Description

Nothing says “I love you” like homemade pastries straight from the heart—literally! These Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes are as adorable as they are delicious. With sweet cream cheese, fresh strawberries, and buttery puff pastry, they’re a delightful way to brighten someone’s day. Perfect for Valentine’s Day breakfast or dessert, and they’re so simple to make, even kids can help! Let’s get baking!

Ingredients

Scale

1 sheet store-bought puff pastry (thawed according to package directions)

Cream Cheese Filling:

4 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
2 tbsp white sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
A few drops of red food coloring
½ cup diced strawberries

Egg Wash:

1 large egg
1 tbsp cold water

Instructions

Prep the Puff Pastry:

Thaw the puff pastry sheet according to the package (2 hours on the counter or overnight in the fridge).
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Make the Cream Cheese Filling:

In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy.
Add a few drops of red food coloring for that festive Valentine’s touch. Set aside.

Cut and Shape the Pastries:

Unfold the puff pastry. Use a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out 7–9 hearts. Place them on the baking sheet, leaving 1 inch between each.
With a smaller heart cutter or a sharp knife, gently score a ¼-inch border inside each heart (be careful not to cut all the way through).

Assemble the Danishes:

Spoon about ½ tbsp of the cream cheese mixture onto each heart, spreading it evenly inside the border.
Sprinkle diced strawberries evenly on top of the cream cheese mixture, keeping them within the border.

Egg Wash & Bake:

In a small bowl, whisk the egg with cold water to create an egg wash. Brush the edges of each heart with the egg wash.
Bake for 15–17 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.

Cool & Serve:

Let the danishes cool on the pan for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm with a cup of tea or coffee!

A Perfect Bite of Love in Every Heart!