Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
A flaky, heart-shaped Danish filled with sweet cream cheese and bright strawberries, perfect for special mornings.
Ingredients
Danish Ingredients
- 1 sheet store-bought puff pastry, thawed
- 4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature Use full-fat cream cheese for best texture.
- 2 tbsp white sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup diced strawberries Choose ripe but firm strawberries.
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp cold water
- 1 drop red food coloring (optional) For a rosy hue if desired.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, beat the cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until smooth; add food coloring if desired. Fold in half of the diced strawberries.
- Lightly flour a work surface and roll out the puff pastry into a 10x12-inch rectangle. Cut out heart shapes and score a shallow inner border on each heart.
Assembly and Baking
- Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of the cream cheese-strawberry mixture into the center of each heart, keeping it inside the scored border. Top with reserved strawberries.
- Mix the egg with cold water and brush the edges of the pastry.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until pastry puffs and turns golden brown; filling should be set with a slight jiggle.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
Serve warmed or at room temperature. Pair with yogurt, nuts, or maple syrup for an enhanced experience. Store in an airtight container; refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, reheat to refresh flakiness.