Dive into the delightful world of homemade pastries with our Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes Recipe, a charming and incredibly rewarding dessert. This recipe guides you through creating beautiful, heart-shaped danishes filled with a luscious strawberry and cream cheese mixture, perfect for impressing guests or simply treating yourself.
Key Ingredients for Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes Recipe
- 1 sheet (about 9.5 oz) refrigerated puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and finely diced (plus extra for garnish, optional)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon milk or water (for egg wash)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
How to Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
Get ready to create little bites of heaven with this easy-to-follow Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes Recipe. In approximately 30 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of baking, you’ll transform simple ingredients into delicate, flaky pastries bursting with sweet strawberry and tangy cream cheese filling. The creamy center and crisp, golden exterior create a truly satisfying contrast that will have everyone asking for more.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare Your Workspace and Puff Pastry: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Carefully unfold your thawed puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. If the pastry is very thin, you can gently roll it out a little further, but avoid making it too thin.
Prepare the Strawberry Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer or a whisk until smooth and creamy. Stir in the vanilla extract until well combined. Gently fold in the finely diced fresh strawberries. Be careful not to overmix, as you want small pieces of strawberry throughout the filling.
Cut the Heart Shapes: Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter (about 3-4 inches wide), cut out as many hearts as you can from the puff pastry sheet. You should get approximately 6-8 hearts depending on the size of your cutter. Re-roll any scraps gently if necessary to cut out additional hearts, but avoid overworking the dough.
Assemble the Danishes: For each danish, place one puff pastry heart onto the prepared baking sheet. Spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of the strawberry cream cheese filling onto the center of each heart, leaving about a 1/2-inch border around the edges.
Create the Danish Edges: For each danish, take another puff pastry heart and either use a smaller heart-shaped cutter to cut out the center, creating a frame, or make a few small cuts from the edge towards the filling in the first heart. If you’re using the frame method, gently place the pastry frame over the filling on the first heart. If you’re making cuts, fold the edges of the first heart up and slightly over the filling, tucking them in to create a slightly enclosed center.
Apply the Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg with the tablespoon of milk or water. Lightly brush the edges of the puff pastry hearts with this egg wash. This will give them a beautiful golden sheen as they bake.
Bake to Perfection: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown, puffed up, and the filling is bubbly. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning, as puff pastry can bake quickly.
Cool and Garnish: Once baked, carefully remove the danishes from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can dust them lightly with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness, or garnish with a few extra fresh strawberry slices if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes Recipe
Prepare to fall head over heels for these delightful Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes! The star of this show is undoubtedly the incredible combination of flaky, buttery puff pastry encasing a luxuriously smooth, bright strawberry and tangy cream cheese filling. It’s a simple yet elegant dessert that feels truly special, almost like something you’d find in a charming Parisian bakery. Plus, imagine the satisfaction of creating these beautiful treats right in your own kitchen for a fraction of the cost of store-bought alternatives, transforming a simple afternoon tea or breakfast into a gourmet experience.
These danishes are not only a feast for the eyes with their adorable heart shape but also an absolute delight for your taste buds with that irresistible sweet and tangy burst in every bite. They’re the perfect make-ahead treat for brunches, holidays like Valentine’s Day, or just a delightful weekend indulgence. Unlike a heavier fruit tart or a dense cheesecake, these danishes offer a lighter, airier texture that balances the richness of the cream cheese beautifully. So why wait? Give this Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes Recipe a try and let the sweet, homemade magic unfold in your kitchen!
Storing and Reheating Tips
These Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored for optimal enjoyment. Store cooled danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The cream cheese filling will help them stay fresh longer, but the puff pastry may lose some of its crispness over time.
To reheat, you can gently warm them in a low oven (around 300°F or 150°C) for about 5-7 minutes until they are heated through and slightly re-crisped. You can also briefly microwave them, but be aware that this may soften the pastry further. Freezing is also an option; cool the danishes completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as directed.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes Recipe is a true gem, offering a perfect balance of simplicity, elegance, and deliciousness. They are a wonderful way to bring a touch of homemade joy to any occasion. Give them a try, and I’m sure you’ll find yourself making them again and again!
Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Carefully unfold your thawed puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. If the pastry is very thin, you can gently roll it out a little further, but avoid making it too thin.1 sheet refrigerated puff pastry
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer or a whisk until smooth and creamy. Stir in the vanilla extract until well combined. Gently fold in the finely diced fresh strawberries. Be careful not to overmix, as you want small pieces of strawberry throughout the filling.6 oz cream cheese, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 cup fresh strawberries
- Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter (about 3-4 inches wide), cut out as many hearts as you can from the puff pastry sheet. You should get approximately 6-8 hearts depending on the size of your cutter. Re-roll any scraps gently if necessary to cut out additional hearts, but avoid overworking the dough.1 sheet refrigerated puff pastry
- For each danish, place one puff pastry heart onto the prepared baking sheet. Spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of the strawberry cream cheese filling onto the center of each heart, leaving about a 1/2-inch border around the edges.1/2 cup fresh strawberries
- For each danish, take another puff pastry heart and either use a smaller heart-shaped cutter to cut out the center, creating a frame, or make a few small cuts from the edge towards the filling in the first heart. If you’re using the frame method, gently place the pastry frame over the filling on the first heart. If you’re making cuts, fold the edges of the first heart up and slightly over the filling, tucking them in to create a slightly enclosed center.1 sheet refrigerated puff pastry
- In a small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg with the tablespoon of milk or water. Lightly brush the edges of the puff pastry hearts with this egg wash. This will give them a beautiful golden sheen as they bake.1 egg, 1 tablespoon milk or water
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown, puffed up, and the filling is bubbly. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning, as puff pastry can bake quickly.
- Once baked, carefully remove the danishes from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can dust them lightly with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness, or garnish with a few extra fresh strawberry slices if desired.powdered sugar, fresh strawberries