Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
Make these beautiful, flaky heart-shaped danishes filled with sweet cream cheese and strawberry topping using store-bought puff pastry for an easy yet impressive brunch or holiday treat.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 18 min
- Total Time: 38 min
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup strawberry jam or preserves
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, finely diced (optional)
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Prepare the cream cheese filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Prepare the puff pastry: Unfold the two sheets of thawed puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into four equal squares, resulting in eight squares total.
- Shape the hearts: Take one square. Lightly brush the edges with the beaten egg wash. Place a spoonful of the cream cheese filling in the center of the square. Top the cream cheese with a small amount of strawberry jam and a few diced fresh strawberries, if using.
- Fold the pastry: Cut a small V-shape notch into the center of two opposite sides of the square, creating four points. Gently fold the points toward the center over the filling, overlapping them slightly to form a rough heart shape. Press the seams gently to seal.
- Place the shaped danishes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops lightly with the remaining egg wash.
- Bake the danishes: Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the pastries are puffed and golden brown.
- Prepare the glaze: While the danishes cool slightly, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the warm danishes before serving.
Notes
- For a flakier texture, ensure your puff pastry is very cold when you begin cutting and shaping.
- If you do not have jam, you can use a simple strawberry compote or finely chopped fresh strawberries mixed with a teaspoon of cornstarch.
- You can make these ahead of time; store cooled, unglazed danishes in an airtight container for up to two days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 danish
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Unsaturated Fat: 9
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 55