A Sweet, Flaky Treat Perfect for Valentine’s Day or Special Brunches
These Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes are the perfect combination of buttery puff pastry, creamy sweetened cream cheese, and fresh strawberries. Shaped like hearts, they’re ideal for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, baby showers, or anytime you want a dessert that feels a little extra special without a lot of effort.
Made with store-bought puff pastry, this recipe is easy enough for beginners while still delivering a bakery-style result.
Why You’ll Love These Heart-Shaped Danishes
- Flaky, golden puff pastry with minimal prep
- Creamy, lightly sweetened cream cheese filling
- Fresh strawberry flavor in every bite
- Adorable heart shape perfect for holidays
- Easy to customize and decorate
These danishes are great for breakfast pastries, brunch spreads, or romantic desserts.
Ingredients
Danish Ingredients
- 1 sheet store-bought puff pastry, thawed
Substitution: two sheets crescent roll dough (texture will be softer) - 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
Substitution: dairy-free cream cheese for vegan or dairy-free - 2 tablespoons white sugar
Substitution: powdered sugar for a smoother filling - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red food coloring (optional, 1–2 drops)
- 1/2 cup diced strawberries
- Fresh strawberries work best
- If using frozen, thaw and drain well
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon cold water
Instructions
Preparation
- Thaw the puff pastry according to package instructions
- 30–60 minutes at room temperature, or
- Overnight in the refrigerator
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C)
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper
Make the Cream Cheese Filling
- In a bowl, beat the room-temperature cream cheese with:
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Mix until smooth and creamy
- Add 1 small drop of red food coloring (optional) and mix to a soft pink
- Fold in half of the diced strawberries (optional)
- Reserve remaining strawberries for topping
Shape the Danishes
- Lightly flour a clean surface
- Unfold the puff pastry and gently roll to remove creases
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter (3–4 inches) to cut hearts
- You should get about 4 hearts per sheet
Create a Border (Choose One Method)
- Option A:
- Press a smaller heart cutter lightly into the center (do not cut through)
- Option B:
- Score a 1/2-inch border around each heart with a knife (do not cut through)
This border helps the pastry puff and keeps the filling in place.
Fill & Top
- Spoon or pipe 1–2 tablespoons of cream cheese filling into the center
- Stay inside the border
- Top with remaining diced strawberries
- Avoid overfilling so the pastry can puff properly
Egg Wash & Bake
- Whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon cold water
- Lightly brush only the exposed pastry edges
- Bake on the middle rack for 12–15 minutes
- Pastry should be golden brown and puffed
- Rotate the pan halfway if your oven has hot spots
Cool & Finish
- Cool danishes on the pan for a few minutes
- Transfer to a wire rack
- Optional finishing touches:
- Dust with powdered sugar
- Drizzle simple glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
Tips for Perfect Strawberry Danishes
- Always use cold puff pastry
- Do not press down the edges after cutting
- Drain strawberries well to prevent sogginess
- Keep egg wash off the filling for clean color
Variations You Can Try
- Swap strawberries for raspberries or blueberries
- Add lemon zest to the cream cheese filling
- Drizzle with white chocolate
- Use heart-shaped jam instead of fresh fruit
- Make mini versions using smaller cutters
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Best enjoyed the same day
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days
- Reheat briefly in the oven to re-crisp the pastry
Final Thoughts
These Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes are proof that elegant desserts don’t have to be complicated. With flaky pastry, creamy filling, and fresh fruit, they’re a beautiful addition to any celebration and always a crowd-pleaser.