​Strawberry Danish Recipe: Easy Homemade Pastry in 30 Minutes

The aroma of buttery pastry and sweet strawberries wafting from a Danish bakery never fails to stop me in my tracks. Those golden, flaky pastries sitting behind glass cases always looked so impossibly perfect, and complicated to make at home. But here’s the delicious secret I discovered: creating an authentic strawberry danish in your own kitchen is surprisingly simple and incredibly rewarding.

This recipe transforms store-bought puff pastry into bakery-quality pastries that’ll have your family thinking you’ve been secretly attending culinary school. The combination of tender, buttery layers with bright strawberry filling creates that perfect balance of comfort and elegance. Whether you’re hosting a weekend brunch or treating yourself to a special breakfast, these homemade Danish pastries bring that cozy bakery experience right to your table, complete with the satisfaction of making something truly special with your own hands.

Ingredients

For the Pastries:

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
• 2 tablespoons strawberry jam
• 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons whole milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dietary Substitutions:

• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free puff pastry (available at most grocery stores)
• Dairy-free: Substitute cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese and use plant-based milk for the glaze
• Vegan: Replace egg yolk with 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons plant milk, and use aquafaba for the egg wash

Time & Planning

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Make-Ahead Tips: The cream cheese filling can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. You can also assemble the Danish pastries in the morning and bake them later in the day, just cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.

Time-Saving Strategy: While your oven preheats, prepare the filling and dice the strawberries. This simple multitasking ensures everything comes together seamlessly.

How to Make It

1. Prepare Your Workspace

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, unfold the thawed puff pastry and gently roll it slightly to smooth any creases. The pastry should feel cool but pliable, if it’s too warm, it becomes difficult to work with.

2. Create the Cream Cheese Filling

In a mixing bowl, blend the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. The mixture should be spreadable but not runny. This rich filling provides the perfect creamy backdrop for the bright strawberry flavor.

3. Cut and Shape the Pastries

Cut the puff pastry into 6 equal rectangles. For each pastry, make diagonal cuts about 1 inch long on the two shorter sides, creating flaps that will fold over the filling. This technique creates those beautiful braided edges that make Danish pastries so visually appealing.

4. Add the Filling

Spread about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture down the center of each pastry rectangle, leaving the cut edges clear. Top with diced strawberries and a small dollop of strawberry jam. The key is not to overfill, less is more when it comes to preventing leakage during baking.

5. Form the Danish Shape

Fold the cut strips over the filling in an alternating pattern, creating a braided appearance. Don’t worry about perfection, the rustic, homemade look is part of their charm. Brush the tops with beaten egg for that gorgeous golden finish.

6. Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 12-15 minutes until the pastry is golden brown and puffed. You’ll know they’re done when the pastry sounds slightly hollow when gently tapped and the edges are deeply golden. The aroma will be absolutely irresistible.

7. Add the Final Glaze

While the pastries cool slightly, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the warm Danish for a bakery-style finish that adds just the right amount of sweetness.

Nutrition Overview

Each strawberry Danish contains approximately 280 calories with a good balance of carbohydrates and moderate amounts of protein and healthy fats from the cream cheese and egg. The fresh strawberries provide natural vitamin C and antioxidants, while the pastry offers satisfying energy for your morning.

These pastries work well as an occasional breakfast treat or special occasion dessert. Nutritional values may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used.

Healthier Variations

For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and decrease the sugar in the filling by half, the strawberries provide natural sweetness. You can also substitute half the all-purpose puff pastry with a whole wheat version for added fiber.

Try using Greek yogurt in place of some cream cheese for extra protein, though this will create a slightly tangier flavor and less rich texture. Fresh berries can be mixed and matched based on season and preference, blueberries and raspberries work beautifully.

Serving Ideas

These Danish pastries shine brightest when served warm with freshly brewed coffee or Earl Grey tea. They make an elegant addition to weekend brunch spreads alongside fresh fruit and yogurt parfaits.

For special occasions, dust with powdered sugar just before serving and garnish with fresh strawberry slices and mint leaves. They’re perfect for Mother’s Day breakfast, holiday mornings, or any time you want to create a memorable morning experience.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

Soggy Bottoms: Ensure your baking sheet is properly preheated and avoid overfilling with wet ingredients. If strawberries are very juicy, pat them dry with paper towels before using.

Pastry Won’t Rise: Make sure your puff pastry is properly thawed but still cold when working with it. Warm pastry loses its ability to create those beautiful flaky layers.

Filling Leaks Out: Don’t overfill the centers, and make sure to seal the edges properly by pressing gently with a fork or your fingers.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover Danish in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. For best texture, reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-8 minutes rather than using the microwave, which can make the pastry soggy.

These pastries can be frozen before baking, assemble completely, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags. Bake directly from frozen, adding 3-5 extra minutes to the cooking time.

Final Thoughts

Creating bakery-quality strawberry Danish at home proves that some of life’s most delicious pleasures don’t require professional training or hours in the kitchen. This recipe delivers all the buttery, fruity satisfaction you crave with techniques that build confidence in any home baker.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility, once you master the basic technique, you can experiment with different fruit combinations and fillings to create your own signature pastries. I’d love to hear about your variations and how these Danish turned out in your kitchen!

For more Recipes follow me in Pinterest.

Frequently Asked Questions

​Strawberry Danish Recipe: Easy Homemade Pastry in 30 Minutes

---

• Author: Amy
• Total Time: 30m
• Yield: 8 pastries 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Strawberry Danish is an irresistible pastry with flaky layers and sweet strawberry filling that makes every bite feel special.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Pastries:

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
• 2 tablespoons strawberry jam
• 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons whole milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dietary Substitutions:

• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free puff pastry (available at most grocery stores)
• Dairy-free: Substitute cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese and use plant-based milk for the glaze
• Vegan: Replace egg yolk with 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons plant milk, and use aquafaba for the egg wash

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

• Prep
  Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment and lightly roll out puff pastry.

• Make Filling
  Mix cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth.

• Shape Pastry
  Cut pastry into 6 rectangles. Make small diagonal cuts on the short sides.

• Fill
  Spread cream cheese down the center. Top with strawberries and a little jam.

• Braid & Brush
  Fold pastry strips over filling and brush with beaten egg.

• Bake
  Bake 12–15 minutes until golden and puffed.

• Glaze
  Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle over warm pastries.

• Prep Time: 15m
• Cook Time: 15m
• Category: Dessert
• Cuisine: Danish / American

Nutrition

• Calories: 280 calorie