Slice them relatively thin – about 1/8 to 1/4 inch – so they cook evenly, release their juices beautifully without making the pastry soggy, and are easy to bite into without sliding off the danish. While strawberries are fantastic, feel free to get creative with other berries like blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries, or even thinly sliced peaches or kiwi for a seasonal twist.
• Brightening Egg Wash: This simple mixture of a beaten egg and a touch of water serves multiple purposes. Brushing it over the exposed puff pastry before baking gives the danishes a gorgeous, golden-brown sheen that looks professionally done. It also acts as a natural adhesive, helping the coarse sugar stick to the edges, adding a delightful crunch and extra sweetness to every bite.
• Fine Powdered Sugar: Essential for both the cream cheese filling and the elegant glaze. Powdered sugar, also known as confectioners’ sugar, dissolves quickly, ensuring a smooth texture in your filling and a silky, drizzle-able glaze without any grittiness. Its fine consistency provides a subtle sweetness that complements the fruit and cream cheese without overwhelming their natural flavors.
• Creamy Milk: Used to thin down the powdered sugar into a perfect glaze consistency. Start with a small amount (1 tablespoon initially) and gradually add more, drop by drop, until you reach a consistency that is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still thin enough to drizzle beautifully and evenly over your baked danishes. The type of milk (dairy or non-dairy) can be adjusted to your preference.
• Sparkling Coarse Raw Sugar (Optional but Recommended): This adds a beautiful sparkle and textural contrast to the golden crust of the danish. Its larger crystals don’t melt away entirely during baking, providing a satisfying sugary crunch around the edges that enhances the overall experience.

Mastering Homemade Strawberry Danish: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating these exquisite Strawberry Danish is a surprisingly simple process, especially when armed with a few clever tips. Follow these detailed steps to ensure your pastries turn out perfectly flaky, creamy, and utterly delicious every time.

1. Prepare Your Workspace and Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature is crucial for encouraging the puff pastry to rise rapidly and achieve its signature flakiness. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking; this also makes cleanup a breeze. Lightly flour a clean, flat surface, such as a large cutting board or countertop, for unfolding and cutting your puff pastry.
2. Handle and Cut the Puff Pastry: Carefully unfold your thawed puff pastry sheets onto the lightly floured surface. It’s important that the pastry is chilled but pliable – not frozen solid and brittle, nor overly warm and sticky. Use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to cut along the existing fold marks, dividing each sheet into three equal-sized strips. Then, cut each strip in half crosswise to create a total of six uniform rectangles per sheet of pastry. Gently transfer these rectangles to your prepared baking sheet, ensuring at least an inch of space between each danish to allow for proper expansion during baking.
3. Score and Prepare the Pastry Squares: This step is key to achieving the classic danish shape and creating a perfect well for the filling. Using a small, sharp paring knife, gently score a line approximately 1/2 inch inside the perimeter of each rectangle. The goal is to make a visible indentation without cutting all the way through the dough. This scoring creates a border that will puff up higher during baking, forming a natural pocket for your filling. Next, use a fork to poke several holes (a process known as docking) within the scored inner rectangle. This prevents the center from rising too much, keeping it flat to hold the cream cheese and strawberries securely.
4. Craft the Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the room-temperature cream cheese, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat the ingredients together until the mixture is light, airy, and completely smooth. There should be no lumps of cream cheese visible. Taste and adjust sweetness if desired. Transfer this fluffy filling into a piping bag (or a sturdy zip-top bag with one corner snipped off) for easy and neat application.
5. Fill and Top Your Danish: Pipe or spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the prepared cream cheese mixture into the center of each scored puff pastry rectangle. Spread it gently within the docked area, making sure it stays within the scored lines. Arrange the thinly sliced fresh strawberries artfully over the cream cheese filling. Don’t overload them, as too much moisture from the fruit can affect the pastry’s crispness.
6. Apply Egg Wash and Sugar: In a small bowl, whisk together one large egg with one tablespoon of water to create your egg wash. This mixture will give your danishes a professional finish. Using a pastry brush, gently brush the exposed outer edges of the puff pastry with the egg wash. This will give them a beautiful golden sheen and help with browning. For an added touch of sparkle and crunch, sprinkle a generous amount of coarse raw sugar over the egg-washed borders.
7. Bake to Golden Perfection: Carefully place the baking sheet with your danishes into the preheated 400°F (200°C) oven. Bake for approximately 15-18 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed, golden brown, and the edges are beautifully caramelized. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes, as oven temperatures can vary and puff pastry can brown quickly.
8. Prepare the Glaze: While the danishes are baking, prepare the simple vanilla glaze. In another small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and one tablespoon of milk. Stir until completely smooth. The consistency should be pourable yet thick enough to leave a light coating on the danish. If it’s too thick, add a few more drops of milk; if too thin, stir in a tiny bit more powdered sugar until the desired consistency is achieved.
9. Cool and Drizzle: Once baked, carefully remove the danishes from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes. This cooling period allows them to set slightly before glazing. Once slightly cooled, generously drizzle the vanilla glaze over the tops of the danishes. Serve warm or at room temperature and savor every flaky, fruity bite!

Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe Card

Here’s a concise overview of this delightful Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish recipe, perfect for a quick reference:

Recipe Details

• Author: The Carefree Kitchen
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
• Total Time: Approximately 30 minutes
• Yields: 12 pastries
• Course: Breakfast, Dessert
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Puff Pastry:

• 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed (ensure they are chilled but pliable)

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, thinly sliced

For the Egg Wash:

• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 tablespoons coarse raw sugar (for sprinkling)

For the Glaze:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons milk (adjust for desired consistency)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Prepare Puff Pastry: Unfold thawed puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet along the fold marks into three equal strips, then cut each strip in half to create 6 rectangles (12 total). Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each.
3. Score and Dock Pastry: Using a paring knife, lightly score a line about 1/2 inch inside the edge of each rectangle, being careful not to cut all the way through. Poke several holes with a fork in the center (within the scored area) of each pastry.
4. Make Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, beat together room-temperature cream cheese, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Transfer the filling to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off.
5. Fill Danish: Pipe or spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the cream cheese filling into the center of each pastry rectangle, spreading it within the docked area. Arrange the thinly sliced strawberries over the cream cheese.
6. Apply Egg Wash: Whisk together 1 large egg and 1 tablespoon water for the egg wash. Brush the exposed puff pastry edges with the egg wash, then sprinkle with coarse raw sugar.
7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the danishes are golden brown and puffed.
8. Prepare Glaze: While danishes bake, whisk together 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons milk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and drizzle-able.
9. Glaze and Serve: Remove danishes from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Drizzle the prepared glaze over the tops. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutritional Information (Estimated per pastry)

• Calories: 349 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 23g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0.002g
• Cholesterol: 35mg
• Sodium: 169mg
• Potassium: 75mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 13g
• Vitamin A: 278 IU
• Vitamin C: 7mg
• Calcium: 29mg
• Iron: 1mg

Disclaimer: Nutritional values are provided as an estimation only and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Danish

Here are answers to some common questions you might have when making these delicious Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish:

Can I prepare Strawberry Danish ahead of time?

Absolutely! These danishes are fantastic for meal prep or for preparing for a special occasion. You can assemble them up to 2 days in advance and store them, unbaked, in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, simply transfer them directly to a preheated oven and add a few extra minutes to the baking time if they are very cold. For longer storage, you can even freeze the assembled, unbaked danishes for up to 2 months. Just be sure to thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before baking the next day to ensure even cooking.

What’s the best way to store leftover homemade Danish?

Due to the cream cheese filling, it’s essential to store any leftover baked danishes in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to 4 days. While they are delicious cold, for the best experience and to revive their flakiness, reheat them briefly in a preheated oven (around 350°F or 175°C) or a toaster oven until the puff pastry regains some of its crispness and warmth.

Can I use an alternative to puff pastry?

Yes, if you don’t have frozen puff pastry on hand, refrigerated crescent roll dough makes a decent substitute in a pinch. Carefully unroll the crescent dough sheets and press the perforations together to create a solid sheet. You can then gently roll over these seams with a rolling pin to ensure they are sealed and create a more uniform surface. Proceed with cutting and preparing the dough as directed in the recipe, noting that the texture will be slightly different from traditional puff pastry – it will be softer and less flaky, but still delicious!

What are some other fruit variations I can try?

While strawberries are classic, these danishes are wonderfully adaptable to various fruits! Try thinly sliced peaches, ripe kiwi, fresh blueberries, or a medley of mixed berries (raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries) for different flavor profiles. For a delicious fall twist, sautéed apples with a touch of cinnamon would be divine. The key is to use fruit that isn’t excessively watery to maintain the pastry’s integrity and prevent a soggy bottom.

How can I make this recipe even faster for busy mornings?

To significantly speed up the process on baking day, ensure your puff pastry is thawed overnight in the fridge so it’s ready to go immediately. You can also prepare the cream cheese filling a day in advance and store it in a piping bag in the refrigerator, ready to be squeezed onto the pastry. Slice your strawberries just before assembly to keep them fresh and vibrant. With these shortcuts, you can have fresh, warm danishes on the table in under 20 minutes of active work, making them perfect for a quick breakfast or last-minute treat!

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions for Your Danish

• Refrigerator Storage (Baked): Store any leftover baked Strawberry Danish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For optimal flakiness, briefly warm them in a preheated oven (350°F / 175°C) or toaster oven before serving.
• Freezer Storage (Unbaked): For long-term planning, you can freeze assembled, unbaked danishes for up to 2 months. To do this, place the assembled danishes on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (this prevents them from sticking together). Once solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before baking as per recipe instructions the following day.
• Freezer Storage (Baked): Baked danishes can also be frozen for the same duration. Allow them to cool completely before freezing in an airtight container. When ready to enjoy, reheat them in a preheated oven to help restore their delicate, flaky texture and warm the filling.

Serving Suggestions and Perfect Pairings

These delectable Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in various settings. For a truly indulgent breakfast or brunch, serve them alongside a fresh fruit salad, crispy bacon or sausage, and a steaming cup of coffee, a vibrant herbal tea, or a refreshing mimosa. They also make an exquisite light dessert, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. Consider serving them at an afternoon tea party, where their elegant appearance and delightful taste will surely impress your guests. Their vibrant red strawberries make them particularly fitting for holiday gatherings, Valentine’s Day, or any festive occasion. Don’t forget, while these pastries are best enjoyed fresh, their ability to be made ahead of time makes them a perfect stress-free option for entertaining.

Explore More Delicious Puff Pastry Creations

Puff pastry is a baker’s best friend, capable of transforming simple ingredients into impressive treats with minimal effort. If you loved these Strawberry Danish, you’ll surely enjoy exploring other recipes that highlight the versatility of puff pastry:

• Classic Cream Cheese Danish
• Tangy Raspberry Danish
• Sweet Blueberry Danish
• Comforting Apple Danish
• Irresistible Cinnamon Twists with Puff Pastry
• Decadent Caramel Cream Cheese Puff Pastry
• Savory Cheese Twists with Puff Pastry
• Elegant Brie and Fig Puff Pastry Appetizer
• Flavorful Pesto and Parmesan Puff Pastry
• Discover more delightful Dessert Recipes
• Browse more inspiring Breakfast Recipes
• Don’t miss our Strawberry Cream Scones or this classic Strawberry Shortcake for more strawberry pastry ideas!

Final Thoughts on Your Homemade Strawberry Danish

Whether served for a special occasion or as an everyday indulgence, these homemade Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish are guaranteed to be a hit. Their buttery, flaky crust, sweet and tangy cream cheese filling, and fresh strawberries create a symphony of flavors and textures that is simply irresistible. Thanks to the magic of frozen puff pastry, achieving this gourmet delight is easier than you think, making it a perfect recipe to add to your baking repertoire. Enjoy the process of creating these beautiful pastries, and most importantly, enjoy every delicious bite!