Waking up to the smell of butter and strawberries usually means Max is already at the counter with the heart-shaped cutter; and these Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes are our favorite way to share a little extra love. The way the flaky puff pastry crisps up around the sweet, creamy center makes every bite feel like a special treat from a fancy bakery. It is the perfect recipe to turn a simple morning into a sweet family memory that everyone will adore.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
- How To Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
- What Pairs Well With Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes Variations
- Equipment
- Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips
- Top Tips for Best Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes FAQs
- A Recipe That Feels Like a Celebration
- Related
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
Why You Will Love This Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
These pastries offer the ultimate balance of a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a bright, fruity center that looks absolutely stunning on a brunch platter. They are surprisingly simple to assemble; making them the go-to choice for a romantic breakfast or a fun baking project with the kids.
How To Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
This recipe uses light, airy layers of puff pastry filled with a velvety sweetened cheese mixture and topped with fresh, juicy strawberries. Originally inspired by traditional European pastries; these heart-shaped versions have become a viral favorite because they look professional while using easy, store-bought shortcuts. The contrast between the warm, golden crust and the cool, creamy filling makes them an irresistible breakfast or dessert.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (thawed)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup fresh strawberries (sliced)
- 1 large egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (for dusting)
Step by Step Method
Prepare the pastry
- Unfold the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and use a heart-shaped cutter to create individual pastry bases.
Whisk the filling
- Beat the softened cream cheese; sugar; and vanilla together in a small bowl until the mixture is light and perfectly smooth.
Score the borders
- Use a small knife to gently score a smaller heart shape inside each pastry piece to create a border for the "crust".
Add the cream
- Spoon a dollop of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each heart and spread it evenly within the scored lines.
Top with fruit
- Place sliced strawberries over the cream cheese layer; pressing them down gently so they stay in place during baking.
Apply egg wash
- Brush the outer edges of the pastry with a beaten egg to ensure they bake into a deep; golden brown color.
Bake until golden
- Place the danishes in a 400 degree oven for fifteen to eighteen minutes until the pastry is puffed and crisp.
Garnish and serve
- Allow the pastries to cool slightly before dusting them with powdered sugar for a professional; snowy finish.
MAX’S REACTION
"Mom; they look like little golden hearts! The strawberry part is so sweet; can I have two more for my lunchbox?"
What Pairs Well With Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
I usually serve these with a hot cup of coffee or a tall glass of cold milk for Max. If we are doing a full brunch; they pair beautifully with savory breakfast sausages or a fresh fruit salad to balance the sweetness.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes Variations
Strawberry Cream Danish Recipe with Glaze
Drizzle a simple mixture of powdered sugar and milk over the cooled danishes to add an extra layer of sweetness and a bakery-style shine.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastry Bites
Use a smaller heart cutter to create bite-sized versions that are perfect for sharing at a party or as a quick afternoon snack.
Strawberry Danish No Cream Cheese
Swap the cheese filling for a spoonful of high-quality strawberry preserves for a lighter version that focuses entirely on the fruit.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Rolls
Instead of flat hearts; roll the pastry and filling into a log and slice them into rounds for a different; flaky presentation.
Equipment
- Heart-shaped cookie cutter
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Pastry brush
Mom Tip: Always keep your puff pastry as cold as possible until it goes into the oven; this ensures you get those beautiful; flaky layers every time!
Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips
Storage Tips That Keep It Fresh
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
- For longer storage; keep them in the refrigerator; though the pastry may soften slightly.
Make Ahead Strategy
- You can assemble the hearts and fill them with cream cheese the night before.
- Store them covered in the fridge and simply add the fresh strawberries just before baking.
Reheating Instructions
- To restore the crunch; reheat the danishes in a toaster oven at 350 degrees for three to five minutes.
- Avoid the microwave as it will make the puff pastry chewy instead of flaky.
Top Tips for Best Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
The secret to getting that perfect bakery-style puff is to never stretch the dough; as this breaks the delicate buttery layers. I always tell Max to use a light touch when pressing the heart cutter so the edges remain sharp and ready to rise. If your strawberries are very juicy; pat them dry with a paper towel before placing them on the cream cheese to prevent the center from becoming soggy. Make sure your oven is fully preheated to 400 degrees; as that initial burst of high heat is what makes the pastry "pop" into those light; airy layers.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes FAQs
Can I use a different fruit for these danishes?
Absolutely; blueberries; blackberries; or even peach slices work wonderfully with the cream cheese base.
Do I have to use a heart cutter?
Not at all; you can simply cut the pastry into squares or circles if you don't have a specific cutter on hand.
Why didn't my pastry puff up?
This usually happens if the pastry got too warm before baking or if the oven temperature was too low.
A Recipe That Feels Like a Celebration
Sharing these warm; strawberry-filled hearts is our favorite way to kick off a weekend with a smile. If you enjoyed this flaky treat; you must try our decadent Berry Chocolate Lava Bites or my personal favorite Cheesecake Brownies for your next dessert night. For those who love a classic; our Reese’s Cheesecake Cookie Delight is a massive hit with the kids every single time!
Share your Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes! Tag us @HannahCooking with #StrawberryCreamCheeseHeartDanishes; we’re dying to see your version and hear about your homemade kitchen stories!
⭐️ Rate this Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes recipe and let us know what twists or ingredients you used!
Related
Looking for other recipes like Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes? Try these:
- Italian Love Cake1 Hours 20 Minutes
- Heart Shaped Brownies45 Minutes
- Berry Chocolate Lava Bites25 Minutes
- Cheesecake Brownies40 Minutes
Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes
Equipment
- 1 Heart Cutter (Stainless steel)
- 1 Baking Sheet (Large size)
- 1 Pastry brush (For egg wash)
Ingredients
- 1 sheet Frozen puff pastry - Thawed
- 4 oz Cream cheese - Softened
- 2 tablespoon Granulated sugar - For filling
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract - Pure extract
- ½ cup Fresh strawberries - Sliced
- 1 large Egg - For egg wash
Instructions
- Unfold the puff pastry and cut out eight heart shapes using a cookie cutter.
- Whisk cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla together until the mixture is light and smooth.
- Score a smaller heart inside each pastry piece to create a border for the crust.
- Dollop the cream cheese mixture into the center of each heart and spread it evenly.
- Place several strawberry slices over the cream cheese, pressing them in slightly.
- Brush the outer edges of each heart with beaten egg to help them brown.
- Bake at 400°F for 18 minutes until the edges are puffed and dark golden.
- Dust with powdered sugar once slightly cooled for a pretty final presentation.
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