Description
This Strawberry Danish is a delightful pastry featuring flaky puff pastry filled with a creamy sweetened cream cheese mixture and topped with fresh strawberries. Perfectly golden and dusted with powdered sugar, these Danish pastries are easy to make and ideal for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)
Cream Cheese Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Topping
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Egg Wash
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
Optional
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface and cut it into 4 equal squares or rectangles based on your preferred shape.
- Make Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Filling: Spread a generous layer of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each puff pastry square, leaving a border around the edges to allow folding.
- Add Strawberries: Place sliced strawberries on top of the cream cheese layer and sprinkle with granulated sugar to add sweetness and help the strawberries caramelize.
- Fold Pastry: Fold the corners of the puff pastry over the filling to form a neat square or rectangle, gently pressing the edges to seal the Danish.
- Apply Egg Wash: Whisk together the egg and milk, then brush this egg wash over the pastry edges to achieve a golden, glossy finish when baked.
- Bake: Place the prepared pastries onto the lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until they puff up and turn golden brown.
- Cool and Dust: Allow the Danish pastries to cool for a few minutes after baking, then optionally dust with powdered sugar for an elegant touch.
- Serve: Serve the Strawberry Danish warm and enjoy the flaky, creamy, and fruity treat.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing to ensure a smooth filling.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and sweetness.
- If puff pastry is frozen, thaw it according to package instructions before rolling out.
- Egg wash helps achieve a beautiful golden color and shine on the pastry.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese and milk with vegan alternatives.
- Pastries are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.