Description

These Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes are an easy, impressive treat perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special breakfast. Flaky, buttery store-bought puff pastry hearts are filled with a sweet and tangy cream cheese mixture, topped with fresh strawberries, and baked to golden perfection in just 30 minutes. Ideal for romantic occasions, brunches, or dessert, these danishes combine simple ingredients into a bakery-quality delight that’s loved by kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Danishes:

1 package (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, thawed
8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, separated (yolk for filling, white for egg wash)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon milk or water
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for dusting)

Optional Add-Ins:

1 teaspoon lemon zest
2–3 tablespoons strawberry jam
Coarse sugar for sprinkling
Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

Thaw the Puff Pastry: Thaw the puff pastry according to package directions—typically overnight in the refrigerator or 30-40 minutes at room temperature. Avoid microwaving to prevent it from becoming too soft and sticky.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (check package instructions if different). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Make Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. If desired, add lemon zest now. Set filling aside.
Roll and Cut Pastry Hearts: Lightly flour your work surface. Unfold one sheet of thawed puff pastry and gently roll out slightly to smooth creases. Use a large heart-shaped cookie cutter (3-4 inches) to cut out 4-5 hearts. Repeat with second sheet and re-roll scraps as needed for extra hearts.
Score the Borders: Using a smaller heart-shaped cutter (2-3 inches) or a knife, gently score a 1/2-inch border around each heart without cutting all the way through. This border will puff up during baking, creating a beautiful frame around the filling.
Prepare Egg Wash and Brush Borders: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and 1 tablespoon of milk or water. Place heart shapes on the prepared baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart. Brush the outer border of each heart with the egg wash to ensure a golden, shiny finish.
Fill Danishes: Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of cream cheese filling into the center of each heart, spreading gently but staying within the scored border. If using jam, add a small dollop now before topping with 3-4 thin slices of fresh strawberries. Sprinkle coarse sugar on edges if desired.
Optional Freeze Step: For firmer filling and better shape retention, freeze the baking sheet with assembled danishes for 5-6 minutes before baking.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until pastry is golden brown and puffed, edges are crisp, and filling is set.
Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Thaw puff pastry properly to avoid sticky, unworkable dough; never microwave.
Use cream cheese at room temperature for smooth mixing and to avoid lumps.
Scoring the inner border is key to achieving the signature puffed edge effect.
Keep puff pastry cold during handling; refrigerate if it warms up too much.
Watch baking time carefully; puff pastry browns quickly after 15 minutes.
Use fresh strawberries sliced thinly; frozen fruit releases too much liquid.
These danishes are best enjoyed freshly baked but can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes.
Freeze baked danishes for up to 1 month; reheat frozen at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.
For prep ahead, you can cut and keep the pastry hearts in the fridge overnight, then assemble and bake fresh in the morning.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Strawberry danishes, cream cheese danish, puff pastry dessert, Valentine's Day breakfast, heart shaped pastry, easy danish recipe