Strawberry Danish Pastries are a heavenly combination of flaky puff pastry, creamy sweetened cheese, and fresh strawberries. These pastries are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert and look just as impressive as they taste. With a simple prep and bakery-style results, this recipe will walk you through making these delightful treats from scratch (using store-bought puff pastry for ease!).
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Strawberry Danish Pastries
Effortless Elegance: They look bakery-perfect but are made with simple ingredients and steps.
Crispy & Creamy: The contrast of flaky pastry and smooth cream cheese filling is irresistibly good.
Seasonal & Sweet: A great way to showcase fresh strawberries at their peak.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep the components in advance for easy morning baking.
Ingredients You’ll Need
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Puff pastry sheet | 1 sheet, thawed |
| Cream cheese | 4 oz (113g) |
| Granulated sugar | 1/4 cup (50g) |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
| Fresh strawberries | 1 cup, sliced |
| Strawberry jam | 1 tbsp (optional) |
| Egg | 1 (for egg wash) |
| Powdered sugar | As needed (optional, for dusting) |
How to Make Strawberry Danish Pastries
Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
- In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Prepare the Puff Pastry
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Lightly flour your surface and roll out the puff pastry. Cut it into 6 equal rectangles.
Step 3: Assemble the Pastries
- Place a spoonful of the cream cheese filling in the center of each rectangle.
- Top with a few slices of strawberry.
- Fold in the corners slightly to encase the filling, pressing gently to hold.
Step 4: Bake
- Brush the pastry edges with beaten egg.
- Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 18–20 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.
Step 5: Add Finishing Touches
- Optional: Warm the strawberry jam and brush over the strawberry topping for a glossy finish.
- Let the pastries cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Expert Tips for Success
Keep Pastry Cold: Puff pastry works best when cold. Chill it if it gets too soft while working.
Don’t Overfill: A small amount of filling goes a long way — too much can cause leaking.
Use Ripe Berries: Choose sweet, firm strawberries for the best flavor and texture.
Try Other Fruits: You can swap strawberries with blueberries, raspberries, or peaches.
Health and Nutrition
While Strawberry Danish Pastries are a treat, here’s a general idea of what to expect nutritionally (per pastry):
- Calories: ~300
- Carbs: ~34g
- Fat: ~17g
- Sugar: ~12g
- Protein: ~4g
Note: Values vary depending on your exact ingredients and portion sizes. Enjoy in moderation.
FAQs
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble and refrigerate them unbaked for up to 12 hours. Bake fresh in the morning for best texture.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Not recommended — they release too much water and can make the pastry soggy.
Can I freeze the baked pastries?
Yes. Freeze them in a single layer, then reheat in the oven for crispness.
What other toppings can I use?
Try sliced almonds, a cream cheese drizzle, or a lemon glaze for variety.
Are these pastries suitable for a crowd?
Absolutely — just double the recipe and use both sheets of puff pastry.
Can I make these dairy-free?
You can try using dairy-free cream cheese and vegan puff pastry.
Strawberry Danish Pastries
Ingredients
- Puff pastry thawed – 1 sheet
- Cream cheese – 4 oz
- Granulated sugar – 2 tbsp
- Vanilla extract – 1/2 tsp
- Fresh strawberries – 1 cup sliced
- Egg for egg wash – 1
- Optional: lemon zest powdered sugar for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet.
- Cut puff pastry into 8 squares and slightly fold edges.
- Mix cream cheese, sugar, vanilla (and optional lemon zest).
- Spread cheese mixture on pastry centers.
- Top with sliced strawberries.
- Brush edges with egg wash.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes until golden.
- Cool and dust with powdered sugar if desired.