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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Fresh Strawberry Danish

    July 27, 2022 by Kristen Espino 2 Comments

    89 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    You will absolutely love this fresh strawberry danish. It's flaky, buttery and has a delicious lemon cream cheese filling. Each danish is topped with sweet strawberries and a drizzle of vanilla icing.

    Fresh strawberry danish filled with lemon cream cheese and vanilla icing drizzle.

    If you love freshly baked pastries then this fresh strawberry danish is the one for you. The cream cheese filling is flavored with fresh lemon zest and the strawberries are tossed with brown sugar, lemon juice and ground cinnamon.

    These danishes are similar to what you get at a bakery but without all the fuss. You won't believe how easy they are to make.

    For more breakfast recipes, try Custard French Toast and Peanut Butter Acai Bowl.

    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This Recipe
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step By Step Instructions
    • Expert Baking Tips
    • FAQ
    • Storing and Freezing
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    • Fresh Strawberries- This recipe uses fresh strawberries instead of jam. You get so much strawberry flavor in every bite.
    • Cream cheese filling- Each danish has a creamy cream cheese filling that is flavored with fresh lemon zest. It pairs perfectly with the fresh strawberries.
    • Puff Pastry- Once baked, the puff pastry has crispy edges but creamy, fruity centers. You won't be able to have just one!
    • Easy to make- This recipe is so easy to make. With store bought puff pastry and a handful of ingredients, you can have freshly baked danishes in less than 40 minutes.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Puff Pastry- I use frozen puff pastry for this recipe. You can find them inside the freezer section at the grocery story. Each package comes with two sheets.
    • Strawberries- Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor. Do not use frozen, as they will release too much juice.
    • Cream cheese- Use full fat cream cheese for the best creamy centers. Pull from the refrigerator 1 hour before baking.
    • Lemon- Use the zest for the cream cheese filling and the juice for the strawberries. Do not use the bottled lemon juice.
    • Sugars- I use white granulated sugar inside the filling and I toss the brown sugar with the strawberries.
    • Vanilla extract- Use pure vanilla extract instead of imitation for the best flavor.
    • Cornstarch- This will help thicken the strawberries.
    Fresh strawberry danish with cream cheese filling and fresh strawberries baked on top.

    Step By Step Instructions

    STEP 1: Roll out puff pastry. First, defrost frozen puff pastry inside the refrigerator overnight Unroll onto a dry surface. Use a 4" Mickey shaped cookie cutter to punch out dough (optional). You can also cut them into rectangles if you'd like.

    Take a round cookie cutter and gently score the center of each puff pastry, leaving a ¼" border. Poke the center a couple of times with a fork. This will ensure the edges rise but the centers remain flat.

    STEP 2: Make cream cheese filling. Using a handheld mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar, lemon zest and vanilla extract.

    STEP 3: Cut strawberries. Remove stems and cut strawberries in half. Take each half and cut into fours. Toss strawberries with brown sugar, lemon juice and cornstarch.

    Mickey shaped puff pastry
    Scored mickey shaped puff pastry cut out.
    Mickey shaped puff pastry topped with lemon cream cheese.

    STEP 4: Add filling. Spoon 1 tablespoon of cream cheese filling onto each circle. Spread it to the edge of each circle. Top with diced strawberries.

    STEP 5: Make egg wash. Mix egg yolk with heavy cream. Then, brush egg wash along the edges of the puff pastry.

    STEP 6: Bake danishes. Place pan inside a 400° oven for 15-17 minutes until golden brown.

    Diced strawberries with brown sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice.
    Mickey shaped puff pastry topped with cream cheese filling and fresh strawberries.
    Fresh strawberry danish brushed with egg wash.

    STEP 7: Make icing. Whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract and heavy cream. Once danishes have cooled slightly, drizzle icing on top.

    Expert Baking Tips

    Always thaw the puff pastry completely before unrolling. The puff pastry will crack and tear if it is still frozen.

    After baking, give the danishes a couple of minutes to cool down before you drizzle the icing on top. If the danishes are too hot, it will cause the icing to melt off.

    Use a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon to add the filling and strawberries so that each one has the same amount.

    Don't forget to brush your danishes with egg wash. Brushing an egg wash on top not only helps give these danishes a nice golden color, but also a beautiful shine.

    Fresh strawberry danish filled with lemon cream cheese, diced strawberries and vanilla glaze.

    FAQ

    Can I make these ahead of time?

    Yes, you can make these danishes the night before and reheat them inside the toaster oven until they are crisp and warmed through.

    What other fruit can I use?

    Any type of fresh fruit would work. Berries, apricots, cherries or peaches are all great options.

    Can I skip the Mickey shape?

    Absolutely! Feel free to use the entire puff pastry sheet and cut them into rectangles. I would suggest doubling the cream cheese filling and strawberry mixture.

    Crispy puff pastry filled with lemon cream cheese and fresh strawberries.

    Storing and Freezing

    Store any leftover strawberry danish inside an airtight container. Because of the fresh strawberries, I recommend refrigerating them rather than leaving them at room temperature.

    Let them come to room temperature before eating or reheat them inside a toaster oven for 5-7 minutes until they are warm and crispy.

    Freezing

    Since we use fresh strawberries, I do not recommend freezing any leftover danish. The strawberries will become mushy and not be as enjoyable.

    Mickey shaped puff pastry filled with cream cheese, strawberries and vanilla icing.

    Other Strawberry Recipes To Try

    • Strawberry and White Chocolate Cheesecake
    • Strawberry and Banana Milkshake
    • Strawberry Apple Pie
    • Easy Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes

    Make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW if you loved this recipe. Make sure to tag me on Instagram @theepicureanmouse. To get more family-fun recipes, follow me on Pinterest.

    📖 Recipe

    Fresh Strawberry Danish

    Kristen Espino
    If you love freshly baked pastries then this fresh strawberry danish is the one for you. The cream cheese filling is flavored with fresh lemon zest and the strawberries are tossed with brown sugar, lemon juice and ground cinnamon. 
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 17 mins
    Total Time 32 mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 danishes
    Calories 444 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 Frozen sheets puff pastry thawed overnight in refrigerator
    • 4 oz Cream cheese room temperature
    • 2 tablespoon White granulated sugar
    • 1 Lemon zest
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
    • 1 cup Strawberries, fresh diced
    • 1 teaspoon Lemon juice fresh
    • 2 teaspoon Dark brown sugar
    • 2 teaspoon Cornstarch
    • ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon, ground
    • 1 Egg yolk
    • 1 tablespoon Heavy cream

    Vanilla Icing

    • ½ cup Powdered sugar
    • 2 tablespoon Heavy cream
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • Thaw puff pastry inside refrigerator overnight. When ready to use unroll onto a dry surface. Using a 4" Mickey shaped cookie cutter, punch out dough. Place onto a parchment lined sheet pan. Score centers with round cookie cutter, leaving ¼" border. Poke centers a couple times with a fork. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to bake.
    • Use a hand mixer to beat cream cheese with sugar, lemon zest and vanilla extract.
    • Dice strawberries and toss with brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon and cornstarch.
    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Remove puff dough from the refrigerator. Place 1 tablespoon of cream cheese filling in the center of each mickey shape. Spread to the edge of the circle. Top with diced strawberries.
    • Mix together egg yolk and heavy cream. Brush the edges with egg wash. Bake for 15-17 minutes until golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes.

    Vanilla Icing

    • Whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract and heavy cream. Drizzle over danishes. Serve immediately.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 444kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 6gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 201mgPotassium: 114mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 312IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword strawberry danish, cream cheese, fresh strawberries, vanilla icing, puff pastry, mickey shaped
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Melissa

      August 05, 2022 at 12:00 am

      5 stars
      This was a great recipe. I used kitehill dairy free cream cheese and it still worked beautifully. I have to practice making icing but these taste so good and look cute even if you don't have the mickey cookie cutters. (Though I'm probably buying some soon.)

      Reply
      • Kristen Espino

        August 05, 2022 at 5:58 am

        Thank you so much! I'm so glad you liked the recipe and I appreciate you leaving a comment!

        Reply

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    The creator and recipe maker for The Epicurean Mouse. I'm a professional Pastry Chef turned stay at home mom who loves to create delicious family-friendly recipes for you to make at home.

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