Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Strawberry Cream Danish is a luxurious pastry featuring flaky, buttery layers filled with a luscious cream cheese mixture and topped with sweet strawberry preserves. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an indulgent dessert, these danishes offer a delightful balance of creamy, fruity, and crisp textures. Their elegant appearance and rich flavor make them ideal for impressing guests or treating yourself to something special.

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

flourunsalted buttergranulated sugarcream cheesevanilla extractlemon juiceeggswhole milkactive dry yeaststrawberry preserves or jampowdered sugarwater

directions

In a small saucepan, warm the milk until it’s just lukewarm (about 110°F/43°C). Sprinkle in the yeast and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Add the milk-yeast mixture and one egg, mixing until a dough forms.

Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until smooth. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

While the dough rises, make the cream filling: In a bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth. Chill until ready to use.

Once the dough has risen, roll it out into a rectangle. Place thin slices of cold butter over two-thirds of the dough. Fold into thirds like a letter. Chill for 30 minutes.

Repeat the rolling and folding process two more times, chilling 30 minutes between each fold.

After the final chill, roll the dough out and cut into squares or rounds. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Make a small well in the center of each piece. Spoon in a bit of the cream cheese filling and top with a small spoonful of strawberry preserves.

Cover loosely and let rise again for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Beat the remaining egg and brush around the edges of each danish.

Bake for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool slightly, then drizzle with icing made from powdered sugar and a few drops of water.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields approximately 8-10 danishes.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Rising and chilling time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 200 minutes

Variations

Substitute strawberry preserves with raspberry, blueberry, or peach jam.
Add a sprinkle of sliced almonds before baking for extra crunch.
Use puff pastry instead of homemade dough for a quicker version.
Mix in a bit of orange zest into the cream cheese for a citrusy twist.

storage/reheating

Store leftover danishes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 8-10 minutes or microwave for 15-20 seconds.
They can be frozen before baking—just thaw and bake as directed.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought puff pastry?

Yes, it’s a great shortcut if you don’t want to make laminated dough from scratch.

Do I need to chill the dough so often?

Yes, it helps keep the butter cold and creates the flaky layers during baking.

Can I make these the night before?

You can prep and shape the danishes, then refrigerate overnight and bake in the morning.

Why is my dough not rising?

Check that your yeast is fresh and that the milk wasn’t too hot, which can kill the yeast.

Can I use fresh strawberries instead?

Yes, but cook them down slightly with sugar to make a thick jam-like consistency.

How do I prevent the filling from spilling out?

Make a deep enough well in the center and avoid overfilling.

Is the icing necessary?

It’s optional, but it adds a lovely sweet finish and bakery-style look.

What kind of cream cheese is best?

Use full-fat brick-style cream cheese for the creamiest texture.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, but use a gluten-free flour blend designed for yeast baking.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely, just be sure to chill and roll in batches to manage the dough better.

Conclusion

Strawberry Cream Danish is a show-stopping pastry that blends buttery, flaky dough with creamy, fruity fillings for an irresistible treat. Whether served warm from the oven or saved for a sweet morning indulgence, these danishes deliver bakery-quality results right from your kitchen. Try this recipe once, and it might become your go-to for special occasions or weekend breakfasts.