Description
Delight in these easy-to-make Strawberry Danish pastries featuring flaky puff pastry filled with a luscious cream cheese mixture and fresh, tangy strawberries. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, these Danish pastries combine a crisp, golden crust with creamy filling topped with fresh fruit and a touch of sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
Cream Cheese Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Strawberry Topping
- ½ cup fresh strawberries, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Finishing
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the Danish pastries, ensuring they cook evenly and develop a golden crust.
- Prepare the Puff Pastry: Roll out the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut it into squares, typically four equal squares from the sheet, creating individual bases for your Danish pastries.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, forming the rich filling that will complement the strawberries.
- Assemble the Danish: Spread a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each puff pastry square, leaving a border around the edges for folding.
- Add Strawberry Mixture: In another bowl, gently combine the chopped fresh strawberries with the lemon juice. Spoon this strawberry mixture evenly over the cream cheese filling on each pastry square.
- Fold Pastry Corners: Fold the corners of each pastry square toward the center, overlapping slightly to form an envelope shape that encloses the filling, helping keep it intact during baking.
- Apply Egg Wash and Sugar: Brush the folded pastry corners gently with the beaten egg to achieve a shiny, golden finish, then sprinkle the granulated sugar on top for a sweet, slightly crunchy topping.
- Bake: Place the assembled pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the puff pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pastries from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack before serving to allow the filling to set and avoid burns.
Notes
- For best results, ensure puff pastry is fully thawed but still cold to handle easily.
- Fresh strawberries can be substituted with frozen, but be sure to drain excess liquid to prevent sogginess.
- The lemon juice brightens the strawberries and enhances their flavor but can be adjusted to taste.
- These Danish pastries are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Egg wash is optional but recommended for a glossy finish and better browning.
