Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Strawberry Danish stands out for its ease and reliability, making it perfect for both novice and seasoned bakers alike. Its comforting layers of flavor—creamy, fruity, and buttery—blend beautifully, offering a balanced taste experience. Since it utilizes readily available ingredients, it fits seamlessly into everyday life, whether you’re preparing breakfast for family or serving up snacks for guests.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

• Baking sheet
• Rolling pin
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Pastry brush

Ingredients

• 4 cups sliced strawberries (moisture)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (texture)
• 1 tablespoon sugar (flavor)
• 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature (texture)
• ½ cup powdered sugar (sweetness and texture)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (flavor)
• 2 puff pastry sheets, thawed (structure and flakiness)
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon water (for egg wash)
• 2 – 3 tablespoons sugar for topping, optional (crunch)
• ¼ cup strawberry jam, optional for topping (flavor)
• 1 cup powdered sugar (sweetness)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (flavor)
• 2 – 3 tablespoons milk (moisture)

How to Make Strawberry Danish

Step 1. Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures that when you place your Strawberry Danish in, it cooks evenly and becomes golden brown and crispy. Preheating is an essential step that helps activate the puff pastry correctly.

Step 2. Next, prepare the strawberry filling. In a bowl, combine the sliced strawberries with cornstarch and sugar. Toss everything gently to mix. This mixture should be evenly coated, as the cornstarch helps to thicken the juices released while baking, preventing a soggy pastry.

Step 3. Now, in another bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cream cheese and mix until well combined. The mixture should be creamy and devoid of lumps, which will create a rich filling for your Danish.

Step 4. Unroll the thawed puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface and roll them out slightly to increase their size and flakiness. Cut each sheet into squares or rectangles, ensuring even sizes. This will help in creating uniform pastries that bake evenly.

Step 5. On each pastry square, spoon a bit of the cream cheese mixture into the center, leaving room at the edges. Top these with a generous spoonful of the strawberry mixture. Be careful not to overfill to prevent spills while baking.

Step 6. Fold the corners of the puff pastry squares over the filling to create a pocket or a shape you desire. Use a fork to crimp the edges securely, ensuring that the filling stays inside while baking. This step ensures that the beautiful filling remains intact.

Step 7. Place the assembled pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with the egg wash made from the beaten egg and water, which gives the pastry a lovely golden color, and sprinkle with sugar for added sweetness and crunch, if desired.

Step 8. Bake your pastries in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are puffed up and golden brown. Keep an eye on them; you want that perfect golden hue and flaky texture for the best results.

Step 9. While the Danish are baking, prepare a simple glaze by mixing powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. You want a drizzling consistency that will add sweetness and a nice finish to the pastries once they cool.

Step 10. Once baked, let the pastries cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps maintain their crispiness. After they have cooled slightly, drizzle your prepared glaze over the top, adding both a decorative touch and extra sweetness.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy these Strawberry Danish pastries warm as a charming breakfast option, or serve them at a brunch gathering to impress your friends and family. They can also be a delightful afternoon snack or dessert, pairing beautifully with coffee or tea. Any leftovers can be enjoyed the next day, either at room temperature or warmed slightly for that fresh-baked taste again.

Pro Tips for Best Results

• Ensure your puff pastry is well-thawed before working with it for the best texture.
• Avoid overfilling the pastries to prevent leaking during baking.
• Use freshly sliced strawberries for the best flavor and moisture balance.
• Allow the pastries to cool slightly before drizzling the glaze to prevent it from melting away.
• Experiment with different fruit fillings if you’re feeling adventurous.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not Preheating the Oven: Skipping this step may result in undercooked pastries that don’t rise well. Always preheat to ensure even cooking and proper puffing.
2. Overfilling the Danish: Adding too much filling can cause it to overflow during baking, leading to a messy tray and uneven cooking. Stick to a tablespoon or so for the best results.
3. Not Rolling the Pastry Enough: If puff pastry is not rolled out, it can be too thick and dense after baking. Roll to your desired thickness for a flakier texture.
4. Ignoring Egg Wash: Omitting the egg wash leads to a lackluster finish and pale pastries. This step ensures a beautiful golden color and added sweetness if you sprinkle sugar on top.
5. Using Cold Cream Cheese: Cold cream cheese can create lumps in your filling. Always use room-temperature cream cheese for a smooth, creamy consistency.
6. Not Monitoring Baking Time: Leaving pastries in the oven too long can cause them to burn. It’s vital to check for a golden-brown color around the 15-minute mark to avoid overbaking.

Variations & Substitutions

You can easily switch the fruit for other berries like blueberries or raspberries for a different flavor. If you prefer a more tart filling, consider adding some lemon zest or juice to the cream cheese mixture. For a different glaze, try using almond extract instead of vanilla or incorporate a fruit jam for a burst of flavor.

Storage & Reheating

These pastries can be kept at room temperature for up to a day. For longer storage, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they’ll last for about 3-4 days. If you’d like to freeze them, wrap each pastry tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. When reheating, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to maintain their crispiness.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition information was not provided for this recipe.

Nutrition values are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the filling and pastry separately. Assemble and bake just before serving for the best texture.

How long does it last in the fridge?

The baked pastries will last for about 3-4 days in the refrigerator if stored in an airtight container.

Can I freeze this recipe?

Certainly! You can freeze the unbaked pastries and bake them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

What can I substitute for one ingredient?

If you don’t have powdered sugar, granulated sugar can be used for the cream cheese filling, but the texture may not be as smooth.

Why didn’t my recipe turn out as expected?

Common issues could be due to improperly thawed puff pastry or not monitoring baking time. Ensure ingredients are at the correct temperature and follow the baking instructions closely.

Final Thoughts

Making Strawberry Danish is a rewarding experience that fills your kitchen with wonderful aromas and brings a touch of sweetness to your day. The ease of preparation, combined with the comforting flavors, makes this a recipe you’ll cherish. Whether you are enjoying them warm right out of the oven or sharing them with family and friends, they are sure to bring joy. Remember, baking is all about practice and enjoyment, so don’t stress about perfection. Enjoy the process!

Strawberry Danish

Strawberry Danish is a delightful baked pastry that combines flaky puff pastry with creamy filling and fresh strawberries, perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine American, Baked Goods

Servings 8 servings

Calories 240 kcal

Ingredients

  

Strawberry Filling

• 4 cups sliced strawberries moisture
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch texture
• 1 tablespoon sugar flavor

See also  Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

Cream Cheese Filling

• 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature texture
• ½ cup powdered sugar sweetness and texture
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract flavor

Pastry Ingredients

• 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed structure and flakiness
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon water for egg wash
• 2-3 tablespoons sugar for topping optional, for crunch
• ¼ cup strawberry jam optional for topping, adds flavor

Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar for sweetness
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract for flavor
• 2-3 tablespoons milk for moisture

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• In a bowl, combine sliced strawberries with cornstarch and sugar. Toss gently to mix.
• In another bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
• Unroll the thawed puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface and roll them out slightly. Cut into squares or rectangles.

Assembly

• Spoon a bit of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each pastry square. Top with a spoonful of the strawberry mixture.
• Fold the corners of the pastry squares over the filling and use a fork to crimp the edges.
• Place pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar if desired.

Baking

• Bake pastries in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.
• While baking, prepare a glaze by mixing powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.
• Once baked, let the pastries cool slightly before drizzling with the glaze.

Notes

For best results, ensure puff pastry is well-thawed before working with it. Avoid overfilling to prevent leaks, and use room-temperature cream cheese for a smooth filling.

Keyword Baking, Breakfast Pastry, dessert, Pastry, Strawberry Danish