Homemade Strawberry Cream Danish

This homemade Strawberry Cream Danish recipe transforms simple ingredients into bakery-quality pastries that look as stunning as they taste delicious. The heart-shaped treats combine buttery, flaky dough with creamy cheese filling and fresh strawberries for a breakfast or dessert that's sure to impress.

I first made these for my sister's baby shower and watched as guests assumed they were from an upscale bakery. Their delighted faces when I revealed they were homemade still makes me smile every time I prepare this recipe.

Ingredients

• Warm water: Activates the yeast and starts the rising process for a perfectly textured dough
• Active dry yeast: Provides the foundation for a light, airy pastry that puffs beautifully
• Room temperature milk and egg: Ensure smooth incorporation into the dough without cooling the mixture
• Sugar: Balances the tanginess of the cream cheese and enhances the yeast activity
• Cold unsalted butter: Creates those signature flaky layers that make danishes irresistible
• Cream cheese: Forms a rich, tangy base for the filling that complements the sweet strawberries
• Fresh strawberries: Add bright color, natural sweetness, and a touch of elegance to each pastry
• Vanilla extract: Enhances both the filling and optional glaze with warm aromatic notes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Activate the Yeast:

Dissolve the yeast in warm water around 105°F to 110°F and wait approximately 5 minutes until it becomes frothy. This step confirms your yeast is active and will properly leaven your dough.

Create the Base Dough:

In a large bowl, combine the activated yeast mixture with room temperature milk, egg, sugar, salt, and half the flour. Mix until completely smooth before gradually incorporating the remaining flour until a cohesive dough forms. The gradual addition prevents flour pockets and ensures even hydration.

Incorporate the Butter:

Work the cold butter into the dough using a folding technique similar to making croissants. This creates multiple thin layers of butter between dough layers which will expand during baking to create that signature flaky texture. Fold and turn the dough several times to develop these layers.

Chill the Dough:

Refrigerate the dough for at least one hour, allowing the butter to firm up between the layers and the gluten to relax. This makes the dough easier to roll and helps maintain those distinct buttery layers during baking.

Shape the Danishes:

On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to approximately 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into heart shapes either using a cookie cutter or by hand with a sharp knife. Transfer the cut shapes to a parchment lined baking sheet, leaving space between each for expansion.

Allow for Rising:

Let the shaped dough hearts rest in a warm, draft free spot for about 30 minutes until they puff slightly. This final rise creates an airy texture in the finished pastry while the oven preheats to 375°F.

Prepare the Filling:

Mix softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until perfectly smooth and creamy. The filling should be soft enough to spread but firm enough to hold its shape during baking.

Assemble the Danishes:

Spoon a generous tablespoon of the cream cheese filling into the center of each heart shaped dough. Either mix chopped strawberries directly into the filling or place fresh strawberry slices decoratively on top of the cream cheese mixture.

Bake to Perfection:

Bake the assembled danishes for 15 to 20 minutes, watching carefully as they transform into golden brown pastries with puffed edges. The filling should be set but still maintain a slight jiggle in the center.

Glaze and Finish:

If desired, prepare a simple glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk or water, and vanilla until smooth. Once the danishes have cooled for at least 10 minutes, drizzle the glaze over them for a professional bakery finish and enhanced sweetness.

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These danishes remind me of the European bakeries I visited during my travels through Denmark. The contrast between the buttery pastry and sweet strawberry filling always brings me back to those little shops where I first fell in love with authentic Danish pastries.

Make-Ahead Options

The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility for busy schedules. You can prepare the dough up to three days in advance and keep it refrigerated until ready to use. For even more convenience, you can shape the pastries and freeze them unbaked. Simply place shaped hearts on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, allow to rise at room temperature for about an hour, add filling, and bake as directed.

Flavor Variations

While strawberries create a classic Danish, this versatile recipe welcomes creative adaptations. Try blueberries, raspberries, or thinly sliced peaches during summer months. For fall and winter variations, consider apple butter, cinnamon spiced pear, or orange marmalade. The cream cheese base works beautifully with any fruit combination, allowing you to adapt to seasonal availability or personal preferences. My personal favorite alternative is mixing the cream cheese with a tablespoon of lemon zest for a bright citrus variation.

Serving Suggestions

These danishes make a stunning centerpiece for breakfast or brunch gatherings. Serve them slightly warm alongside a fruit salad and coffee for a complete morning spread. For dessert presentations, add a light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving and pair with vanilla bean ice cream or fresh whipped cream. When hosting larger groups, consider making mini versions by using a smaller cutter, which creates perfect two bite treats for buffet style service.

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Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance and keep it refrigerated. This actually helps develop more flavor and makes the cold butter easier to work with. Just bring it to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before rolling out.

→ Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Frozen strawberries can work, but they should be thawed and well-drained first to prevent excess moisture from making the filling too runny. Pat them dry with paper towels before adding to the cream cheese mixture.

→ How do I store leftover danishes?

Store cooled danishes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can warm them slightly in the microwave or oven before serving. For longer storage, freeze unglazed danishes for up to 1 month and add glaze after thawing.

→ Can I use other fruits instead of strawberries?

Absolutely! This danish works wonderfully with other berries like blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries. You could also try peaches, apples, or cherries - just make sure to adjust sweetness as needed depending on the fruit's natural sweetness.

→ What if my dough isn't rising properly?

If your dough isn't rising, check that your yeast is fresh and that the water wasn't too hot (which can kill the yeast). The rising environment should be warm but not hot. You can create a perfect rising spot by turning your oven on for just a minute, then turning it off and placing the dough inside with the door closed.

→ Can I make these in different shapes?

Yes! While heart shapes are charming, you can make traditional square danishes, rounds, or even braided danishes. The key is maintaining even thickness when rolling the dough so they bake uniformly.