Imagine sinking your teeth into a Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish, a pastry that embodies the artistry of traditional baking with a modern twist. Picture a golden, flaky crust that shatters delicately at the slightest touch, revealing layers meticulously folded to perfection.
As you take your first bite, the crisp exterior gives way to a velvety interior, where a luscious cream cheese filling awaits. Its richness is balanced by a subtle tanginess that dances on your palate, complementing the sweetness of ripe, juicy strawberries nestled within.
Each bite is a symphony of textures: the buttery, airy layers of pastry meld seamlessly with the smooth, creamy cheese, punctuated by bursts of fruity freshness from the strawberries. The pastry itself is a work of culinary craftsmanship, its exterior glistening with a light sheen from a delicate sugar glaze,
hinting at the sweetness within. Its aroma is irresistible — a tantalizing blend of warm pastry, creamy cheese, and the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries, beckoning you to indulge further.
This Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish is not just a pastry; it’s a sensory experience that evokes memories of lazy mornings spent in quaint bakeries or joyful gatherings around a brunch table. It’s a testament to the harmonious marriage of flavors and textures, where each element plays its part in creating a dessert that is both comforting and indulgent.
Whether enjoyed with a cup of steaming coffee or as a decadent treat on its own, this Danish promises to leave a lasting impression, its flavors lingering on your taste buds long after the last crumb has been savored.
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup strawberry jam (or similar)
- 1/2 cup strawberries sliced
- 1 egg + 1 tablespoon water (egg wash, optional)
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Roll out the puff pastry sheet and slice it down the center, lengthwise to form two long rectangular danishes.
3. Using a sharp knife, score the puff pastry to form a 1/2 inch border all the way around. Do not to cut all the way through the puff pastry.
4. Use a fork to poke holes in the center portions of the puff pastry.
5. In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, sugar, and lemon juice to create the cream cheese layer.
6. Use the back of a spoon to spread the cream cheese mixture into the center of both puff pastry danishes.
7. Dollop the strawberry jam into the center of the cream cheese layer and gently spread it with the back of a spoon. Don’t cover the cream cheese layer completely, allowing a border of cream cheese to create a border around the strawberry layer.
8. Top the jam with sliced strawberries.
9. In a small bowl, whisk the egg and water together to make an egg wash (if using) and brush the border of each puff pastry danish.
10. Bake the danishes for 20 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. Allow the danishes to cool on the baking sheets for about 10 minutes.
11. To make the icing, mix the the powdered sugar with the milk and vanilla extract. Drizzle it over top of the danishes