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Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danish Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 71 reviews

Delight in these charming Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes, featuring flaky puff pastry filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture and fresh diced strawberries. These elegant pastries are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat, combining creamy, fruity flavors with a golden, crispy crust.

Ingredients

Scale

Puff Pastry

  • 1 sheet store-bought puff pastry (thawed according to package directions)

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 4 oz cream cheese (at room temperature)
  • 2 tbsp white sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • red food coloring (a few drops)

Fruit Topping

  • 1/2 cup diced strawberries

Egg Wash

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp cold water

Instructions

  1. Thaw Puff Pastry: Thaw the puff pastry sheet according to the package directions, either by leaving it on the counter for about 2 hours or placing it in the refrigerator overnight.
  2. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (204°C) and prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
  3. Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, white sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add a few drops of red food coloring to achieve a pink hue, then set aside.
  4. Cut Heart Shapes: Unfold the thawed puff pastry on a clean surface. Using a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out 7 heart shapes. Place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet; depending on your puff pastry and cutter size, you may get up to 9.
  5. Score Borders: With a sharp knife or a smaller heart cookie cutter, gently score a border about 1/4 inch inside the edge of each heart. Be careful not to cut all the way through; just create a shallow indentation to outline the filling area.
  6. Fill Danishes: Spoon approximately 1/2 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each heart, spreading it evenly within the scored border.
  7. Add Strawberries: Evenly distribute the diced strawberries on top of the cream cheese filling for a fresh fruity layer, taking care to stay inside the border.
  8. Prepare Egg Wash: In a small bowl, beat together the egg and cold water to create an egg wash. Using your finger or a small pastry brush, carefully apply the egg wash to the outside border edge of each heart pastry to achieve a glossy, golden finish when baked.
  9. Bake Pastries: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 17 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and puffed.
  10. Cool and Serve: Remove the danishes from the oven and allow them to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy these tasty pastries warm for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Thawing puff pastry thoroughly is crucial for achieving a flaky texture—avoid using partially thawed pastry.
  • If you don’t have red food coloring, you can omit it; the filling will just be cream-colored instead of pink.
  • You can substitute strawberries with other fresh berries or fruit if desired.
  • Use a small brush to apply egg wash for more precision and to avoid filling contamination.
  • These danishes are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Keywords: strawberry danish, cream cheese pastry, heart-shaped danish, puff pastry breakfast, easy danish recipe

Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/strawberry-cream-cheese-heart-danish-recipe/