These lovely Strawberry Danish Hearts are flaky and sweet, filled with fresh strawberries and cream cheese. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet treat anytime!
Baking these is like a big hug for your kitchen! I love serving them warm with a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top, making every bite extra special and delicious!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Puff Pastry: This is the star ingredient for a flaky texture. You can use store-bought for convenience. If you want to make it from scratch, consider a simple pie crust instead, but it’ll be less flaky.
Cream Cheese: I love the richness it adds. If you’re looking for a lighter option, try ricotta or Greek yogurt, which still gives that creamy texture but with fewer calories.
Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are the best, but you can substitute with raspberries or blueberries for a different flavor. Frozen berries work, but drain excess moisture before using.
Vanilla Extract: This adds warmth, but you can swap it with almond extract for a more unique twist. Just use half the amount, as it’s stronger.
How Do I Make Sure My Danish Hearts are Perfectly Flaky?
Getting that flaky texture depends on how you handle the puff pastry. Keep it cold and avoid overworking it. Here are some tips:
- Make sure the puff pastry is nice and cold before cutting. If it starts to get warm, pop it back in the fridge for a bit.
- Don’t skip the egg wash—this gives it a lovely golden color and helps seal the edges.
- When shaping your hearts, be gentle. Press just enough to seal without flattening the pastry too much.
- For best results, allow the pastries to cool on a wire rack to keep them crisp after baking.
With these tips, you’re sure to have perfectly flaky Strawberry Danish Hearts that your friends and family will love!
How to Make Strawberry Danish Hearts
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 package (about 8 oz) puff pastry sheets, thawed
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon strawberry jam or preserves
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe takes about 20 minutes of prep time and around 15-18 minutes of baking time. Overall, you should expect to spend about 40-45 minutes in total from start to finish. Perfect for a cozy afternoon treat!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare:
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While the oven heats, line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the pastries don’t stick.
2. Shape the Puff Pastry:
On a lightly floured surface, unfold one of the puff pastry sheets. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter (about 3-4 inches in size), cut out heart shapes from the dough. Do the same with the second sheet so you have pairs of hearts.
3. Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
In a mixing bowl, blend the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice (if using) until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. This will be the delicious filling for your Danish hearts!
4. Add the Cream Cheese Mixture:
Take half of the heart-shaped pastries and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Spread a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture on each heart, making sure to leave a small 1/4 inch border around the edges.
5. Top with Strawberries:
Next, arrange the thinly sliced strawberries on top of the cream cheese layer. This is where the delicious strawberry flavor comes into play!
6. Add Strawberry Jam:
Dollop a small amount of strawberry jam or preserves over the sliced strawberries. This adds extra sweetness and gives a shiny finish.
7. Seal Your Pastries:
Brush the edges of the filled hearts with the beaten egg to help seal them. Place the remaining heart-shaped pastries on top. Press gently but firmly around the edges to create a sandwich and ensure the filling stays inside.
8. Crimp and Cut:
Using a fork or your fingers, gently press or crimp the edges to secure them. If you like, cut a couple of small slits on top to let steam escape during baking.
9. Brush with Egg Wash:
Brush the surface of each pastry with the beaten egg wash. This will give them a beautiful golden color when baked.
10. Bake:
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-18 minutes, or until the pastries are puffed and golden brown. Your kitchen will smell incredible!
11. Cool and Dust:
Once baked, remove the pastries from the oven and let them cool slightly. Before serving, give them a light dusting of powdered sugar for a pretty finish.
Enjoy these Strawberry Danish Hearts warm or at room temperature. They make for a delightful treat that everyone will love!
Can I Use Frozen Puff Pastry Instead of Fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen puff pastry works great for this recipe. Just make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a couple of hours before using it. Follow the rest of the recipe as usual!
How Can I Make This Recipe Dairy-Free?
You can substitute the cream cheese with a dairy-free cream cheese alternative or use a mixture of silken tofu blended with a little maple syrup and vanilla extract. Additionally, check the puff pastry for dairy ingredients—many brands are dairy-free!
What Can I Do If I Don’t Have Fresh Strawberries?
If fresh strawberries aren’t available, you can use frozen strawberries! Just be sure to thaw and drain the excess moisture before slicing them. Alternatively, any fresh berries like raspberries or blueberries can also work well in this recipe!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes to get them warm and flaky again!
