Description
Make flaky heart-shaped danishes with puff pastry, sweet cream cheese filling, and fresh strawberries for a lovely breakfast or dessert treat. These pastries are flaky, sweet, and perfect for spring brunches or celebrations.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed to package directions
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup fresh strawberries, diced
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar for dusting (Optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
- Unfold the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Use a 3-inch heart cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes and place them on the baking sheet spaced about 1 inch apart.
- With a small knife or a smaller cookie cutter, score a shallow border inside each heart about ¼ inch from the edge, careful not to cut all the way through.
- Spoon about ½ tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each heart, spreading within the scored area. Top with diced strawberries, keeping fruit inside the cut border.
- Whisk the egg with cold water. Brush the exposed pastry border on each heart with the egg wash.
- Bake for 15–17 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Let cool on the sheet for 5 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- Use February-March strawberries for best flavor if available.
- Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Pastry
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American