Fluffy Heart-Shaped Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish
A quick and easy breakfast treat featuring flaky puff pastry filled with whipped cream cheese and topped with fresh strawberries, shaped into charming hearts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- Frozen puff pastry sheets (thawed; preferably Pepperidge Farm)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (full-fat for best creaminess)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk or cream
- Fresh strawberries, sliced
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting or glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese with granulated sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- On a lightly floured surface, unfold thawed puff pastry sheets and roll out slightly if needed to smooth creases, aiming for about 10×10 inches per sheet.
- Cut each sheet into 5×5 inch squares.
- Cut each square diagonally into two triangles. Curve the two long edges of each triangle inward to meet at the bottom tip, pinching slightly to form a heart shape.
- Spoon about 2 tablespoons of cream cheese filling into the center of each heart, leaving a small border.
- Arrange thin slices of fresh strawberries on top of the cream cheese filling.
- Whisk together the egg and milk or cream. Brush gently around the edges of the pastry with the egg wash.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes until pastry is puffed and golden and cream cheese is set but still soft. Watch strawberries to avoid burning.
- Cool on a rack for at least 10 minutes. Optionally dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Keep puff pastry refrigerated until ready to use to maintain flakiness. Whip cream cheese filling well for a light texture. If edges brown too fast, tent with foil halfway through baking. Chilling cream cheese filling before assembling helps maintain shape. Can substitute berries or use vegan/dairy-free alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 heart-shaped danis
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
Keywords: strawberry danish, cream cheese danish, heart-shaped pastry, breakfast pastry, puff pastry dessert, easy breakfast, flaky pastry