Description
Delight in this easy-to-make Strawberry Danish recipe featuring flaky puff pastry filled with a creamy sweetened cream cheese filling paired with fresh, tangy strawberries. Perfect for a quick breakfast treat or a light dessert, these Danish pastries bake to golden perfection with a sweet sugar topping and a glossy egg wash finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
Cream Cheese Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Strawberry Topping
- ½ cup fresh strawberries, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Finishing Touches
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it is hot and ready for baking the Danish pastries.
- Prepare the Puff Pastry: Unfold or roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet and cut it into four equal squares on a lightly floured surface.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
- Assemble the Danish: Place a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each puff pastry square, leaving about a 1/2 inch border around the edges.
- Add Strawberry Mixture: In a separate bowl, toss the chopped strawberries with lemon juice. Spoon a spoonful of this mixture over the cream cheese filling on each pastry square.
- Fold the Pastry: Bring the corners of each pastry square inward toward the center, gently pinching the edges to form a neat envelope shape, allowing some filling to show.
- Egg Wash and Sugar Topping: Brush each folded pastry with the beaten egg to create a golden glaze, then sprinkle with granulated sugar for a sweet, crunchy finish.
- Bake: Transfer the prepared pastries to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Make sure the puff pastry is thawed but still cold to handle easily and puff well during baking.
- You can substitute cream cheese with mascarpone for a milder flavor.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best taste; frozen strawberries are not recommended as they release too much moisture.
- The egg wash helps the pastry develop a shiny, golden crust and helps sugar stick to the surface.
- These Danish pastries are best enjoyed the day they are baked but can be stored airtight for up to 2 days.
