Best Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes Recipe (Valentine’s Perfect!) Recipe

Introduction

These strawberry cream cheese heart danishes are a delightful treat perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion. Flaky puff pastry surrounds a creamy, sweet filling topped with fresh strawberries and a light glaze. Baking them at home delivers bakery-quality danishes that impress both in taste and appearance.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (alcohol-free)
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced small
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 2 tablespoons turbinado or coarse sugar

For the glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (alcohol-free)
• Pink food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Thaw the puff pastry in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for 30-40 minutes. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.
2. Step 2: Unfold the thawed pastry and use a 3-4 inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out hearts. Re-roll scraps and cut additional hearts as needed.
3. Step 3: In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy to create the filling.
4. Step 4: Score a smaller heart shape in the center of each pastry heart, being careful not to cut all the way through to form a border.
5. Step 5: Spoon the cream cheese mixture inside the scored smaller hearts and then evenly top with the diced strawberries.
6. Step 6: Brush the exposed pastry edges with the beaten egg and sprinkle with turbinado or coarse sugar for a golden, crunchy finish.
7. Step 7: Bake the danishes at 400°F (200°C) for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and puffed. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Step 8: Prepare the glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and pink food coloring if using until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled danishes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Keep the puff pastry cold while working to ensure the best flaky texture and prevent it from becoming too soft to cut.
• Use a small, sharp metal heart-shaped cutter for clean edges that look professional.
• Try substituting fresh blueberries or raspberries for strawberries to vary the flavor.
• For a richer filling, add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture.

Storage

Store leftover danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm briefly in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5 minutes to refresh the pastry’s flakiness. Avoid microwaving as it softens the crust.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade puff pastry for this recipe?

Yes, homemade puff pastry works wonderfully as long as it is properly chilled and rolled to the right thickness. It may require a slightly longer chilling time before baking.

What can I substitute for turbinado sugar?

If you don’t have turbinado or coarse sugar, you can use granulated sugar, but the texture will be a bit finer and less crunchy on the edges.

Best Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes Recipe (Valentine’s Perfect!) Recipe

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4.5 from 117 reviews

These Best Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes are a perfect Valentine’s Day treat featuring flaky puff pastry filled with a smooth cream cheese mixture and fresh diced strawberries. The danishes are topped with a sweet glaze and a sprinkle of coarse sugar, delivering bakery-quality flavor and presentation right at home.

• Author: Joe
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8–10 danishes 1x
• Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Danishes:

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (alcohol-free)
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced small
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 2 tablespoons turbinado or coarse sugar

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (alcohol-free)
• Pink food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut out hearts: Unfold thawed puff pastry and use a 3-4 inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out hearts. Re-roll scraps and cut additional hearts as needed.
2. Prepare filling: Beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy, creating the filling base.
3. Create borders: Score a smaller heart shape inside each pastry heart, making sure not to cut all the way through the dough to form a border that will puff up.
4. Fill centers: Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the centers of the scored hearts, then top each with the small diced strawberries to avoid sealing issues.
5. Apply egg wash and sugar: Brush the exposed pastry edges with beaten egg to promote browning, then sprinkle with turbinado or coarse sugar for added texture and sweetness.
6. Bake: Place the danishes on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F (204°C) for 15-18 minutes until puffed and golden brown. Remove and let cool on a wire rack.
7. Glaze and finish: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and optional pink food coloring until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over cooled danishes for a glossy, sweet finish.

Notes

• Ensure puff pastry is fully thawed but cold; avoid microwaving to keep pastry flaky.
• Dice strawberries finely to prevent difficulty in sealing the pastries.
• Scoring the smaller heart inside without cutting completely allows the border to puff nicely.
• Use a pastry brush with natural bristles for an even egg wash.
• Let the danishes cool completely before glazing to prevent melting of the glaze.
• Use parchment paper to prevent sticking without adding oil or butter.

Keywords: strawberry cream cheese danishes, heart-shaped pastries, Valentine’s Day dessert, puff pastry danishes, cream cheese filling