Tired of complicated pastries that never turn out like the bakery versions? Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes are the answer to your sweet breakfast dilemmas! These delightful pastries deliver buttery, flaky layers wrapped around sweet-tart strawberry filling and velvety cream cheese that truly melt in your mouth with every bite.
Hi, I’m Michael, the heart behind FoodyDish! As someone who’s been perfecting these strawberry cream cheese danishes for family brunches over many years, I’ve discovered the secrets to creating bakery-quality pastries right in your home kitchen. The joy on people’s faces when they bite into these warm, freshly-baked danishes is exactly why I love sharing recipes like this.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through selecting the perfect ingredients, preparing your dough for maximum flakiness, creating that perfect strawberry cream cheese filling, and troubleshooting common danish-making challenges. Let’s create something delicious that brings everyone to the table!
Why These Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes Work
● Uses store-bought puff pastry for convenience and consistent results
● Requires just 15 minutes of prep time before baking
● Perfect for weekend brunches, special breakfasts, or impressive desserts
● Balances sweet strawberries with tangy cream cheese for flavor perfection
● Can be made ahead and baked fresh when needed
Choosing the Right Ingredients for Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes
Best Pastry Options for This Recipe
For truly exceptional strawberry cream cheese danishes, all-butter puff pastry delivers the most authentic, flaky texture. Look for brands that list butter (not shortening) as a primary ingredient. If you’re short on time, refrigerated crescent dough sheets work as a quick alternative, though with slightly different results.
Cream Cheese Selection
Philadelphia-style cream cheese (full-fat) yields the creamiest, most stable filling that won’t liquify during baking. Allow it to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before mixing for the smoothest incorporation of flavors.
Strawberry Options
Fresh strawberries deliver bright flavor in spring and summer, while good-quality strawberry preserves work wonderfully year-round. For fresh berries, choose firm, fragrant fruit with deep red color throughout.
Ingredients & Prep for Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes
Pastry Preparation Essentials
- Thaw puff pastry according to package directions (typically 30-40 minutes at room temperature)
- Keep pastry cold until ready to use
- Dust work surface lightly with flour to prevent sticking
- Use a sharp knife or pastry wheel for clean cuts
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- Zest of half a lemon (optional for brightness)
Strawberry Components
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced OR
- ⅔ cup high-quality strawberry preserves
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (if using fresh berries)
- 2 tbsp sugar (if using fresh berries)
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes
Pre-Cooking Prep for Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and egg yolk until smooth and creamy.
- If using fresh strawberries, combine diced berries with sugar and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until thickened, then cool completely.
- Unfold thawed puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface and gently roll to smooth out creases.
Shaping Your Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes
- Cut pastry into 3-4 inch squares or use a round cutter for circular danishes.
- Create a border by scoring a smaller square or circle inside each piece, about ½ inch from the edge (don’t cut all the way through).
- Prick the inner portion with a fork several times to prevent it from rising too much.
- Place a tablespoon of cream cheese mixture in the center of each danish.
- Top with a spoonful of strawberry preserves or cooled strawberry mixture.
Baking Perfect Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes
- Optional egg wash: Beat one egg with 1 tablespoon water and brush on pastry edges for golden color.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Finishing Your Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes
- While danishes are still warm, prepare a simple glaze by mixing 1 cup powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons milk.
- Drizzle glaze over warm danishes in a zigzag pattern.
- Allow glaze to set for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips for Perfect Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes
Avoiding Common Danish Mistakes
- Keep puff pastry cold at all times for maximum flakiness
- Don’t overfill danishes use about 1 tablespoon each of cream cheese and strawberry filling
- If cream cheese filling seems too runny, refrigerate for 15 minutes before using
- Ensure oven is fully preheated before baking to achieve proper lift in the pastry
Tool Recommendations
- Pastry wheel or sharp knife for clean cutting
- Silicone pastry brush for egg wash application
- Cookie scoop for consistent filling portions
- Cooling rack for proper setting
Storage & Reheating
- Store baked danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days
- For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days
- Reheat in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore flakiness (avoid microwave which causes sogginess)
For more delicious pastry inspiration, check out our collection on Pinterest where we share mouthwatering photos and recipe ideas daily!
Flavor Variations for Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes
Fruit Alternatives
- Mixed Berry Blast: Combine strawberries with blueberries and raspberries
- Peach Perfection: Swap strawberries for fresh peach slices and a sprinkle of cinnamon
- Apple Cinnamon: Replace strawberries with cooked cinnamon apples for a fall favorite
Cream Cheese Enhancements
- Lemon Zest: Add 1 tablespoon lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture for brightness
- Almond: Include ¼ teaspoon almond extract and top with sliced almonds
- Maple: Substitute 1 tablespoon of sugar with pure maple syrup
| Variation | Cream Cheese Base | Fruit Topping | Special Additions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | Regular cream cheese | Strawberry preserves | Vanilla extract |
| Citrus Burst | Lemon-zested cream cheese | Fresh strawberries | Orange glaze |
| Berry Medley | Regular cream cheese | Mixed berries | Sprinkle of turbinado sugar |
| Nutty Delight | Vanilla cream cheese | Strawberry preserves | Chopped pistachios |
Serving Suggestions for Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes
- Pair with fresh fruit salad for a balanced breakfast
- Serve alongside scrambled eggs and crispy bacon for a complete brunch
- Offer with hot coffee, tea, or a glass of cold milk
- For dessert, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and extra strawberry sauce
- Create a breakfast board with danishes as the centerpiece, surrounded by yogurt parfaits and fruit
FAQs About Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes
Can I make these danishes ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare them up to the point of baking, then refrigerate overnight. Simply remove from the refrigerator while the oven preheats, then bake as directed, adding 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
Why did my cream cheese filling become runny during baking?
This typically happens if the filling was too warm or if too much sugar was added. Make sure your cream cheese is softened but still cool, and don’t skip the egg yolk which helps stabilize the mixture.
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Thaw and drain frozen strawberries well, then cook with sugar and cornstarch as you would fresh berries. Pat them dry before adding to avoid excess moisture.
How do I know when my danishes are properly baked?
Look for golden brown edges and a fully puffed appearance. The bottom should be lightly browned and firm, not soggy. If in doubt, it’s better to bake an extra minute or two.
Conclusion
These Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes bring a touch of bakery magic right to your kitchen. With their flaky exteriors, creamy centers, and sweet-tart strawberry flavor, they’re bound to become a breakfast favorite for special occasions or weekend treats.
I hope you’ll try this recipe and experience the joy of pulling these golden beauties from your oven. There’s nothing quite like the pride of creating something so delicious from scratch! Tag #FoodyDish in your danish photos I’d love to see your creations!
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Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes: Melt-in-Your-Mouth Magic!
- Total Time: 33 mins
- Yield: 6 danishes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Flaky, golden danishes filled with sweetened cream cheese and juicy strawberry filling a bakery-style pastry that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
Ingredients
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup strawberry pie filling or strawberry preserves
1 egg
1 tbsp milk
Powdered sugar for glaze (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll out puff pastry and cut into 6 equal squares.
3. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Score a small border around each pastry square without cutting through.
5. Spread cream cheese mixture in the center of each square.
6. Top with strawberry filling.
7. Whisk egg and milk together and brush edges of pastry.
8. Bake for 15–18 minutes until puffed and golden.
9. Cool slightly and drizzle with powdered sugar glaze if desired.
Notes
Fresh chopped strawberries can be used instead of pie filling.
Try blueberry or raspberry filling for variety.
Best enjoyed warm but can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 18 mins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 danish
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: strawberry cream cheese danish, easy danish recipe, puff pastry dessert, breakfast pastry