Sometimes, all you need is a warm, buttery pastry that looks like it came straight from a chic downtown bakery—but was actually made in your kitchen, possibly while you were still in pajamas. Enter: the Strawberry Danish. This treat is everything a breakfast (or dessert) should be—flaky, creamy, sweet, and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor.
It’s perfect for weekend brunches, holiday mornings, or impressing guests without any stress. Even better? It starts with store-bought puff pastry. That means no kneading, proofing, or complicated dough techniques. Just unroll, fill, and bake. Within minutes, your home smells like a European bakery—and you look like a breakfast legend.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know: from ingredients and step-by-step instructions to storage tips, creative variations, and expert baking secrets. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or a beginner, this flaky Strawberry Danish recipe will become a go-to favorite.
🍓 Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Danish
- ✅ Quick & Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes with just 8 ingredients.
- ✅ Bakery-Style at Home – Get flaky pastry and creamy filling without professional equipment.
- ✅ Versatile – Works for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
- ✅ Crowd-Pleaser – Great for holiday gatherings, Mother’s Day, or baby showers.
- ✅ Customizable – Swap the fruit, add glaze, or make them mini-sized.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that make this Strawberry Danish so irresistible.
Puff Pastry
One sheet of frozen puff pastry, thawed in the fridge overnight. Look for all-butter versions for maximum flakiness and flavor.
Cream Cheese
Use full-fat, softened cream cheese. It gives the filling its luscious, tangy base—like a cheesecake in a pastry shell.
Granulated Sugar
Adds just enough sweetness to balance the tang of the cream cheese.
Vanilla Extract
One small splash makes a big impact, adding depth and warmth to the filling.
Strawberry Preserves
A jammy layer that enhances the fresh berries and helps them stay in place.
Fresh Strawberries
Thinly sliced for a sweet-tart bite that softens in the oven but stays juicy.
Egg
Beaten and brushed on the edges for that golden, glossy bakery finish.
Coarse Sugar
Optional, but highly recommended for sparkle and crunch.
👩🍳 How to Make Strawberry Danish (Step-by-Step)
🔪 Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
🔪 Step 2: Cut the Puff Pastry
Unroll the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 8 equal rectangles. Score a ½-inch border inside each piece with a knife—don’t cut through. This helps the edge rise around the filling.
🔪 Step 3: Make the Filling
In a medium bowl, mix:
- 113g (4 oz) softened cream cheese
- 1½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Whisk until creamy and smooth.
🔪 Step 4: Assemble
Spread a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture inside the scored border of each pastry. Add a teaspoon of strawberry preserves on top, then 2–3 slices of fresh strawberries.
🔪 Step 5: Egg Wash and Sugar
Brush the edges with the beaten egg. Sprinkle coarse sugar over the pastry edges for extra crunch.
🔪 Step 6: Bake
Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
🔪 Step 7: Cool and Serve
Let cool for 5–10 minutes. Serve warm or room temperature. Optional: drizzle with powdered sugar glaze.
💡 Tips for the Perfect Danish Every Time
- Keep the puff pastry cold: Warm dough gets sticky and won’t rise properly.
- Don’t overfill: Too much filling spills out during baking. Less is more.
- Use parchment paper: For easy cleanup and even baking.
- Try a cooling rack: It keeps the bottom crisp and avoids sogginess.
🕒 Make-Ahead Instructions
Hosting brunch or planning ahead? This recipe is make-ahead friendly:
- Assemble the Danish (unbaked) and cover with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator up to 12 hours before baking.
- Freeze unbaked pastries on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen—add 3–5 minutes to the baking time.
🧊 Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerate: Store baked danishes in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a toaster oven or oven at 300°F for 5–7 minutes. Avoid microwaving—it ruins the crisp.
- Freeze baked danishes: Wrap individually and store for up to 2 months.
🎨 Creative Variations and Toppings
This base recipe is incredibly flexible. Try one of these ideas:
🍑 Peach & Honey Danish
Swap strawberries for thin peach slices. Drizzle with honey before serving.
🍫 Chocolate Hazelnut Danish
Replace preserves with Nutella and top with banana slices or chopped hazelnuts.
🍋 Lemon Blueberry Danish
Use lemon curd in place of cream cheese and fresh blueberries for a tangy twist.
🍒 Cherry Almond Danish
Top with cherry preserves and slivered almonds. Finish with almond extract glaze.
❓ FAQs – Your Questions Answered
Q: Can I use homemade puff pastry?
Absolutely! It will be even flakier—but store-bought is quicker and still delicious.
Q: Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
You can, but it may result in a slightly thinner filling and less richness.
Q: What if I don’t have preserves?
Use a bit of brown sugar, cornstarch, and fresh strawberries sautéed together for a DIY jam.
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Use a gluten-free puff pastry, like Schär or Jus-Rol (if available near you).
Q: What’s the best way to slice strawberries?
Thin, even slices work best. About ⅛-inch thick ensures they soften and caramelize slightly during baking.
🍓 Strawberry Danish Recipe Card
Yield: 8 danishes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes
Author: Elena from Elena Cooks
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 113g (4 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1½ tbsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup strawberry preserves
- ½ cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp coarse sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut puff pastry into 8 rectangles. Score a ½-inch border around each piece.
- In a bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla.
- Spoon cream cheese mixture inside each scored rectangle.
- Add a small spoonful of preserves and a few strawberry slices.
- Brush edges with egg and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes or until golden and puffed.
- Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temp.
🔍 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 260 |
| Sugar | 11g |
| Fat | 15g |
| Saturated Fat | 6g |
| Carbohydrates | 28g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Protein | 4g |
| Cholesterol | 35mg |
| Sodium | 190mg |
🥞 More Sweet Breakfast Recipes
If you loved this Strawberry Danish, you’ll want to try these easy favorites next:
- No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cheesecake – A creamy dessert without turning on the oven.
- Iced Oatmeal Cookie Bars – Soft, spiced, and perfectly glazed.
- Butter Swim Biscuits – Golden and buttery with a crisp edge and fluffy center.
- Chocolate Covered Cheesecake Strawberries – An elegant twist on two beloved treats.
🍽 Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Danish is more than just a pastry—it’s a celebration of simplicity, flavor, and that cozy, comforting feeling you get when something homemade turns out just right. Whether you’re serving it with morning coffee or an after-dinner espresso, it hits the sweet spot every time.
So grab your puff pastry, preheat that oven, and let’s bake up a little flaky joy. From the kitchen of Elena Cooks—where we keep it easy, but never boring.
