Strawberry Danish Recipe (Bakery-Style, Easy & Flaky at Home)

If you’ve ever admired those glossy, golden pastries lined up behind the glass at a bakery and thought “there’s no way I can make that at home”—this Strawberry Danish Recipe is about to change your mind. Using store-bought frozen puff pastry, fresh strawberries, and a smooth vanilla cream cheese filling, you can create buttery, flaky, bakery-quality strawberry danishes in under an hour.

This recipe delivers everything you love about a classic strawberry danish: crisp, puffed layers; creamy, lightly sweetened filling; juicy fruit topping; and that irresistible finishing touch of warm strawberry jam or vanilla glaze. It’s elegant enough for brunch guests yet simple enough for a casual weekend breakfast. No yeast. No complicated dough. Just reliable, repeatable results.

Whether you’re baking for Mother’s Day, a holiday brunch, a coffee date, or simply treating yourself, this Strawberry Danish Recipe deserves a permanent spot in your recipe collection.

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Why This Strawberry Danish Recipe Works

There are countless danish recipes online, but many require laminated dough, long resting times, or advanced pastry skills. This version focuses on maximum flavor with minimum effort—without sacrificing texture or presentation.

Here’s what makes this recipe stand out:

• Frozen puff pastry = instant lamination
  You get dozens of flaky layers without the labor.

• Balanced sweetness
  The tangy cream cheese and fresh strawberries prevent the pastry from being overly sweet.

• Customizable finish
  Go classic with warm jam, elegant with glaze, or rustic with powdered sugar.

• Bakery appearance, home-kitchen ease
  These danishes look professional but are totally approachable.

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What Is a Strawberry Danish?

A strawberry danish is a European-inspired pastry traditionally made with laminated dough (similar to croissant dough), filled with custard or cream cheese, and topped with fruit. Over time, American bakeries adapted the concept, often using puff pastry for convenience while maintaining the same flaky, buttery texture.

This Strawberry Danish Recipe follows that modern, home-friendly approach—keeping all the charm of the original with far less work.

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Recipe Details

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Cooling Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: ~40 minutes

Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Yield: 12 danishes

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Equipment You’ll Need

• 1–2 large baking sheets

• 1–2 sheets parchment paper

• 3 mixing bowls

• 1 sharp knife

• 1 pastry brush (optional)

• Cooling rack

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Ingredients Breakdown

Understanding each component helps you get the best results from this Strawberry Danish Recipe.

Strawberry Topping

• Fresh strawberries – Sweet, juicy, and vibrant. Fresh works best for structure and flavor.

• Sugar – Enhances natural sweetness.

• Cornstarch – Thickens the strawberry juices so they don’t soak the pastry.

Cream Cheese Filling

• Cream cheese (room temperature) – Creates a smooth, luscious base.

• Powdered sugar – Dissolves easily for a silky texture.

• Vanilla extract – Adds warmth and bakery-style flavor.

Danish Pastry

• Frozen puff pastry – The secret to flaky layers without effort.

• Egg wash – Promotes golden edges and crisp texture.

• Sugar topping (optional) – Adds sparkle and crunch.

Optional Finishes

• Warm strawberry jam – Adds shine and intensifies strawberry flavor.

• Vanilla glaze – Sweet, elegant finishing touch.

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Step-by-Step Strawberry Danish Recipe Instructions

1. Prep the Oven & Pastry

Remove the puff pastry from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for 30–45 minutes until pliable but still cool.

Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Pro Tip: Puff pastry should feel cool to the touch. If it becomes soft or sticky, refrigerate it briefly.

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2. Prepare the Strawberries

In a bowl, gently toss:

• Sliced strawberries

• Sugar

• Cornstarch

Let the mixture rest at room temperature for 15 minutes. This allows the berries to release juices while the cornstarch begins to thicken them.

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3. Make the Cream Cheese Filling

In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and lump-free. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.

Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. Set aside.

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4. Cut the Puff Pastry

Unfold one sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut along the fold lines, then cut each long rectangle in half to form 6 rectangles. Repeat with the second sheet for a total of 12 pastries.

Transfer pastries to prepared baking sheets, spacing them apart.

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5. Score the Pastry

Using a sharp knife, gently score a border about ¼ inch from the edge of each rectangle. Do not cut all the way through.

This border helps the edges rise while keeping the filling centered.

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6. Fill & Top

Spoon about 1 tablespoon of cream cheese filling into the center of each pastry, staying inside the scored border.

Top with a generous spoonful of prepared strawberries.

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7. Egg Wash

Brush the edges of each pastry with egg wash. Sprinkle lightly with sugar if desired.

This step ensures a beautifully golden finish.

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8. Chill (Optional but Recommended)

If the pastry feels warm or soft, refrigerate the assembled danishes for 15–20 minutes. Cold pastry = better puff.

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9. Bake

Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the danishes are puffed, flaky, and lightly golden.

Rotate pans halfway through baking for even browning.

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10. Cool & Finish

Let the danishes cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Brush with warm strawberry jam or drizzle with vanilla glaze. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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Vanilla Glaze (Optional)

Whisk together:

• Powdered sugar

• Vanilla extract

• Milk (1 tablespoon at a time)

Drizzle over cooled danishes for a classic bakery finish.

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Tips for Perfect Strawberry Danishes

• Keep everything cold – Puff pastry performs best when chilled.

• Don’t overfill – Too much filling can leak and weigh down the pastry.

• Use parchment paper – Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.

• Bake hot – High heat creates maximum puff.

• Let them set slightly – Cooling helps the filling firm up.

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Flavor Variations

This Strawberry Danish Recipe is endlessly adaptable:

• Berry Mix Danish – Combine strawberries with blueberries or raspberries.

• Strawberry Lemon Danish – Add lemon zest to the cream cheese filling.

• Chocolate Strawberry Danish – Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the cream cheese.

• Almond Strawberry Danish – Add sliced almonds and a touch of almond extract.

• Nutella Strawberry Danish – Swirl Nutella into the filling.

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Make-Ahead & Storage

Make Ahead:
Assemble danishes and refrigerate unbaked overnight. Bake fresh the next morning.

Storage:
Store baked danishes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating:
Warm in a toaster oven or regular oven at 325°F (165°C) for 5–7 minutes.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve this Strawberry Danish Recipe with:

• Hot coffee or espresso

• Fresh fruit salad

• Scrambled eggs for brunch

• Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (dessert style)

Print

Nutrition (Approximate per Danish)

• Calories: 260–290 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 30–34 g

• Fat: 15–18 g

• Protein: 4–5 g

• Sugar: 14–18 g

• Sodium: 180–220 mg

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Yes, but thaw and drain them well to prevent excess moisture.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Use dairy-free cream cheese and skip the glaze or use plant-based milk.

Why didn’t my pastry puff?

Most likely the pastry was too warm or overfilled.

Can I freeze baked danishes?

Yes—freeze unglazed danishes for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven.

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Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Danish Recipe proves that bakery-quality pastries don’t require professional tools or complicated techniques. With frozen puff pastry, fresh strawberries, and a simple cream cheese filling, you can create stunning, flaky danishes that look and taste like they came from a patisserie.

What truly makes this recipe special is its versatility. It’s elegant enough for celebrations, approachable enough for beginners, and customizable enough to keep you baking it again and again. Whether you’re serving brunch guests or enjoying a quiet morning treat, these strawberry danishes bring comfort, beauty, and indulgence to the table.