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Strawberry Danish with Cream Cheese and Lemon Icing Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 72 reviews

Strawberry Danish is a delightful pastry featuring a flaky puff pastry base filled with a smooth cream cheese mixture and topped with sweet, juicy strawberries. Finished with a tangy lemon icing, this versatile treat is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack, easy to make even for beginners.

Ingredients

Scale

Puff Pastry Base

  • 1 frozen sheet puff pastry (thawed slightly)

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 4 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
  • 3 tablespoons white granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Strawberry Topping

  • 2 cups strawberries (washed, dried, thinly sliced)
  • ½ tablespoon cornstarch
  • ½ tablespoon white granulated sugar

Egg Wash

  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons water

Lemon Icing

  • ½ cup powdered sugar (sifted)
  • Zest of half a lemon
  • 2–3 teaspoons lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Thaw the puff pastry until it is slightly softened but still cool. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
  2. Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
  3. Create the Strawberry Mixture: In a separate bowl, toss the thinly sliced strawberries with cornstarch and sugar. This helps to keep the strawberries juicy while preventing the pastry from becoming soggy during baking.
  4. Roll and Cut the Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, gently roll out the puff pastry sheet. Cut it into 4 to 6 rectangles or squares depending on the preferred size of your Danish pastries.
  5. Assemble the Danish: Place the puff pastry pieces on the prepared baking sheet. Add a dollop of the cream cheese filling at the center of each piece, spreading it slightly but leaving the edges clear. Layer the sugared strawberries on top of the cream cheese filling.
  6. Brush with Egg Wash: Beat the egg with water to make an egg wash. Brush this along the edges of each puff pastry to achieve a golden, glossy crust after baking.
  7. Bake to Perfection: Bake the pastries in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and puffed up beautifully. After baking, allow them to cool slightly before applying icing.
  8. Make and Add Lemon Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar to thicken or lemon juice to thin the icing. Drizzle the lemon icing over the slightly cooled Danish using a spoon or piping bag for a tangy finish.

Notes

  • Keep the puff pastry cold until ready to use to prevent it from becoming sticky and hard to handle.
  • Do not overfill the Danish; too much filling can cause overflow during baking.
  • Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and texture.
  • Adjust sweetness of the strawberry topping based on the natural sweetness of your strawberries.
  • Serve the Danish fresh from the oven for optimal taste, although leftovers can be stored.

Keywords: Strawberry Danish, puff pastry, cream cheese filling, lemon icing, dessert, pastry, easy baking recipe, fresh strawberries

Find it online: https://leofoster.com/strawberry-danish-with-cream-cheese-and-lemon-icing-recipe/