strawberry cream danish, oh how that name conjures up images of flaky pastry, sweet strawberries, and a dreamy creamy filling. It’s a treat that feels both indulgent and bright, perfect for a special breakfast, a delightful brunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up. For me, a strawberry cream danish is more than just a pastry; it’s a memory of sunny mornings spent at my grandmother’s kitchen, the aroma of baking filling the air. This recipe aims to capture that magic, bringing a little piece of pure joy right to your own home.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This strawberry cream danish Recipe
This strawberry cream danish recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, offering a symphony of textures and flavors. The buttery, flaky puff pastry is the perfect canvas for the luscious, tangy cream cheese filling and the vibrant sweetness of fresh strawberries. It’s a comfort food that doesn’t feel heavy, making it ideal for any occasion.
What truly sets this recipe apart is its surprising ease of preparation. You can achieve bakery-quality results with minimal fuss, proving that you don’t need to be a pastry chef to create something truly special. And if you’re interested in a dairy-free twist, you might also enjoy this vegan strawberry danish recipe for a plant-based alternative.
Ingredients Needed for This strawberry cream danish Recipe
For the Dough:
- 1 sheet (approximately 9.5 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Topping:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk or lemon juice
How to Make This strawberry cream danish Recipe
- 1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2. Gently unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Cut the pastry into four equal squares.
- 3. Using a sharp knife, lightly score a border about 1/2 inch from the edge of each square, being careful not to cut all the way through. This will create a frame for the filling.
- 4. In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. This forms your delicious cream cheese danish base.
- 5. Divide the cream cheese mixture evenly among the center of each puff pastry square, spreading it within the scored border.
- 6. Arrange the sliced strawberries over the cream cheese filling. In a separate small bowl, toss the strawberries with 1 tablespoon of sugar and the lemon juice to create a simple, sweet topping.
- 7. Carefully transfer the prepared danishes to the lined baking sheet.
- 8. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and puffed up.
- 9. While the danishes are baking, prepare the optional glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar and milk or lemon juice until smooth.
- 10. Once baked, remove the danishes from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet.
- 11. Drizzle with the optional glaze before serving for an extra touch of sweetness.
How to Serve This strawberry cream danish Recipe
These delightful strawberry cream danish treats are best served warm, allowing the flavors to truly meld. They are absolutely wonderful on their own, but can also be elevated with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For a complete brunch spread, pair them with a side of fresh fruit salad or a light yogurt parfait. They also make an elegant accompaniment to your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
How to Store This strawberry cream danish Recipe
Leftover strawberry cream danish can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The pastry may lose some of its crispness over time. For longer storage, you can freeze the unglazed danishes. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Reheat them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5-10 minutes until warmed through and the pastry is crisp again.
Tips to Make This strawberry cream danish Recipe
To ensure your puff pastry bakes up beautifully, make sure it’s fully thawed but still cold. Overworked or warm pastry won’t achieve that desirable flaky texture. If you don’t have fresh strawberries, a good quality strawberry jam or compote can be substituted for the topping, though fresh berries offer a brighter flavor. For an extra decadent cream cheese danish, consider adding a touch of lemon zest to the cream cheese filling.
Helpful Notes for This strawberry cream danish Recipe
Puff pastry can be delicate; handle it with care to avoid tearing. If you find the pastry browning too quickly before it’s fully cooked, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil. The lemon juice in the strawberry topping helps to enhance their natural sweetness and prevent them from becoming mushy. This recipe is quite forgiving, so feel free to adjust the sweetness to your personal preference.
Variation of This strawberry cream danish Recipe
This strawberry cream danish is wonderfully versatile. In the fall, you could swap the strawberries for sliced apples or pears sautéed with cinnamon for a warm, spiced danish. Blueberries or raspberries are also delicious alternatives to strawberries. For a richer filling, you could mix a little heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture before baking.
FAQs About This strawberry cream danish Recipe
Q: Can I use homemade puff pastry?
A: While homemade puff pastry is delicious, store-bought puff pastry is incredibly convenient and yields excellent results for this recipe.
Q: My cream cheese filling is too thin. What can I do?
A: Ensure your cream cheese is properly softened but not melted. If it’s still too thin, you can add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the filling mixture and whisk well.
Q: Can I make the strawberry cream danish ahead of time?
A: You can prepare the cream cheese filling and wash and slice the strawberries a day in advance. Assemble and bake the danishes closer to serving for the best texture.
Conclusion
There’s nothing quite like the joy of enjoying a warm, flaky strawberry cream danish fresh from the oven. With its buttery pastry, creamy filling, and sweet strawberry topping, this recipe turns simple ingredients into a truly special treat. Whether you serve it for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon break, it’s guaranteed to bring smiles and cozy moments to your table.
For more easy pastries, sweet breakfast ideas, and everyday baking inspiration, be sure to visit and follow my Pinterest account “Recipes Charming.” You’ll find plenty of delicious recipes to brighten your mornings and make every bite memorable.