Strawberry Danish

5 from 3 votes

With a stellar combination of flaky pastry, creamy cheesecake-like filling, and bright, juicy berries, this Strawberry Danish recipe is one you'll turn to again and again. Best of all, these quick and easy strawberry cream cheese danish are made with only 8 simple ingredients and just 30 minutes of active time.

Prep Time30

Cook Time11

Total Time41

Servings:

Calories: 415kcal

Author: Karin and Ken

Ingredients

2 premade pie crusts
1 ¼ cups frozen strawberries
½ cup granulated sugar divided
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon juice
½ cup cream cheese
1 teaspoon whole milk
1 large egg

Instructions

Preheat your oven to the temperature directed by your store-bought pie crust.
In a medium sized bowl, combine the strawberries, half of the sugar, and the lemon juice. Allow the mixture to sit for 20 minutes, stirring intermittently.
In another medium sized bowl, use an electric hand mixer to whip together the cream cheese, remaining sugar, milk, and vanilla until it is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
While the strawberries sit, roll out the pie crust and divide it into 12 4x3 inch. Cut a small rectangle out of half the pieces to form a window piece. Pair one rectangle with one window to form the base of your danish.
Fill each danish with a spoonful of the cream cheese filling and top with a spoonful of the strawberry mixture.
Beat the egg in a small bowl and use a pastry brush to brush the sides of the danishes. Place the danishes on a large baking sheet and bake for 11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
Top the danishes with more strawberry as they come out of the oven, serve, and enjoy!

Notes

Optional Variations:

Gluten-Free - Swap in your favorite GF pie crust, either store-bought or homemade.
Dairy-Free - Use plant-based cream cheese and use coconut cream or vegan butter as your “egg wash.”
Vegan - Make sure to choose a vegan pie crust and follow the dairy-free instructions listed above.

Expert Tips:

Use cold cream cheese and butter for making the cream cheese filling, as this will ensure a smoother texture.
Roll your pie crusts on a flat surface with light pressure to create an even thickness throughout.
Be gentle. When adding in the strawberries, gently fold them into the cream cheese mixture with a spatula so they don’t become mushy from over-mixing.
Let your danishes cool for at least 15 minutes before serving to ensure that everything is set properly.
Use parchment paper when baking for easy cleanup and even cooking.
Make sure to cut small rectangles for the window piece of each danish, as larger windows may cause the filling to spill out during cooking.
Evenly spread the strawberry mixture and cream cheese filling over each danish base so that all pieces cook evenly in the oven.
Thaw the strawberries before adding them to the mixture, as this will help ensure that they are cooked evenly.
Preheat your oven before rolling out and cutting the dough, so it is ready when you need it.
If you’re making multiple batches, be sure to chill any extra dough in between batches to ensure that it doesn’t become too warm or sticky while working with it
Use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife for cutting your pastry.
Use an electric hand mixer or food processor to whip together the cream cheese filling for the best results.
Don’t forget the egg wash to give them a beautiful golden brown color.

Nutrition