Made in under 30 minutes, these easy Strawberry Danishes use store-bought puff pastry for a quick breakfast or brunch treat. Soft cream cheese, bright fresh strawberries and a touch of strawberry jam come together on flaky, golden pastry for a bakery-style pastry you can make at home.
You’ll love how simple and satisfying these strawberry cream cheese danishes are. With a handful of everyday ingredients and a few straightforward steps, you can deliver a tender, creamy center and crisp, buttery layers without special equipment.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Danish Recipe
- Budget-friendly: Homemade danishes cost far less than bakery versions and are easy to scale for guests.
- Fast and simple: You can prepare these in about 30 minutes using basic kitchen tools—no mixer required.
- Everyday ingredients: Cream cheese, strawberries, jam and ready-to-bake puff pastry make this an accessible recipe year-round.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 block full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature (about 250 g)
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 2 cups diced fresh strawberries
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 cup strawberry jam
- 1 box (2 sheets) puff pastry, thawed (about 454 g)
- 2 tablespoons milk for brushing the edges
How To Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the granulated sugar until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
- In another bowl, toss the diced strawberries with lemon juice and brown sugar. Let sit while you prepare the pastry so the flavors meld slightly.
- On a lightly floured surface, unfold each thawed puff pastry sheet and cut each sheet into four equal rectangles. Transfer the rectangles to a parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Using a paring knife, lightly score a border about 1/2 inch from the edge of each rectangle without cutting all the way through. Dock the center area lightly with a fork to help it bake flat while the border puffs.
- Spoon roughly one tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each pastry square, spreading it up to the scored border.
- Add about one tablespoon of strawberry jam over the cream cheese, then top with a spoonful of the diced strawberries.
- Brush the pastry edges with milk to promote browning.
- Bake for about 18 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden. Let cool for about 5 minutes before serving warm.
Tips and Notes
- Softening cream cheese: Take the block out about 1–2 hours before use, or cut it into small cubes to speed softening so it mixes smoothly.
- Puff pastry selection: Choose pre-rolled sheets for convenience. Keep unused sheets refrigerated until ready to use to prevent sticking.
- Thawing: Follow package instructions for thawing puff pastry. Working one sheet at a time helps maintain the ideal texture.
- Strawberry prep: Dicing gives a nice texture, but thin slices work too if you prefer a different presentation.
- Washing fruit: Rinse berries and pat dry before dicing to avoid added moisture in the filling.
Frequently Asked Questions
No—frozen strawberries release extra liquid during baking, which can prevent the puff pastry from rising properly and make the filling soggy. Use fresh strawberries for best results.
How should I store leftover danishes?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat briefly in a preheated oven to restore crispness; avoid reheating in the microwave if you want to keep the pastry flaky. Make sure the danishes are completely cool before storing to prevent condensation and sogginess.
Can I freeze these danishes?
Yes. Freeze baked danishes on a lined sheet pan until solid, then transfer to an airtight freezer-safe container or bag for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven before serving.
Recipe
Strawberry Danish
Made in less than 30 minutes, these strawberry danishes combine cream cheese, fresh strawberries, jam and flaky puff pastry for an easy homemade breakfast pastry.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 18 minutes | Total Time: 28 minutes | Servings: 8
Equipment
- Half sheet pan (lined with parchment)
- Paring knife and fork
- Mixing bowls and a spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 1 block cream cheese, softened to room temperature (250 g)
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 2 cups diced strawberries
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 cup strawberry jam
- 1 box (2 sheets) puff pastry, thawed (454 g)
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar. Mix until smooth and set aside.
- In another bowl, mix the diced strawberries with lemon juice and brown sugar. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roll out each puff pastry sheet and cut each into four rectangles. Place on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Lightly score a border inside each rectangle without cutting through the pastry. Dock the center area with a fork.
- Add about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture to the center of each pastry and spread to the scored border.
- Top with 1 tablespoon of strawberry jam, then a spoonful of the diced strawberries.
- Brush the pastry edges with milk and bake for 18 minutes or until golden and puffed.
- Cool for 5 minutes and serve warm.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 585 kcal | Carbohydrates: 67 g | Protein: 7 g | Fat: 33 g | Saturated Fat: 12 g | Sugar: 32 g | Sodium: 255 mg
Course: Sheet Pan + Oven | Cuisine: American | Author: Carmy
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More places to find the author: Instagram @onepotonlyrecipes and Pinterest One Pot Only.