Easy Strawberry Danish Recipe: Flaky Pastry with Cream Cheese Filling

Indulge in the perfect balance of sweet strawberries, rich cream cheese, and buttery flaky pastry with this Easy Strawberry Danish Recipe with Cream Cheese Filling. Whether you’re planning a cozy breakfast, a weekend brunch, or a quick dessert, these danishes are sure to impress with minimal effort. This recipe brings together tender, golden layers of puff pastry with a luscious cream cheese filling and fresh strawberry topping for a treat that feels luxurious but is surprisingly simple to make.

Ingredients

• Pastry
  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
  • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• Cream Cheese Filling
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp milk or cream (optional for smoother texture)
• Strawberry Topping
  • 6–8 fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1 tbsp apricot jam or honey (optional, for glaze)

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare:
   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly flour your surface.
2. Prepare Puff Pastry:
   Roll out the thawed puff pastry slightly to smooth folds. Cut into 4 equal squares or rectangles depending on your desired serving size.
3. Mix Cream Cheese Filling:
   In a small bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and milk (if using). Beat until smooth and creamy.
4. Assemble Danishes:
   Place 1–2 tablespoons of cream cheese mixture in the center of each pastry square. Arrange sliced strawberries on top, leaving a small border around the edges.
5. Fold and Crimp Edges:
   Fold the corners or sides slightly inward to create a border that holds the filling, gently pressing edges to seal. Brush the pastry edges with beaten egg and sprinkle with granulated sugar.
6. Bake:
   Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed, golden brown, and the strawberries are slightly softened.
7. Optional Glaze:
   Heat apricot jam or honey for 10 seconds in the microwave, then brush lightly over the strawberries for a glossy finish.
8. Cool and Serve:
   Allow danishes to cool for 5–10 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Tips for Perfect Strawberry Danishes

• Use Cold Pastry: Keeping puff pastry cold ensures maximum flakiness. Only thaw until pliable but still chilled.
• Slice Uniformly: Even strawberry slices help the danish cook evenly and look professional.
• Egg Wash Matters: The egg wash adds shine and helps sugar stick for a slightly caramelized edge.
• Don’t Overfill: Too much filling may leak out while baking; keep it modest to maintain shape.

Variations and Flavor Twists

• Mixed Berry Danish: Swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries.
• Cinnamon Cream Cheese: Add 1/2 tsp cinnamon to the cream cheese filling for a warm, spiced flavor.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Melt dark chocolate and drizzle over the baked danishes for an extra indulgent touch.
• Nut Topping: Sprinkle finely chopped almonds or pistachios on top before baking for crunch.

Serving Suggestions

• Breakfast or Brunch: Pair with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, latte, or hot chocolate.
• Dessert: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Party Tray: Arrange multiple danishes on a platter for brunch gatherings or holiday buffets.

Fun Facts & Cultural Context

The Danish pastry, despite its name, has a rich history rooted in Vienna, Austria, and made its way to Denmark in the 19th century. Danish bakers adapted the flaky pastry techniques and filled it with custard, jam, or cream cheese, creating the iconic sweet breakfast treat we love today. Modern variations, like this strawberry cream cheese version, combine traditional flakiness with fresh fruit for a colorful and contemporary twist.

Storage Tips

• Store leftover danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• For longer storage, freeze baked danishes for up to 1 month. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5–10 minutes to refresh flakiness.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick & Easy: Minimal ingredients and prep for a bakery-style result.
• Customizable: Switch fruits or fillings based on season and preference.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for breakfasts, brunches, and casual gatherings.
• Visual Appeal: Bright strawberries and golden pastry make it Instagram-worthy.

Easy Strawberry Danish

Flaky puff pastry filled with cream cheese and fresh strawberries, perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 pieces

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Autumn

Calories: 280

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Pastry

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry thawed
• 1 egg beaten for egg wash
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar

Cream Cheese Filling

• 4 oz cream cheese softened
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp milk or cream optional for smoother texture

Strawberry Topping

• 6-8 fresh strawberries hulled and sliced
• 1 tbsp apricot jam or honey optional for glaze

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheet
• Wire rack
• Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll out the thawed puff pastry slightly. Cut into 4 equal squares.
3. Mix softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.
4. Place cream cheese filling in the center of each pastry square. Top with sliced strawberries.
5. Fold corners inward to create a border. Brush edges with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar.
6. Bake 15–20 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
7. Brush with warmed apricot jam or honey if desired. Cool 5–10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use cold pastry for flakiness. Don’t overfill to prevent leaking.