Introduction

These Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes are a delightful treat perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special breakfast. Flaky puff pastry hearts filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture and topped with fresh strawberries make for a beautiful and delicious start to your day. Best of all, they come together easily in about 30 minutes!

Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1 package (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, thawed
8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, separated (yolk for filling, white for egg wash)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon milk or water
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for dusting)
Optional: 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Optional: 2-3 tablespoons strawberry jam
Optional: Coarse sugar for sprinkling
Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

Step 1: Thaw the puff pastry according to package directions (overnight in the refrigerator or 30-40 minutes at room temperature). Preheat your oven to 400°F (some brands recommend 350°F – check your package). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Add lemon zest if using. Set aside.
Step 3: On a lightly floured surface, gently unfold one sheet of thawed puff pastry. Roll it out slightly to smooth any creases. Use a large heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out 4-5 hearts. Repeat with the second sheet and re-roll scraps to get a few more hearts.
Step 4: Using a smaller heart-shaped cutter or a knife, gently score a border about 1/2 inch from the edge of each heart. Make an impression without cutting through. This will create a puffed frame during baking.
Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and milk or water. Place hearts on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Brush the outer border of each heart with the egg wash.
Step 6: Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of the cream cheese filling into the center of each heart inside the scored line. Spread gently with the back of a spoon. Add a dollop of jam if using, then top with 3-4 thin slices of fresh strawberries. Sprinkle coarse sugar around edges if desired.
Step 7: For best results, freeze the baking sheet for 5-6 minutes to firm up the filling and prevent spreading.
Step 8: Bake for 15-18 minutes until puffed, golden brown, and crispy on the edges. The filling should be set.
Step 9: Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

Thaw puff pastry slowly and keep it cold to ensure maximum puff and flakiness.
Use room temperature cream cheese to achieve a smooth, lump-free filling.
If you don’t have heart cutters, cut the puff pastry into rectangles or circles instead.
Try different fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, or sliced peaches for variety.
Add a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract for extra sweetness.
Sprinkle coarse sugar on the edges before baking for a sparkling bakery-style finish.
Freeze the assembled danishes before baking to keep the filling from spreading.

Storage

These danishes are best enjoyed the day they are made while still slightly warm. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to refresh the crispness. You can also freeze baked danishes for up to 1 month. Cool completely before freezing in a single layer, then reheat from frozen in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use phyllo dough instead of puff pastry?

No, phyllo dough is much thinner and has a different texture. Puff pastry is best for achieving the flaky layers needed in this recipe.

Do I have to use a cookie cutter?

No, cookie cutters are used for aesthetics. You can cut the dough into rectangles, squares, or circles if you prefer.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.5 from 189 reviews

Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes are a delightful and romantic breakfast treat perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion. Featuring flaky, buttery puff pastry cut into charming heart shapes, these danishes are filled with a creamy, sweetened cream cheese mixture and topped with fresh, thinly sliced strawberries. Ready in about 30 minutes using store-bought puff pastry, they combine impressive bakery-style presentation with simple preparation, making them an irresistible addition to any breakfast or brunch table.

Author: Dana
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 33 minutes
Yield: 8–10 danishes 1x
Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Danishes:

1 package (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, thawed
8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, separated (yolk for filling, white for egg wash)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon milk or water
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for dusting)

Optional Ingredients:

1 teaspoon lemon zest
2–3 tablespoons strawberry jam
Coarse sugar for sprinkling
Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

Thaw Puff Pastry: Thaw the puff pastry according to package directions, either overnight in the refrigerator or for 30-40 minutes at room temperature. Avoid microwaving as it will become too sticky and lose its puffiness.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (or follow your puff pastry package instructions, some recommend 350°F). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Make Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Add lemon zest if using. Set aside.
Roll and Cut Puff Pastry: Lightly flour your work surface and unfold one sheet of puff pastry. Roll it out gently to smooth creases and slightly thin it. Using a large heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out 4-5 hearts per sheet. Re-roll scraps to create additional hearts if needed.
Score the Borders: Use a smaller heart-shaped cookie cutter or a knife to gently score a 1/2 inch border from the edges of each heart without cutting through the dough. This border will puff separately to frame the filling.
Prepare Egg Wash and Arrange Hearts: Whisk together the egg white and milk or water to make an egg wash. Place the cut hearts on the prepared baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart. Brush the outer border of each heart with the egg wash to promote a golden, shiny finish.
Fill Danishes: Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of cream cheese filling into the center of each heart, spreading gently within the scored border. Add a small dollop of strawberry jam beneath the fruit if desired. Top each with 3-4 thin slices of fresh strawberries. Sprinkle coarse sugar on edges if using.
Freeze Before Baking (Optional): For best results, place the entire baking sheet in the freezer for 5-6 minutes to firm up the filling and prevent spreading during baking.
Bake: Bake the danishes for 15-18 minutes until the pastry is puffed, golden brown, and crisp on the edges, and the cream cheese filling is set.
Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Properly thaw puff pastry by refrigerating overnight or resting at room temperature for 30-40 minutes; do not microwave.
Use room temperature cream cheese for a smooth, lump-free filling.
Scoring the inner border of the pastry is essential to create a puffed frame around the filling.
Keep puff pastry cold while working with it; refrigerate for 10 minutes if it becomes too warm.
Monitor baking carefully; start checking at 15 minutes to prevent burning.
Use fresh strawberries sliced thinly to avoid excess moisture.
These danishes are best enjoyed the day of baking but can be stored refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated at 350°F for 5-7 minutes.
You can freeze baked danishes up to 1 month; cool completely before freezing in a single layer.

Keywords: Strawberry danishes, cream cheese danishes, puff pastry dessert, Valentine’s Day breakfast, heart-shaped pastries, easy danish recipe