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The Ultimate Strawberry Danish Recipe: A Buttery, Flaky Masterpiece

The Ultimate Strawberry Danish Recipe: A Buttery, Flaky Masterpiece

Strawberry Danish is a buttery, flaky pastry filled with creamy sweetened cream cheese and topped with fresh strawberries. These easy-to-make danishes are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. You can finish them with a light dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of vanilla glaze, or warm strawberry jam for extra sweetness.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Strawberries:

  • 4 cups sliced strawberries

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

  • 1 tablespoon sugar

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

  • 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, room temperature

  • ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Danish Pastry:

  • 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed

  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon water

  • 23 tablespoons sugar for topping (optional)

For the Topping (Optional):

  • ¼ cup (60 ml) strawberry jam

  • Or Vanilla Glaze:

    • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar

    • 23 tablespoons (30–45 ml) milk

    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prep the Puff Pastry & Oven:

    • Thaw puff pastry at room temperature for 30–45 minutes.

    • Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.

  2. Prepare the Strawberries:

    • Mix sliced strawberries with sugar and cornstarch in a bowl. Let sit for 15 minutes at room temperature.

  3. Make the Cream Cheese Filling:

    • In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.

    • Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla until fully combined.

  4. Prepare the Danish:

    • Unfold a puff pastry sheet and cut along the folds to make six smaller rectangles.

    • Score a ¼-inch border around each rectangle with a knife.

    • Spread 1 tablespoon cream cheese filling inside each rectangle border.

    • Layer strawberries decoratively on top.

    • Brush edges with beaten egg and sprinkle sugar over the top, if desired.

  5. Chill & Bake:

    • Optional: Chill prepared pastries in the fridge for 15–20 minutes for better puffing.

    • Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown.

    • Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

  6. Add Toppings:

    • Warm strawberry jam and brush over the top.

    • Or make a glaze: whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth, then drizzle over cooled danishes.

Notes

  • Chill for puff: Chilling the filled puff pastry before baking helps the edges puff up beautifully.

  • Room temp ingredients: Make sure cream cheese is soft for a smooth filling.

  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2–3 days. Warm slightly before serving for best flavor.

  • Variations: Try a braided strawberry danish or swap cream cheese for almond paste for a different twist.