Imagine biting into a perfectly golden, flaky pastry that's not just a treat for your taste buds, but a feast for your eyes! These heart-shaped strawberry Danishes are the ultimate romantic dessert that combines the delicate sweetness of fresh strawberries, the creamy richness of cream cheese, and the buttery layers of puff pastry. Whether you're looking to impress your valentine, celebrate a special occasion, or simply treat yourself to a moment of pure culinary bliss, these stunning pastries are guaranteed to make hearts flutter and mouths water!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Danish
Serves: 8 pastries
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, combine sliced strawberries, 1/4 cup sugar, and vanilla extract. Let the mixture macerate for 10 minutes to release natural juices.
- In another bowl, mix softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet and cut into 8 equal heart shapes using a heart-shaped cookie cutter or by carefully tracing and cutting with a knife.
- Place half of the heart-shaped pastry pieces on the prepared baking sheet.
- Spread a thin layer of cream cheese mixture in the center of each pastry base, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Top the cream cheese with macerated strawberry slices, arranging them carefully.
- Cover each filled heart with the remaining pastry hearts, gently pressing edges to seal.
- Use a fork to crimp and seal the edges of each Danish pastry.
- Brush the top of each pastry with beaten egg wash for a golden, shiny finish.
- Cut small vents on top of each pastry to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until pastries are puffed and golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving.
- Optional: Dust with additional powdered sugar before serving for extra sweetness.
Tips
- Ensure your puff pastry is completely thawed but still cold for the best rise and flakiness.
- Let strawberries macerate in sugar for at least 10 minutes to intensify their natural sweetness and release juices.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter for precise and uniform pastry shapes, or create a template from parchment paper.
- Don't overfill the pastries to prevent leaking during baking.
- Make sure to seal edges completely with a fork to keep filling inside.
- Use a sharp knife to create small vents, which prevents the pastry from becoming soggy.
- Egg wash is key to achieving that beautiful golden-brown shine.
- Let pastries cool slightly before serving to allow filling to set.
- For an extra touch, serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 55mg
