Table of Contents
Introduction: Your New Go-To Treat
Prepare to fall in love with your new favorite pastry! These Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes are a symphony of textures and flavors – from the shatteringly crisp, golden puff pastry to the rich, tangy cream cheese filling, all crowned with a sweet burst of strawberry jam. Each bite is a little parcel of pure bliss, perfect for a special breakfast, a delightful brunch centerpiece, or an elegant dessert. They’re impressive enough for guests but surprisingly simple to make, even for a beginner baker. See more easy recipes that deliver big flavor with minimal fuss, just like these!
My personal connection to these pastries runs deep. Growing up, Danish pastries were a rare and treasured treat, often reserved for holidays. The way the flaky layers would practically melt in your mouth, combined with the creamy, sweet center, always left a lasting impression. This recipe is my modern homage to those cherished memories, reimagined with a charming heart shape that makes them even more irresistible. Trust me, once you master these, you’ll be making them for every occasion, big or small.
Why This Recipe Works
- Crispy, Flaky Perfection: We utilize store-bought puff pastry, making achieving those coveted, airy layers effortless and foolproof without hours of labor.
- Balanced Sweetness and Tang: The cream cheese filling strikes the perfect balance between rich and light, with a hint of lemon zest cutting through the sweetness of the sugar and jam.
- Visually Stunning & Heartfelt: The heart shape isn’t just adorable; it creates a natural pocket for the luscious filling and makes these Danishes special for any celebration or just because.
- Versatile & Customizable: While strawberries are divine, the core recipe can be adapted with various jams or fruit fillings, offering endless possibilities for seasonal variations.
Ingredients and Smart Substitutions
Here is what you need and why:
Puff Pastry: For these delightful Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes, store-bought puff pastry is your absolute best friend. It’s a huge time-saver and delivers consistently perfect, flaky results. Brands like Pepperidge Farm are widely available and perform beautifully. Don’t be tempted to make your own unless you genuinely enjoy the challenge – the convenience here is unmatched!
Cream Cheese: Always opt for full-fat cream cheese for the creamiest, richest filling. Low-fat varieties contain more water, which can make your filling runny and impact both texture and flavor. Ensure it’s softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free blend.
Granulated Sugar: This is our primary sweetener for the cream cheese filling. Its fine crystals dissolve easily, contributing to a silky texture. While you could technically use powdered sugar, granulated sugar offers a slightly cleaner sweetness here.
Vanilla Extract: A good quality pure vanilla extract really elevates the flavor of the cream cheese filling. Don’t skimp on this! It adds a warm, aromatic depth that complements the fruit beautifully.
Lemon Zest: This is one of the secret ingredients that makes these Danishes sing! The bright, zesty notes of fresh lemon zest cut through the richness of the cream cheese and enhance the sweetness of the strawberries, preventing the pastry from tasting cloyingly sweet.
Strawberry Jam: Whether you choose a high-quality store-bought jam or your favorite homemade preserve, make sure it’s a good consistency – not too watery, not too thick. A good fruit spread with real fruit pieces works wonderfully. For the best flavor, look for a jam that highlights the natural sweetness and slight tartness of strawberries. For some fantastic jam options, check out King Arthur Baking’s Strawberry Jam recipes.
Egg Wash: A simple mixture of egg and a splash of milk or water, brushed over the pastry before baking, is crucial for achieving that irresistible golden-brown color and a beautiful, shiny finish. It also helps seal the pastry edges.
How to Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
Follow these step-by-step instructions to create these delightful pastries:
1. Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened full-fat cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is completely smooth, creamy, and free of lumps. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well incorporated. This step is crucial for a luscious, even filling.
2. Unroll and Cut the Puff Pastry
Carefully unroll your thawed puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface or parchment paper. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the pastry into 3-inch squares. If your pastry comes in a standard rectangle, you’ll likely get 9 squares per sheet. Be mindful not to press down too hard, you want to maintain the layers.
3. Form the Heart Shapes
Take one pastry square. Fold it in half diagonally to form a triangle. Using kitchen shears, make a small cut approximately 1/2 inch from the point on the folded edge, but do not cut all the way through the corner. Repeat on the other side of the folded edge, creating two inward cuts that meet near the corner, forming a heart shape when unfolded. Alternatively, you can use a heart-shaped cookie cutter for easier, more consistent shapes.
4. Fill and Seal the Danishes
Unfold your pastry heart. Place about 1-2 teaspoons of the cream cheese filling in the center of the heart, leaving a border around the edges. Then, place about 1/2 teaspoon of strawberry jam on top of the cream cheese. Gently fold one side of the heart over the filling to meet the other side, overlapping slightly at the top point to create a sealed pocket. Press down lightly around the edges to ensure the filling is enclosed, but don’t seal too tightly, as the pastry needs room to puff.
5. Apply the Egg Wash & Bake
Arrange the filled Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between them. In a small bowl, whisk together one egg with a tablespoon of water or milk to create an egg wash. Brush the tops and exposed pastry edges of each Danish generously with the egg wash. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed, golden brown, and the filling is set. Keep an eye on them towards the end of baking as ovens vary.
Expert Tips for Success
- Keeping Puff Pastry Cold: Work quickly with puff pastry. If it gets too warm, the butter layers can melt, resulting in less flaky Danishes. If you feel it softening, pop it back into the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
- Don’t Overfill: While tempting, overfilling your Danishes will lead to the filling oozing out during baking. Stick to the recommended 1-2 teaspoons of cream cheese and 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
- Baking Time Adjustments: Ovens vary significantly. Start checking your Danishes at 15 minutes. They should be deeply golden and puffed. If they are browning too quickly, you can loosely tent them with foil.
- Achieving Consistent Heart Shapes: Practice makes perfect! Don’t be discouraged if your first few aren’t perfect. A small heart-shaped cookie cutter can also be used if you prefer uniform shapes and less cutting.
- Preventing Soggy Bottoms: Ensure your oven is fully preheated. Baking on a hot oven helps achieve a crispy bottom. Also, don’t let your Danishes sit too long on the baking sheet after they come out of the oven; transfer them to a wire rack to cool slightly and prevent steam from making the bottom soggy.
What to Serve With Your Heart Danishes
These Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes are delightful on their own, but here are some ideas to make them part of a larger experience:
- Coffee or Tea Pairings: A rich, dark roast coffee or a delicate Earl Grey tea is the perfect accompaniment. The slight bitterness of the coffee or the floral notes of the tea beautifully complement the sweetness of the Danish.
- Brunch Ideas: Elevate your brunch spread by serving these alongside fresh fruit salad, crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, or a light quiche. They add a touch of elegance and sweetness to any brunch menu.
- Dessert Options: While often a breakfast item, these Danishes make a wonderful light dessert. Serve them with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce for an indulgent treat.
Storing and Reheating Your Danishes
To keep your Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes fresh and delicious:
- Best Storage Practices: Once completely cooled, store the Danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days. The pastry will soften slightly over time.
- Freezing Options: You can freeze unbaked Danishes! Assemble them, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 1 month. Bake directly from frozen, adding an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time. Baked Danishes can also be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw at room temperature before reheating.
- Reheating for Optimal Freshness: To regain that delicious crispness, reheat baked Danishes in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through and the pastry is slightly crisp again. Avoid reheating in the microwave, as it will make the pastry chewy and soft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other fruit jams?
Can I make these ahead of time?
Why is my pastry not puffing?
Help! My cream cheese filling is runny.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 9-12 Danishes 1x
Description
These delightful Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes feature flaky puff pastry, a rich and tangy cream cheese filling, and a dollop of sweet strawberry jam. They are perfect for a special breakfast or an elegant dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet (13.2 oz / 375g) frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 8 oz (226g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup (60g) strawberry jam (or desired fruit jam)
- 1 large egg, for egg wash
- 1 tablespoon milk or water, for egg wash
Instructions
- Prepare Oven & Baking Sheet: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make Cream Cheese Filling: In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth and creamy.
- Cut Puff Pastry: Unroll thawed puff pastry. Cut into 3-inch squares.
- Form Heart Shapes: Fold each square diagonally. Make two inward cuts near the folded corner, not quite meeting, to form a heart shape when unfolded.
- Assemble Danishes: Place 1-2 teaspoons of cream cheese filling in the center of each heart. Top with 1/2 teaspoon of strawberry jam. Fold one side of the heart over the filling, overlapping slightly at the top point, and gently press edges to enclose.
- Egg Wash & Bake: Whisk egg and milk/water for egg wash. Brush vigorously over Danishes. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
- Cool: Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins