Strawberry Danish: Delight in This Easy Creamy Recipe

This Strawberry Danish is a sweet, flaky pastry filled with creamy cream cheese and topped with fresh strawberries. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or any time you want an impressive treat. The combination of buttery puff pastry, smooth cream cheese, sweet jam, and juicy strawberries makes each bite indulgent yet fresh.

 Ingredients

Cream Cheese Filling

• Cream cheese, at room temperature

• Granulated sugar

• Lemon zest

• Vanilla extract

Pastry

• Thawed puff pastry sheets

• Large egg (for egg wash)

• Strawberry jam

Glaze

• Powdered sugar

• Milk or heavy cream

• Vanilla extract

Topping

• Fresh strawberries, sliced

 Instructions

1. Prepare the Filling:
   Beat cream cheese, sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.

2. Prepare Puff Pastry:
   Lay out thawed puff pastry on a floured surface. Cut into 1-inch strips.

3. Shape the Pastry:
   Twist each strip gently and coil into a loose round. Place on a baking sheet.

4. Chill:
   Refrigerate shaped pastries for 15 minutes to help them puff evenly.

5. Preheat Oven:
   Set oven to 400°F (200°C).

6. Fill & Glaze:
   Make a small groove in the center of each pastry round. Brush edges with beaten egg. Add a scoop of cream cheese filling, a spoon of strawberry jam, then a little more jam on top.

7. Bake:
   Bake for about 18 minutes until pastries are puffed and golden.

8. Prepare Glaze:
   Mix powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla until smooth.

9. Assemble & Serve:
   Once slightly cooled, top with fresh strawberries and drizzle glaze over the Danish. Serve warm.

 Tips for Best Results

• Use room-temperature cream cheese for a smoother filling.

• Chill pastries before baking to help them puff evenly.

• Watch baking time to avoid over-browning.

• Substitute other fruits like blueberries or raspberries if desired.

 Serving Suggestions

• Pair with coffee or tea

• Serve alongside fresh fruit salad

• Add whipped cream or extra powdered sugar for presentation

 Time & Yield

• Prep time: ~30 minutes

• Bake time: ~18 minutes

• Total time: ~48 minutes

• Yield: About 16 pastries (depending on how strips are cut and shaped)

 Conclusion

This Strawberry Danish is flaky, creamy, and fruity, with minimal effort thanks to puff pastry. The combination of sweet cream cheese, fresh strawberries, and buttery pastry creates a bakery-quality treat at home. Perfect for brunch, dessert, or a special breakfast, it’s both delicious and visually impressive