Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
Indulge in the delightful charm of these Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes. Featuring flaky, golden puff pastry embracing a creamy, subtly sweet cream cheese filling and fresh strawberries, these treats are a perfect blend of elegance and simplicity. They are ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a special dessert, bringing a touch of homemade bakery magic to any occasion.
Prep Time
20 minutes (plus 30-60 minutes thaw time for puff pastry)
Cook Time
12-15 minutes
Total Time
35-45 minutes (active time; total time including thaw is 1-2 hours)
Servings
Makes 4-6 danishes
Keywords
Strawberry danishcream cheese pastryheart-shaped pastrypuff pastry recipeeasy dessertbrunch recipeValentine's Day treatsfruit danishbreakfast pastryhomemade danish
Why This Recipe Delivers
- Boasts a perfect balance of creamy, tangy filling and light, flaky pastry.
- Achieves a stunning, professional bakery-quality look with minimal effort.
- Customizable with optional pink filling and fruit toppings for visual appeal.
- A versatile treat, ideal for special breakfasts, brunches, or a delightful dessert.
- Quick to assemble, making it a fantastic option for a last-minute indulgence.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet (approximately 250-300 grams / 9-10 ounces) store-bought puff pastry, thawed
- 113 grams (4 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 25 grams (2 tablespoons) white granulated sugar
- 2.5 milliliters (1/2 teaspoon) vanilla extract
- 1-2 drops red food coloring (optional)
- 120 grams (1/2 cup) fresh strawberries, finely diced
- 1 large egg
- 15 milliliters (1 tablespoon) cold water
- Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting or for a simple glaze
- Optional: Milk for a simple glaze
Instructions
- Begin by thawing your puff pastry according to the package directions, which typically involves letting it sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator. This ensures the pastry is pliable and easy to work with without cracking.
- While the pastry thaws, preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper, which will prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the room-temperature cream cheese with the granulated sugar and vanilla extract. Beat these ingredients together until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- If desired, add one small drop of red food coloring to the cream cheese mixture and stir until it achieves a soft, appealing pink hue. This is purely for aesthetic appeal.
- Gently fold in half of the finely diced fresh strawberries into the cream cheese mixture. Reserve the remaining diced strawberries for topping the danishes later. This step allows for a burst of fruit flavor within the filling itself.
- Lightly flour a clean work surface. Carefully unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet and use a rolling pin to lightly roll it, just enough to remove any creases and achieve a uniform thickness.
- Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter (approximately 7.5-10 cm / 3-4 inches), cut out as many hearts as possible from the pastry sheet. Depending on the size of your cutter, you should yield about 4 hearts. Gather any scraps, gently press them together, and re-roll once to cut out additional shapes if desired.
- Choose your preferred method for creating an edge: Option A: Use a smaller heart cutter to lightly press into the center of each large heart, creating an indentation without cutting all the way through. This forms a natural rim. Option B: With a small knife, carefully score a 1.25 cm (1/2-inch) border around the edge of each heart. Again, do not cut all the way through; this scoring will encourage the edges to puff up and contain the filling.
- Spoon or pipe approximately 15-30 milliliters (1-2 tablespoons) of the prepared cream cheese mixture into the center of each pastry heart, ensuring you stay within the defined edge. It is important not to overfill, as the pastry needs room to expand and puff during baking.
- Distribute the reserved diced strawberries evenly over the cream cheese filling in the center of each danish.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the large egg with 15 milliliters (1 tablespoon) of cold water to create an egg wash. Lightly brush the exposed puff pastry edges (the border you created) with this egg wash. Be careful to avoid dripping the wash onto the filling, as it can affect the appearance of the finished product. The egg wash will give the danishes a beautiful golden-brown color and a lovely shine.
- Carefully transfer the prepared danishes to the preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the puff pastry is gorgeously golden-brown and fully puffed, and the cream cheese filling appears set. If your oven has hot spots, rotate the baking sheet halfway through the baking time to ensure even browning.
- Thirteenth Step: Once baked, remove the danishes from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then, gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Fourteenth Step: For an extra touch, once slightly cooled, you may optionally dust the danishes with powdered sugar or drizzle them with a simple glaze made from 120 grams (1/2 cup) powdered sugar mixed with 15-30 milliliters (1-2 tablespoons) of milk until smooth.
Tools You’ll Need
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls (medium and small)
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Rolling pin
- Heart-shaped cookie cutter (7.5-10 cm / 3-4 inches)
- Small knife (optional, for scoring edges)
- Spoon or piping bag
- Pastry brush
- Wire cooling rack
Essential Success Tips
- Ensure your puff pastry is thoroughly thawed but still cold. If it gets too warm, it becomes difficult to handle and may not puff as well. Work quickly to keep it cool.
- Use room-temperature cream cheese for the filling. This ensures a smooth, lump-free mixture that is easy to spread or pipe.
- Do not overfill the danishes. Leaving a clear border allows the pastry to rise properly and creates a 'cup' to hold the delicious filling.
- An even egg wash is crucial for a golden, shiny crust. Be careful not to let it pool or drip onto the filling, as this can create a sticky residue.
- Allow the danishes to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. This helps them firm up and prevents them from breaking.
Professional Cooking Secrets
- To achieve an even flakier crust, place the cut pastry hearts in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before adding the filling and egg wash. This chills the butter in the pastry, promoting a more dramatic puff.
- For an extra layer of flavor and shine, brush the exposed pastry edges with a little melted butter before applying the egg wash. This creates an even richer golden finish.
- Experiment with a touch of citrus zest, like lemon or orange, in the cream cheese filling to brighten the flavors and add a subtle complexity that complements the strawberries beautifully.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat briefly in a toaster oven for best results.
- Variations: In a pinch, two sheets of crescent roll dough can be used as a substitute for puff pastry, though the texture of the finished danishes will be softer and less flaky. For a vegan or dairy-free option, use a high-quality dairy-free cream cheese alternative.
- Glaze Option: For a simple glaze, combine 120 grams (1/2 cup) powdered sugar with 15-30 milliliters (1-2 tablespoons) of milk or lemon juice until smooth and drizzly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare these danishes ahead of time?
You can prepare the cream cheese filling a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. The danishes themselves are best baked fresh, but you can assemble them up to the egg wash step and refrigerate for an hour before baking if needed.
What if I don't have a heart-shaped cookie cutter?
No problem! You can cut the puff pastry into squares or rectangles and proceed with creating a border using the scoring method. The danishes will be equally delicious, just not heart-shaped.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Ensure they are fully thawed and thoroughly drained of any excess liquid before dicing and adding them to the filling or topping. Excess moisture can make the filling watery.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Approximately 300-350 calories per danish, with 5g protein, 20g fat, and 30g carbohydrates.
Allergy Information
Contains dairy (cream cheese) and gluten (puff pastry). For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free cream cheese. For a gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free puff pastry or a gluten-free crescent roll dough alternative, if available.
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