Description
Delightful Strawberry Cream Danish celebrates sweet Danish pastry traditions with luscious strawberry filling and silky cream cheese. Crisp, buttery layers melt in your mouth, inviting you to savor each delectable bite of this classic European treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Danish Dough
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) warm water
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk, at room temperature
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups (313 grams) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Fat:
- 1 cup (2 sticks or 227 grams) unsalted butter, cold
Strawberry Cream Filling:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Fresh strawberries, sliced for topping
Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) milk or water
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Activate yeast by dissolving in warm water, letting it foam for 5-10 minutes until bubbling and fragrant.
- Combine yeast mixture with milk, egg, sugar, salt, and gradually integrate flour to form a smooth, elastic dough.
- Methodically incorporate cold butter into the dough, creating delicate layers through strategic folding and turning techniques. Refrigerate for minimum 1 hour to develop structure.
- Roll chilled dough on floured surface to approximately 1/4 inch thickness, cutting precise heart-shaped portions using cookie cutter or knife.
- Arrange dough hearts on parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing them to proof in warm environment until slightly puffy and expanded, roughly 30 minutes.
- Heat oven to 375F (190C), ensuring proper temperature for optimal baking results.
- Whip cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until silky, deciding whether to fold chopped strawberries directly into mixture or reserve for post-baking garnish.
- Delicately place strawberry cream filling in center of each dough heart. Bake 15-20 minutes until golden brown and pastry appears crisp and flaky.
- Craft optional glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk and vanilla until achieving smooth, drizzling consistency.
- Cool danishes briefly, then embellish with glossy glaze and fresh strawberry slices for elegant presentation.
Notes
- Activate yeast carefully by using lukewarm water, not hot, to prevent killing the active cultures and ensure proper rising.
- Develop rich layers by keeping butter cold and handling dough gently, creating those signature flaky pastry textures.
- Customize filling options by substituting strawberries with other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or peaches for seasonal variations.
- Achieve golden perfection by brushing pastry edges with egg wash before baking, which creates a beautiful glossy and crisp exterior.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Danish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg