Strawberry Danish pastries (Printable Format)
Flaky Danish with cream cheese filling and fresh strawberries, baked golden and ready in 45 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Pastry
01 - 1 sheet puff pastry (approximately 9 ounces), thawed if frozen
→ Cream Cheese Filling
02 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
03 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 - 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
→ Strawberry Filling
06 - 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
07 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
08 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch
→ Egg Wash
10 - 1 large egg, beaten
11 - 1 tablespoon milk
→ Optional Glaze
12 - 3/4 cup powdered sugar
13 - 2 to 3 teaspoons milk
14 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - In a small bowl, combine softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Mix until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
03 - In a separate bowl, toss diced strawberries with granulated sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Set the mixture aside.
04 - Roll out the sheet of puff pastry and cut into 8 equal squares. Using a knife, lightly score a 1/2-inch border around each square without cutting all the way through.
05 - Place one tablespoon of cream cheese filling in the center of each pastry square and gently spread within the scored border. Top each with a tablespoon of strawberry mixture.
06 - Combine beaten egg with milk. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the borders of each pastry square with the egg wash.
07 - Transfer the prepared pastries to the baking tray and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
08 - Remove pastries from the oven and cool slightly on a wire rack.
09 - In a bowl, whisk powdered sugar with 2 to 3 teaspoons of milk and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth. Drizzle glaze over cooled pastries as desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- There’s a certain thrill in making bakery-worthy pastries at home with far less effort than you'd expect.
- The blend of tangy cream cheese and sweet strawberries makes each bite lighthearted and comforting.
02 -
- Once, I rushed and didn’t chill the pastry enough—the result was disappointing and soggy, so patience truly pays off.
- Glazing while still warm might seem tempting, but waiting until they’re cooler ensures it sets into beautiful ribbons instead of running off the pastry.
03 -
- Always cut straight down when slicing pastry squares for the puffiest results.
- Adding the cornstarch to the strawberry filling is the unsung hero that keeps things neat and prevents leaks.