Description
Make homemade strawberry Danish with buttery pastry, sweet strawberry filling, and creamy cheese. A delicious treat for breakfast or dessert!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pastry Dough:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 3/4 cup whole milk, warm
- 1 large egg
For the Strawberry Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Glaze:
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Add the cold butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, whisk the warm milk and egg together, then pour it into the dry ingredients. Stir until a dough forms, then knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth. Cover the dough and let it rest for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Make the Strawberry Filling: While the dough rests, prepare the strawberry filling. In a small saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes, until the mixture thickens. Set aside to cool.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Roll Out the Dough: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into a large rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the dough into 8 smaller squares or rectangles.
- Assemble the Danish: Place a spoonful of cream cheese filling in the center of each dough square, followed by a dollop of the strawberry filling. Fold the edges of the dough over the filling to form a square or rectangle, leaving the filling exposed in the center.
- Bake the Danish: Place the assembled Danish on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed up.
- Make the Glaze: While the Danish are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the glaze.
- Finish the Danish: Once the Danish have cooled for a few minutes, drizzle the glaze over the top. Serve warm or at room temperature.