Strawberry Danish with Cheese (Printable)
Buttery, flaky Danish layered with cream cheese and sweet strawberries, baked until golden and drizzled with vanilla glaze.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pastry
01 - 1 sheet puff pastry (about 9 ounces), thawed if frozen
→ Cream Cheese Filling
02 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
03 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 - 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
→ Strawberry Filling
06 - 1.5 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
07 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
08 - 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch
→ Egg Wash
10 - 1 large egg, beaten
11 - 1 tablespoon milk
→ Optional Glaze
12 - 0.75 cup powdered sugar
13 - 2–3 teaspoons milk
14 - 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - Combine cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest in a small bowl. Blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
03 - In another bowl, gently toss the diced strawberries with granulated sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Set aside.
04 - Unfold the puff pastry and roll out lightly if needed. Cut into 8 equal squares. Using a sharp knife, score a border about 3/8 inch around each square, taking care not to cut all the way through.
05 - Spoon 1 tablespoon of cream cheese filling into the center of each pastry square, spreading gently within the scored border.
06 - Top each square with 1 tablespoon of the prepared strawberry mixture.
07 - Whisk together the beaten egg and milk. Brush the borders of each pastry with the egg wash.
08 - Transfer the pastries to the pre-lined baking tray. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the pastries are puffed and golden brown.
09 - Remove from oven and allow pastries to cool slightly on a wire rack.
10 - If desired, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to form a smooth glaze. Drizzle over cooled pastries before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This Danish is deceptively easy—the kind of impressive bake that comes together with minimal fuss if you start with ready-made puff pastry.
- The balance between tangy cream cheese and jammy strawberries in every bite quickly made this my most requested brunch pastry.
02 -
- Don’t let the puff pastry get too warm on the counter or it’ll stick, tear, and lose its tender flakiness.
- Learning to score a border without slicing all the way through took a few misshapen test runs—press lightly with your knife and trust your hands.
03 -
- Chill your assembled Danishes for ten minutes before baking to help the pastry hold its lift.
- A small offset spatula makes spreading the cheese filling a breeze (but the back of a spoon works, too).