Introduction
Hello there! I’m Jessy, and I’m so delighted you’ve found your way to The Savory Script. This is my little haven where simple, delicious recipes bloom. I truly believe that incredible food doesn’t need to be complicated, and today, I’m so excited to share one of my absolute favorite treats: Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes.
These are such a delightful way to bring a little sweetness to any occasion, and the best part is, you can whip them up in about 35 minutes from start to finish! Get ready to fall in love with these easy, delightful danishes.
Table of Contents
Easy Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Thaw the puff pastry sheet as per packages directions. Some say thaw on the counter for 2 hours or you can leave it to thaw in the fridge over night. This is crucial for a pastry that’s easy to handle and bakes up perfectly.
- Preheat oven to 400 F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Getting your oven nice and hot ensures that amazing puff pastry lift. Parchment paper makes for easy cleanup.
- In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, white sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. *I like to use an electric mixer for this, but a whisk works beautifully too!*
- Add a few drops of red food coloring and mix until you reach your desired shade of pink.
- Gently fold in the diced strawberries. Try not to overmix, so those lovely strawberry pieces stay intact.
- Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. *Be gentle, we want to keep all those lovely layers intact!*
- Using a sharp knife or a heart-shaped cookie cutter (about 3-4 inches across), cut out heart shapes from the puff pastry. You should get about 4-6 hearts depending on your cutter size. *If you don’t have a heart cutter, you can always freehand a heart shape or even cut squares for a simpler look!*
- Place the heart shapes onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Using your knife, carefully score a smaller heart shape inside each pastry heart, about a 1/4-inch border from the edge. Be careful not to cut all the way through the pastry. This will create a lovely raised edge once baked.
- Spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of the cream cheese and strawberry filling into the center of each scored heart, staying within the inner scored lines. *Don’t overfill, or the filling might bubble out during baking.*
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and cold water. Brush the edges of the pastry hearts with the egg wash. *This is what gives our danishes that gorgeous golden-brown color!*
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown. *Keep an eye on them, ovens can vary!*
- Let the danishes cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Why You’ll Love These Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
- Incredibly Easy and Quick to Make: These danishes come together in a flash, making them perfect for a last-minute treat when you need something special without a lot of fuss.
- The Perfect Balance of Flavors: You’ll adore the delightful combination of creamy, sweet cream cheese filling, bright strawberries, and flaky, buttery puff pastry.
- Visually Stunning and Guaranteed to Impress: Their charming heart shape and vibrant colors make these danishes look like they came from a high-end bakery, and they’re guaranteed to impress anyone you share them with.
Tools and Equipment You’ll Need
To bring these sweet treats to life, you’ll want to have a few essential kitchen tools on hand:
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls (one small, one medium)
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- A sharp knife or pastry wheel
- Fork
- Pastry brush (optional, for egg wash)
The Perfect Puff Pastry Dough: A Closer Look
The magic of these danishes truly starts with the puff pastry. Puff pastry is a light, flaky, buttery dough made by laminating dough, which means repeatedly rolling and folding butter into the dough. This creates dozens of paper-thin layers of dough and butter that puff up dramatically when baked, giving you that signature crisp texture. You can find excellent quality puff pastry in the freezer section of most grocery stores. Brands like Pepperidge Farm are widely available and reliable.
The most important step when working with puff pastry is to thaw it correctly, following the package directions. This usually means thawing it in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter for a couple of hours. Make sure it’s pliable but still cool when you’re ready to use it.
Delectable Ingredients for Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
Here’s everything you’ll need to create these delightful danishes:
- 1 sheet store-bought puff pastry (thawed to package directions): This is our beautiful, flaky base. Ensure it’s thawed properly so it’s easy to work with.
- 4 oz cream cheese (at room temperature): This creates our luscious, creamy filling. Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature for the smoothest, lump-free filling!
- 2 tbsp white sugar: Just enough sweetness to balance the cream cheese.
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract: A touch of vanilla adds warmth and depth to the filling.
- Red food colouring: A few drops will give our cream cheese a lovely pink hue to complement the strawberries.
- 1/2 C diced strawberries: Fresh, ripe strawberries are best here! They add a burst of fruity flavor and beautiful color.
- 1 large egg: This will be whisked with water to create an egg wash, giving our danishes a beautiful golden sheen.
- 1 tbsp cold water: Mixed with the egg for the perfect egg wash consistency.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
Let’s get baking! It’s easier than you think.
- Thaw the puff pastry sheet as per packages directions. Some say thaw on the counter for 2 hours or you can leave it to thaw in the fridge over night. This is crucial for a pastry that’s easy to handle and bakes up perfectly.
- Preheat oven to 400 F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Getting your oven nice and hot ensures that amazing puff pastry lift. Parchment paper makes for easy cleanup.
- In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, white sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. I like to use an electric mixer for this, but a whisk works beautifully too!
- Add a few drops of red food coloring and mix until you reach your desired shade of pink.
- Gently fold in the diced strawberries. Try not to overmix, so those lovely strawberry pieces stay intact.
- Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Be gentle, we want to keep all those lovely layers intact!
- Using a sharp knife or a heart-shaped cookie cutter (about 3-4 inches across), cut out heart shapes from the puff pastry. You should get about 4-6 hearts depending on your cutter size. If you don’t have a heart cutter, you can always freehand a heart shape or even cut squares for a simpler look!
- Place the heart shapes onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Using your knife, carefully score a smaller heart shape inside each pastry heart, about a 1/4-inch border from the edge. Be careful not to cut all the way through the pastry. This will create a lovely raised edge once baked.
- Spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of the cream cheese and strawberry filling into the center of each scored heart, staying within the inner scored lines. Don’t overfill, or the filling might bubble out during baking.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and cold water. Brush the edges of the pastry hearts with the egg wash. This is what gives our danishes that gorgeous golden-brown color!
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown. Keep an eye on them, ovens can vary! This is a key step for achieving the perfect puff pastry, as baking it at a sufficiently high temperature is crucial for activating the layers.
- Let the danishes cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Perfect Heart Shapes and Assembly
Creating those perfect heart shapes is all part of the fun! When cutting your puff pastry, work quickly but gently. If the pastry starts to get too warm and sticky, pop it back into the fridge for a few minutes.
To prevent sticking, ensure your surface is lightly floured, or use a clean sheet of parchment paper directly for cutting. If freehanding your hearts, draw a template on parchment paper first to guide your knife.
For assembly, remember that the scored lines are your guide. Don’t push the filling too close to the edges, and try to keep the strawberries nestled within the cream cheese. A light press into the cream cheese can help keep them from shifting too much before baking.
Variations and Flavor Twists
While these Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes are absolutely divine as is, I love experimenting with flavors! Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
| Variation Idea | Description |
|---|---|
| Mixed Berry Bliss | Swap the strawberries for a colorful mix of blueberries, raspberries, or finely chopped cherries. |
| Citrus Zest Cream Cheese | Add the zest of one lemon or orange to the cream cheese filling for a brighter, more vibrant flavor. |
| Almond Extract Enhancement | Incorporate 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract into the cream cheese mixture for a delicate, nutty undertone. |
Troubleshooting Common Danish Dilemmas
Even with the best intentions, sometimes little hiccups happen in the kitchen. Here are a few common issues and how to solve them:
- Soggy Bottoms? Ensure your oven is fully preheated before baking. For an extra crisp bottom, consider baking directly on a preheated baking sheet or a pizza stone. Properly thawing and handling the puff pastry is essential to prevent this, as is baking at the correct temperature to ensure a good rise.
- Leaking Filling? Be mindful not to overfill the pastry, and ensure your scored lines for the heart shape are precise but not cut all the way through. This creates a little barrier for the filling.
- Strawberries Slipping Out? Dice your strawberries small and press them gently into the cream cheese filling. This helps them adhere better before and during baking.
Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Danishes
These danishes are truly best enjoyed fresh, as puff pastry tends to lose its crispness over time. However, if you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
To recapture some of that flaky crispness, reheat them gently in a 300°F oven for about 5-8 minutes until warmed through and slightly crisped. While they might not be exactly like they were fresh from the oven, this reheating method makes them wonderfully enjoyable!
For other sweet treats, you might also enjoy exploring recipes for Ultimate Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes.
Nutritional Information
Please note: The following nutritional information is an estimate per danish and can vary based on exact ingredients and portion sizes used.
- Calories: Approximately 250-300 kcal
- Protein: Approximately 3-4g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 25-30g
- Fat: Approximately 15-20g
FAQs about Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
Where do you buy puff pastry dough?
You can find store-bought puff pastry dough in the freezer section of most major grocery stores, often near the frozen desserts or other frozen doughs.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! If you need to make more danishes, simply double all the ingredients and use a second baking sheet. Just ensure you have enough oven space to bake them all evenly. If you’re looking for more breakfast options, consider checking out our breakfast category.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
While fresh strawberries are ideal for their texture and flavor, you can use frozen strawberries. Make sure to thaw them completely and drain off any excess liquid before adding them to the cream cheese filling to avoid a watery result.
Can I make the cream cheese filling ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the cream cheese filling a day in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before using to ensure it’s spreadable.
Conclusion & Call to Action
And there you have it! These Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes are a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly magical. I hope you feel inspired to try this recipe and discover just how easy and rewarding it can be to make these charming treats yourself. They’re perfect for a weekend breakfast, a special afternoon tea, or just because!
I would absolutely love to see your creations! Please try making these danishes and share your experience in the comments below. If you have any questions as you go, don’t hesitate to ask. And if you snap a photo of your beautiful danishes, tag me on social media! Happy baking!
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