Introduction

This Strawberry Danish recipe offers a delightful combination of flaky puff pastry, creamy filling, and fresh strawberries. Perfect for a special breakfast or brunch, these pastries are easy to make and sure to impress your family and friends.

A stack of rectangular pastries with golden-brown, flaky crusts forming the bottom and edges. Each pastry has a creamy white layer of cheese filling just inside the crust, topped with vibrant red slices of strawberries arranged to cover the filling. A light glaze or icing is drizzled over the strawberries and crust in thin, white lines, adding a shiny texture. The pastries are placed closely together on a white marbled surface, showing their layered puff pastry texture and glossy fruit topping clearly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 cups sliced strawberries
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon sugar
8 oz. (226 g) cream cheese, room temperature
½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 puff pastry sheets, thawed
1 large egg (lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon water)
2 – 3 tablespoons sugar for topping (optional)
¼ cup (60 ml) strawberry jam (optional for topping)
1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar (for glaze)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
2 – 3 tablespoons (30 – 45 ml) milk (for glaze)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Allow the puff pastry sheets to thaw at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine the sliced strawberries, sugar, and cornstarch. Stir well to coat the strawberries evenly and let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
Step 3: In another bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
Step 4: Unfold one puff pastry sheet and cut it along the folded lines into rectangles. Cut each long rectangle in half to create six smaller rectangles total. Using a small knife, score a ¼-inch border around each rectangle without cutting all the way through.
Step 5: Spread about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture inside each scored border. Layer the strawberries decoratively on top of the cream cheese filling. Brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg mixture. Sprinkle sugar over the danishes if desired.
Step 6: If the puff pastry feels warm or sticky, chill the assembled danishes in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes to help them puff up during baking.
Step 7: Bake the danishes for 20 to 25 minutes until they are lightly golden brown.
Step 8: Let the danishes cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack until they reach room temperature.
Step 9: For topping, warm the strawberry jam and brush it over the danishes. Alternatively, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make a glaze and drizzle it on top of the cooled pastries before serving.

Tips & Variations

Chilling the assembled danishes before baking ensures the pastry puffs beautifully and prevents spreading.
Substitute fresh strawberries with raspberries or blueberries for a different fruity flavor.
For extra richness, mix a little lemon zest into the cream cheese filling.
Use apricot jam instead of strawberry jam for a complementary topping.

Storage

Store leftover danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need to keep them longer, refrigerate for up to 4 days, and warm briefly in a low oven before serving to restore flakiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent soggy pastry.

How to Serve

The image shows a stack of two square pastries with three visible layers of golden-brown, flaky puff pastry at the bottom. On top of the puff pastry is a creamy, off-white layer that looks smooth and rich. Above this creamy layer, there are several shiny, bright red slices of glazed strawberries arranged neatly in the center of the pastry. The edges of the pastry are puffed and crispy with a lightly browned texture. The pastries sit on a white marbled surface with a few small crumbs scattered around. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?

Fresh strawberries are best for texture, but you can use thawed frozen strawberries. Just be sure to drain any excess liquid before assembling to avoid soggy pastry.

What can I use if I don’t have puff pastry sheets?

Puff pastry sheets provide the classic flaky texture needed for danishes. As an alternative, you could try using croissant dough, but the final result will differ slightly in texture and flavor.