Description
Delight in these charming Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes, perfect for a sweet breakfast or an elegant brunch. Flaky puff pastry hearts are filled with a creamy mixture of sweetened cream cheese and vanilla, topped generously with fresh, juicy strawberries, and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 1 sheet store-bought puff pastry
- Flour, for dusting
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
Egg Wash
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for baking flaky danishes.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Lightly dust your work surface with flour. Roll out the puff pastry sheet to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cutter to cut out individual heart shapes carefully.
- Make Cream Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy, free of lumps.
- Fill Pastry Hearts: Spoon a dollop of the cream cheese mixture onto the center of each heart-shaped pastry. Top each with a generous amount of sliced fresh strawberries, arranging them evenly.
- Shape Danishes: Gently fold the edges of each pastry heart towards the center, encasing the filling but leaving some filling visible on top for an attractive presentation. Be careful not to seal too tightly to allow puff pastry to expand while baking.
- Apply Egg Wash: Beat the egg and brush it lightly over the folded pastry edges. This will give the danishes a beautiful golden-brown shine once baked.
- Bake: Place the prepared danishes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the danishes from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh strawberries with other berries or fruits as per preference.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened for easier mixing and smoother filling.
- Chilling the cut pastry hearts briefly before baking can help maintain shape.
- Brush the pastry edges gently with egg wash to avoid bleed onto the filling.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and consume within 2 days for freshness.
