Easy Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish is a yummy and quick snack we’re making today. Imagine a sweet and soft pastry filled with creamy cheese and juicy strawberries. It’s so simple and fast to make – ready in just 30 minutes! A perfect sweet treat that’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy.
Did you try the Cherry Bars or the Strawberry Bread with Fresh Strawberry Glaze we made before? If you liked those, you’re going to love this Danish. I always go back to recipes that are both tasty and easy, and this one is a winner.
Let’s get started, friends! If you had fun with the Caramel Brownies, this Danish will bring more sweet smiles. It’s all about having a good time while making something delicious!
Table of Content
Serving Size and Preparation Time
Serving Size and Yield:
This recipe makes 8 yummy slices of Easy Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish. Each person gets one big, tasty slice.
How Long Does It Take?
| Time Type | Time |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 20 minutes |
| Total Time | 30 minutes |
Ingredients You’ll need for Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe
For the Pastry:
- 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon of water (for egg wash)
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 ounces (1 cup) of cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Topping:
- 1 cup of fresh strawberries, chopped
- 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons of water
For the Glaze:
- 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons of milk
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Pro Tip for the Best Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish:
- Ensure your puff pastry is fully thawed to make it easy to work with.
- Use softened cream cheese for a smooth, easy-to-spread filling.
- Fresh strawberries will give you a bright, fresh flavor for the topping.
Notes:
- If you prefer a sweeter Danish, you can adjust the sugar to your liking in both the cream cheese filling and the strawberry topping.
- The egg wash (egg + water) will give your pastry a beautiful, golden shine, but you can omit it if you prefer.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish
Making this tasty Danish is a breeze when you have the right tools! Here’s a simple list of what you’ll need:
- Baking Sheet: To bake your Danish.
- Mixing Bowls: For preparing the fillings and glaze.
- Whisk: To mix your egg wash and glaze smoothly.
- Spatula: To spread the cream cheese filling easily.
- Knife.
- Oven.
These tools are pretty standard in most kitchens, so you should be all set to start baking. Let’s get to the fun part – making our Danish!
How to Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish:
1- Prepare the Oven and Pastry:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roll out 1 sheet of thawed puff pastry and cut it into 8 equal portions. Place them on a baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching.
- Pro Tip: Use a rolling pin to smooth out folds and slightly enlarge the pastry.
2- Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
- In a mixing bowl, combine 8 ounces of softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
- Evenly distribute the cream cheese mixture among the 8 pastry portions, leaving a small border around the edges to allow for spreading during baking.
3- Prepare the Strawberry Topping:
- In another bowl, mix together 1 cup of chopped fresh strawberries, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and 2 tablespoons of water.
- Spoon the strawberry mixture over the cream cheese layer of each pastry portion.
4- Prepare for Baking:
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash.
- Gently brush the egg wash over the edges of each pastry portion..
- Bake in your preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden.
5- Make the Glaze:
- While the Danish is baking, prepare the glaze. In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons of milk, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth.
- Adjust the milk quantity to get your desired glaze thickness.
6- The Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish is Ready:
- Allow the individual Danish portions to cool slightly, then drizzle with glaze, and they’re ready to serve!
Note: Ensure the Danish has cooled slightly before adding the glaze to prevent it from melting off.
Swapping Ingredients for Dietary Needs and Preferences
Gluten-Free Danish:
- Swap the puff pastry for a gluten-free puff pastry. Brands like Schar offer a gluten-free option. Note that textures might slightly differ with gluten-free versions.
Dairy-Free and Vegan Danish:
- Replace the cream cheese with a dairy-free or vegan cream cheese alternative, such as those offered by Tofutti or Violife.
- Use a plant-based milk, like almond or soy milk, in place of regular milk for the glaze.
- For a vegan egg wash, combine 2 tablespoons of non-dairy milk with 1 tablespoon of maple syrup and brush it over the pastry.
Lower Sugar Danish:
- Consider using a sugar substitute, like Stevia or Monk fruit sweetener, in place of granulated sugar in both the cream cheese filling and strawberry topping. Follow the package instructions for equivalent sweetness.
- You can also opt for a sugar-free powdered sugar substitute for the glaze.
- Discover the health benefits of strawberries to understand why they are a fantastic addition to your diet
Nut-Free Danish:
This recipe is already nut-free, but always ensure that your store-bought products (like puff pastry) are made in a nut-free facility if you’re catering to severe allergies.
Note: When using alternative ingredients, especially for baking, the texture and taste might slightly differ from the original recipe. Always do a small test when trying new substitutes to ensure you’re happy with the result.
Helpful Answers and Fixes for Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish
Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish:
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Thaw them and drain any excess liquid before using to prevent the Danish from becoming soggy.
Yes, feel free to swap strawberries with blueberries, raspberries, or a fruit of your choice. Adjust the sugar as needed depending on the sweetness of the fruit.
While puff pastry gives a light and flaky texture, you can use a pie crust as an alternative. The result will be a bit different but still delicious!
You can use strawberry jam or preserve as an alternative. Simply spread a thin layer over the cream cheese filling before baking.
Yes, feel free to customize your Danish with additional toppings like slivered almonds, powdered sugar, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon for an extra flavor kick.
Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, gently trim the edges of the pastry before baking to ensure a neat appearance. Also, ensure to leave a small border when spreading the fillings to prevent them from oozing out.
Solving Common Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Baking Issues:
The pastry didn’t puff up.
Ensure your oven is fully preheated before baking and avoid opening the oven door during baking to keep the heat consistent.
The cream cheese filling is too runny.
Make sure to use full-fat cream cheese and mix it until just combined to avoid incorporating too much air, which can affect the consistency.
The Danish is browning too quickly.
If the pastry is browning too fast while baking, tent it with aluminum foil to prevent it from burning while it continues to bake.
The glaze is too thin/thick.
If the glaze is too thin, add more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. If it’s too thick, add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until it’s drizzle-able.
Other Delicious Recipes You May Also Enjoy!!
- Strawberry Bread Recipe with Fresh Strawberry Glaze
- Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Texas Sheet Cake Bites
- Pumpkin Pie Bars
- Cherry Bars
- Pasta with Mushrooms and Peas
- Italian Bruschetta Recipe: A Guide to Homemade Bruschetta
Made the Danish? We’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment below, share your tweaks, and let’s spread the baking joy together. Your tips might just be the secret ingredient someone needs!
