Name: Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature; 3 tablespoons sugar; 1 egg yolk; 1 sheet puff pastry (1/2 of a 450g box), cold; 1 egg white; 1 tablespoon water; 16 strawberries, very thinly sliced; 3 tablespoons strawberry jam, warmed

If you love a treat that’s both simple to make and guaranteed to impress, these Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish pastries will absolutely steal your heart. Imagine flaky layers of golden puff pastry hugging a creamy, sweet cheese filling, then topped with shimmering, fresh strawberries—every bite is a little celebration of spring!

Why You Should Make This Recipe

Bakery-Quality at Home: With just a handful of everyday ingredients, you get mouthwatering, pastry shop-worthy results—without leaving your kitchen!
Quick and Effortless: From start to finish, these Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish only take about 30 minutes—hello, spontaneous brunch!
Family-Friendly Fun: Kids can help with assembly, and everyone loves customizing their own with fresh strawberry slices.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re celebrating or just craving something a little special, these danish are elegant enough for guests but easy enough for a weekday treat!

Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients & Substitutions

The beauty of this Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish recipe is that you only need a few essential players, but each one shines—bringing just the right touch of flavor, richness, or flaky structure to every bite. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a few tips for tweaks and swaps!

Cream Cheese: Gives that signature creamy, tangy filling. Room temperature cream cheese blends smoothly (no lumps!).
Sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps everything meld into a luscious bite—you can use granulated or substitute with superfine sugar for silky texture.
Egg Yolk: Adds extra richness and helps thicken the cream cheese mixture, making it custardy and decadent.
Puff Pastry: Store-bought puff pastry is your shortcut to flaky, buttery layers—just keep it cold until rolling for optimal rise!
Egg White & Water: This simple “egg wash” gives the danishes their gorgeous, glossy golden edges. Don’t skip it!
Strawberries: Ultra-thin fresh slices give you maximum berry flavor and vibrant color—choose ripe berries for best results.
Strawberry Jam: A quick swipe of warmed jam locks in shine, amplifies strawberry flavor, and keeps everything beautifully juicy.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish

Step 1: Prep Your Pastry and Filling

Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, blend together the softened cream cheese, sugar, and egg yolk until it’s velvety-smooth—no lumps allowed! While that magic happens, pull your puff pastry from the fridge and dust your surface for rolling.

Step 2: Shape and Fill the Danishes

Gently roll out your puff pastry into a rough 12-inch square. Slice the square in half down the middle, then cut each half into four rectangles. Arrange these on your baking sheets. Next, spoon a generous dollop of cream cheese mixture onto each rectangle, spreading it out but leaving about half an inch of exposed pastry around the edges.

Step 3: Add Egg Wash and Bake

Beat the egg white with a splash of water for your egg wash, then use a pastry brush to paint the edges of each pastry. This step ensures those edges become delightfully golden and shiny. Bake the danish for 15 minutes, until puffed and deeply golden. Resist temptation—let them cool 20–30 minutes for perfect texture!

Step 4: Top with Strawberries & Jam

Once cooled, layer each pastry with delicate slices of fresh strawberry. Finish with a generous brush of warmed strawberry jam to give that beautiful, glossy finish. Your Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish are now ready to steal the spotlight!

How to Serve Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish

Garnishes

A little flourish can turn these pastries into pure art—try a light dusting of powdered sugar, a few mint leaves, or even a tiny drizzle of additional jam. For extra sparkle, add a few micro-planed lemon zest shavings—it really brightens up every slice!

Side Dishes

For breakfast or brunch, serve your Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish with a bowl of Greek yogurt, a fruit salad, or some scrambled eggs for contrast. For a sweet coffee break, pair with a frothy cappuccino or a pot of black tea—there’s something here for every craving.

Creative Ways to Present

Create a dazzling Danish board with pastries clustered among extra strawberries, tiny bowls of jam, and cream cheese swirls—or plate each on dainty china for an afternoon tea spread. Wrap individually and tuck into lunchboxes for the world’s happiest midday surprise!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish loosely covered with plastic wrap on the counter if eating within 6–8 hours—after that, refrigerate to keep the cream cheese filling fresh and safe.

Freezing

If you want to keep your treats longer, you can freeze the fully assembled but unbaked pastries between layers of parchment in an airtight container. Once baked, danishes freeze best without strawberries on top; add fresh toppings after thawing for best texture.

Reheating

Warm leftover danishes in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes to regain that dreamy, just-baked crispness. If they’ve been refrigerated, let them come up to room temperature first for the flakiest results—then garnish with strawberries and jam.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Fresh strawberries really shine here, but in a pinch, you can use thawed frozen berries. Just be sure to pat them dry very well to keep the pastry crisp and avoid sogginess.
Can I substitute other fruit or jam?

Absolutely! Try raspberries, blueberries, or peaches with matching jams. The base recipe for Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish is endlessly adaptable, so swap in your favorite seasonal fruit.
Do I have to use store-bought puff pastry?

Store-bought puff pastry is a time-saver, but if you’re feeling ambitious, homemade totally works! Just keep the pastry very cold before baking for the best flaky layers.
Can Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish be made ahead?

You can assemble the pastries ahead (minus the fresh berries and jam), refrigerate overnight, then bake fresh in the morning. Add strawberries and jam once cooled for bakery-fresh flavor.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something extra joyful about sharing a homemade Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish—whether it’s part of your weekend breakfast ritual or a spontaneous treat for friends. Give this easy recipe a try, and I think you’ll fall for its irresistible mix of crispy pastry, creamy filling, and jammy, glossy strawberries. Happy baking!