Description
Turn store-bought puff pastry, sweet cream cheese, and juicy strawberries into bakery-style Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes that feel special enough for Valentine’s brunch but simple enough for busy mornings. This quick breakfast is an easy recipe that doubles as a fun dessert when you want new breakfast ideas, creative dinner ideas, or snack food ideas for the whole family, not just a healthy snack.
Ingredients
1 sheet puff pastry thawed
4 oz cream cheese softened
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest optional
1 large egg
1 tablespoon milk
1 cup fresh strawberries sliced
1 tablespoon strawberry jam
1 tablespoon powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unfold the puff pastry and let it thaw just until pliable.
2. In a bowl beat together the cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth and creamy.
3. On a lightly floured surface roll the puff pastry into a 10×12 inch rectangle. Cut into 8 long strips, then curve and pinch each strip into a heart shape.
4. Place the pastry hearts on the baking sheet. Use a small knife to lightly score a smaller heart inside each one and prick the centers with a fork.
5. Whisk the egg and milk together and brush the outer edges of the hearts with the egg wash. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of cream cheese filling into the center of each heart.
6. Bake for 13–16 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and deep golden brown and the cream cheese is set. Let the danishes cool for at least 10 minutes.
7. Warm the strawberry jam until loose, then gently toss with the sliced strawberries. Spoon the berries over the cooled danishes, dust with powdered sugar, and serve.
Notes
Keep the puff pastry as cold as possible while you work so the layers puff tall and flaky in the oven.
Wait to top the danishes with strawberries until just before serving so the pastry stays crisp and the filling doesn’t weep.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 danish
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 11
- Sodium: 170
- Fat: 17
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 23
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 45
Keywords: strawberry cream cheese danish, puff pastry breakfast, easy brunch pastry, valentines breakfast ideas, strawberry dessert, quick breakfast, easy recipe