There’s something absolutely magical about biting into a perfectly crafted Danish pastry—the way the buttery, flaky layers give way to sweet, tangy filling, all topped with a delicate glaze that makes each bite feel like a special occasion. These strawberry Danishes capture that bakery-quality experience while being surprisingly achievable in your own kitchen, transforming simple ingredients into something that looks and tastes professionally made.
I first attempted Danish pastry after a particularly memorable trip to a European-style bakery, where I watched the baker carefully laminating dough and creating those distinctive layers that make Danish pastry so special. While traditional puff pastry methods can be intimidating, I discovered that using frozen puff pastry as a base creates incredibly similar results with a fraction of the effort, allowing home bakers to focus on the filling and finishing touches that make these pastries truly exceptional.
What makes these strawberry Danishes truly special is how they balance multiple textures and flavors in perfect harmony. The pastry becomes golden and crispy on the outside while remaining tender and buttery inside, creating the ideal foundation for the sweet-tart strawberry filling. The cream cheese base adds richness and tang that complements the fruit beautifully, while the simple glaze provides just enough sweetness to tie everything together.
This recipe yields 12 individual Danishes, making it perfect for special weekend breakfasts, brunch entertaining, or any time you want to create something that feels indulgent and sophisticated. They’re impressive enough for guests but manageable enough for home bakers of any skill level.
Ingredients
For the Danish Base:
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
For the Strawberry Topping:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Simple Glaze:
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons whole milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional Garnish:
- Fresh strawberry slices
- Lemon zest
- Chopped toasted almonds
Instructions
Begin by preparing the strawberry filling, which needs time to cool before assembly. In a medium saucepan, combine the diced strawberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir gently to combine, being careful not to break up the strawberry pieces too much.
Cook the strawberry mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 8-10 minutes until the strawberries have released their juices and the mixture has thickened to a jam-like consistency. The cornstarch will help it set properly and prevent the filling from making the pastry soggy during baking.
Remove the strawberry filling from heat and let it cool completely while you prepare the other components. The filling should be thick enough to hold its shape when spooned but not so thick that it’s difficult to spread.
For the cream cheese filling, combine the softened cream cheese and sugar in a mixing bowl, beating with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg yolk, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and flour, beating until well combined and completely smooth. This mixture should be thick but spreadable.
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. The high temperature is essential for achieving the proper puff and golden color that makes Danish pastry so appealing.
Remove the thawed puff pastry from the refrigerator and work with one sheet at a time, keeping the other chilled until ready to use. On a lightly floured surface, gently roll each sheet into a 12×12 inch square, which will give you 6 pieces per sheet when cut.
Cut each pastry sheet into 6 equal squares, each approximately 4×4 inches. You’ll have 12 squares total, which creates the perfect individual portion size for Danish pastries.
For each Danish, create the traditional shape by making diagonal cuts from each corner toward the center, stopping about 1 inch from the middle. This creates 8 triangular flaps that you can fold to create the classic pinwheel or envelope shape.
Place about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese filling in the center of each pastry square, spreading it gently to leave room for the strawberry topping and to allow for the pastry folding.
Top the cream cheese with about 1 teaspoon of the cooled strawberry filling, being careful not to overfill as this can cause leaking during baking.
To shape the Danishes, fold alternating flaps of pastry over the filling, creating a pinwheel pattern that partially covers the filling while leaving some visible. Press the folded edges gently to help them stay in place during baking.
Transfer the shaped Danishes to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for expansion during baking.
In a small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and milk to create an egg wash. Brush this mixture over all the exposed pastry surfaces—this creates that beautiful golden-brown color and glossy finish that makes bakery pastries so appealing.
Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown all over. The Danishes should look crispy and well-risen, with the filling set but not browned.
While the Danishes bake, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth. The consistency should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but thin enough to drizzle easily. Adjust with more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
Remove the Danishes from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. They need this initial cooling time to set properly and prevent falling apart.
Once the Danishes have cooled for about 15 minutes but are still slightly warm, drizzle with the prepared glaze using a spoon or piping bag. The slight warmth helps the glaze set with a beautiful finish.
Flavor and Texture Notes
These strawberry Danishes deliver the perfect bakery-style experience with layers of buttery, flaky pastry that shatter delicately when you bite through them. The puff pastry creates those coveted laminated layers that provide both visual appeal and incredible texture—crispy and golden on the outside while remaining tender and buttery within.
The cream cheese filling provides rich, tangy contrast to the sweet pastry, with the lemon zest adding bright citrus notes that enhance both the cream cheese and strawberry flavors. The filling maintains a smooth, creamy texture that complements rather than competes with the fruit topping.
The strawberry filling offers intense, concentrated fruit flavor with just enough sweetness to balance the natural tartness of the berries. Cooking the strawberries down creates a jam-like consistency that won’t make the pastry soggy while delivering pure strawberry essence in every bite.
The simple glaze adds the perfect finishing touch—providing gentle sweetness and visual appeal while allowing all the other flavors to shine through. It creates that professional bakery appearance that makes these Danishes look as impressive as they taste.
Tips and Variations
The key to successful Danish pastry is keeping everything properly chilled. Work quickly with the puff pastry and return it to the refrigerator if it becomes too warm and difficult to handle. Warm pastry won’t hold its shape and may not puff properly during baking.
Don’t overfill the Danishes—too much filling will cause them to leak during baking and prevent proper puffing. Less is more when it comes to achieving the perfect balance of pastry to filling.
For the best strawberry flavor, use ripe, in-season berries when possible. If fresh strawberries aren’t available, frozen berries can be substituted—just thaw and drain them thoroughly before cooking to remove excess moisture.
Create variations by substituting other fruits for the strawberries. Blueberries, raspberries, or diced apples all work beautifully with the cream cheese base. You can also add almond extract to the filling for a more traditional Danish flavor profile.
For a more indulgent version, add a tablespoon of mascarpone or heavy cream to the cream cheese filling for extra richness, or fold in a few tablespoons of white chocolate chips for added sweetness and texture.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
These Danishes are best enjoyed the day they’re made, preferably within a few hours of baking when the pastry is at its crispiest. However, they can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, though the pastry will soften somewhat.
The strawberry and cream cheese fillings can both be prepared up to 2 days ahead and stored separately in the refrigerator. This makes assembly day much quicker and easier, especially when entertaining.
You can assemble the Danishes completely and refrigerate them for up to 4 hours before baking, which is helpful for morning entertaining. Cover them lightly with plastic wrap and add a few extra minutes to the baking time if they’re going into the oven cold.
For longer storage, freeze the assembled, unbaked Danishes on baking sheets until solid, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 1 month. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5-8 minutes to the cooking time.
Leftover Danishes can be refreshed in a 350°F oven for 5-8 minutes to restore some crispness to the pastry, though they won’t be quite as perfect as when fresh.
Serving Suggestions
These elegant Danishes are perfect for special weekend breakfasts or brunch entertaining. Arrange them on a beautiful platter alongside fresh berries and perhaps some crispy strips or sausage for a complete brunch spread that will impress any guests.
They pair wonderfully with freshly brewed coffee, tea, or even champagne for more celebratory occasions. The buttery pastry and fruit flavors complement both bold and delicate beverages beautifully.
For a more casual presentation, serve them as an afternoon treat with coffee or as a special dessert that’s not too heavy after a light meal. They’re substantial enough to be satisfying but not so rich that they feel overwhelming.
Consider serving them as part of a European-style breakfast or brunch buffet alongside other pastries, fresh fruit, and quality cheeses for an elegant spread that encourages lingering and conversation.
FAQ
Can I use homemade puff pastry instead of frozen? Absolutely! Homemade puff pastry will work beautifully and may even provide better flavor and texture. Just make sure it’s properly chilled and rolled to the right thickness for consistent results.
What if my strawberry filling is too thin? If your filling seems thin after cooking, mix an additional teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and stir it into the hot mixture, cooking for another minute until thickened. Always let it cool completely before using.
Can I make these without the cream cheese filling? While the cream cheese adds richness and authentic Danish flavor, you can make them with just the strawberry filling. You might want to increase the strawberry mixture slightly to ensure adequate filling in each pastry.
Why didn’t my pastry puff properly? This usually happens when the pastry gets too warm during handling, the oven temperature is too low, or the pastry was overworked. Make sure your oven is fully preheated and work quickly with cold pastry for the best results.
Can I freeze these after baking? While possible, baked Danishes don’t freeze as well as unbaked ones because the pastry loses its crispness. If you must freeze baked Danishes, wrap them individually and reheat in a 350°F oven to restore some texture.
These strawberry Danishes prove that bakery-quality pastries are absolutely achievable at home with the right techniques and a little patience. They combine the satisfaction of homemade baking with the elegance of professional pastry, creating something that’s both impressive and deeply satisfying to make and eat. Whether you’re treating yourself to a special weekend breakfast or creating a memorable brunch for guests, these Danishes deliver the kind of indulgent experience that makes ordinary mornings feel extraordinary. The combination of buttery pastry, creamy filling, and bright strawberry flavor creates the perfect balance of comfort and sophistication that defines the very best baked goods.
