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Easy Strawberry Danish with Puff Pastry

This homemade Strawberry Danish is buttery, flaky, and filled with a luscious cream cheese layer topped with fresh strawberries. Made with store-bought puff pastry, this recipe is simple yet impressive, perfect for a weekend breakfast, brunch, or an easy dessert. Finish with a drizzle of vanilla glaze or a brush of strawberry jam for a bakery-style treat in just 40 minutes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick & Easy – Uses frozen puff pastry for a shortcut without sacrificing flavor.
  • Beautiful & Delicious – Fresh strawberries on golden pastry look as good as they taste.
  • Versatile – Serve for breakfast, brunch, or dessert with endless topping variations.
  • Minimal Ingredients – Just 7 simple ingredients needed!

Ingredients

For the Strawberry Filling

  • 4 cups fresh strawberries – cleaned, sliced, and patted dry
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (or flour/arrowroot as substitute)

For the Cream Cheese Filling

  • 8 oz cream cheese – softened
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Pastry

  • 2 sheets puff pastry – thawed
  • 1 large egg – lightly beaten with 1 tsp water (egg wash)
  • 2–3 tbsp sugar – optional, for sprinkling

Optional Toppings

  • ¼ cup strawberry jam – brushed on warm pastries for shine
  • Vanilla Glaze – 1 cup powdered sugar, ½ tsp vanilla extract, 2–3 tbsp milk

How to Make Strawberry Danish

Step 1: Prep the Strawberries

  1. Combine sliced strawberries, sugar, and cornstarch in a bowl.
  2. Mix well and let sit for 15 minutes to release juices.

Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Filling

  1. In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
  2. Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla until creamy.

Step 3: Assemble the Pastries

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Cut each puff pastry sheet into 6 rectangles.
  3. Lightly score a border ¼ inch from the edges of each rectangle.
  4. Spread about 1 tbsp cream cheese filling inside the border.
  5. Arrange strawberry slices on top.
  6. Brush edges with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar if desired.

Step 4: Bake

  1. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown and puffed.
  2. Cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack.

Step 5: Finish

  • Brush with warm strawberry jam for extra shine, or drizzle with vanilla glaze once cooled.

Variations

  • Braided Danish – Braid puff pastry strips over the filling for a bakery-style look.
  • Strawberry Jam Danish – Skip the cream cheese filling and use strawberry jam instead.
  • Lemon Glaze – Mix powdered sugar with lemon juice instead of milk for a tangy finish.

Storage Tips

  • Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days.
  • Reheat: Warm in the oven or toaster oven before serving.
  • Freeze: Not recommended, as strawberries lose texture after thawing.

Expert Tips

  • Don’t overfill – use about 1 tbsp cream cheese and 5–6 strawberry slices per pastry.
  • Pat strawberries dry to prevent soggy pastry.
  • Chill assembled pastries for 15 minutes before baking for the best puff.

Strawberry Danish Recipe Card

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Cooling Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12 pastries

This quick and easy Strawberry Danish recipe uses puff pastry, cream cheese filling, and fresh strawberries for a bakery-style treat at home. Top with jam or glaze for the perfect finishing touch!