Description
This delightful Strawberry Danish recipe features flaky puff pastry filled with a creamy sweetened cream cheese base topped with fresh strawberries. Baked until golden and dusted with powdered sugar, these danishes make an elegant breakfast treat or a delicious dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry
- 1 package puff pastry sheets
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
Topping
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Thaw Puff Pastry: Thaw the puff pastry sheets according to the package instructions to ensure they are pliable and ready to use.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and aid in easy cleanup.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Egg: Incorporate the egg into the cream cheese mixture and mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Roll Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets into approximately 8×8-inch squares for even-sized danishes.
- Fill Pastry: Divide the cream cheese mixture evenly between the two pastry squares, spreading it in the center of each square, leaving enough border for folding.
- Add Strawberries: Arrange the sliced fresh strawberries on top of the cream cheese filling on each pastry square for a fresh fruity flavor.
- Fold Edges: Fold the edges of the pastry squares over the filling, creating a neat border to encase the filling during baking.
- Bake: Bake the strawberry danishes in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed, indicating it is fully cooked.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the danishes from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet to firm up slightly for easier handling.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Lightly dust the warm danishes with powdered sugar for an elegant and sweet finishing touch.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the delicious homemade strawberry danishes warm or at room temperature as a delightful breakfast treat or dessert.
Notes
- Ensure puff pastry is fully thawed before rolling to prevent cracking.
- Fresh strawberries provide the best flavor and texture, but frozen can be used if thawed and drained.
- For a vegan version, substitute cream cheese and egg with plant-based alternatives.
- These danishes are best enjoyed the day they are made as puff pastry loses crispness over time.
- Freezing unbaked danishes is possible; bake directly from frozen with a few extra minutes of cooking time.
