Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish
This Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish is a delightful breakfast treat with buttery, flaky puff pastry, a tangy cream cheese filling, and a sweet strawberry jam center. It's an easy-to-make pastry that looks impressive but requires minimal effort—perfect for busy mornings or elegant brunches.
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or fork
- Pastry brush
- Knife or pastry cutter
Ingredients
- 1 sheet of puff pastry thawed
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup strawberry jam
- 1 egg for egg wash
- 1 tbsp water for egg wash
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar for glaze
- 1 –2 tsp milk for glaze
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut it into 6 equal squares.
- Place a spoonful of cream cheese mixture in the center of each square, followed by a small dollop of strawberry jam.
- Slightly fold or pinch the corners inward (optional) to create a rustic shape.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg with water to create an egg wash. Brush the edges of each pastry with the egg wash.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown and puffed.
- While the pastries bake, mix powdered sugar with milk to make a simple glaze.
- Let the pastries cool slightly, then drizzle with glaze before serving.
Notes
You can substitute strawberry jam with raspberry, blueberry, or apricot jam.
For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and a thinner layer of filling.
These danishes taste best fresh but can be reheated in the oven for 5 minutes at 350°F.