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From the Cook
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Cream Cheese Strawberry Danish with Puff Pastry
Warning0 allergens identified
Cream Cheese Strawberry Danish with Puff Pastry
Strawberry Danishes
Cream Cheese Filling
Lemon Glaze
Preparation
1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper.
2
Core and thinly slice the strawberries. Then, in a small bowl, whisk the egg white with 1/2 Tablespoon of water to make egg wash. Set aside.
Puff Pastry
1
Next, unroll the thawed puff pastry on a lightly-floured cutting board or pastry board. Using a rolling pin, roll the puff pastry a few times width-wise and length-wise just to seal the seams together.
2
Cut the puff pastry in half length-wise with a pizza cutter or a sharp paring knife. Then, cut each strip of puff pastry into 3 equal rectangles width-wise.
3
Using a paring knife, score a 1/4-inch border around the outside of the puff pastry rectangles. Don't cut all the way through! The scoring will allow the edges of the puff pastry to rise and create a border to keep the filling in place.
4
Transfer the puff pastry rectangles to the prepared sheet pans, spacing them at least 2-inches apart. (They will puff up quite a bit.) Place the puff pastry rectangles in the fridge.
Filling
1
Add the cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla bean paste or extract to a large mixing bowl. Use a rubber spatula or hand mixer to beat the filling until it's well-mixed and there are no lumps of cream cheese.
Assemble
1
Remove the puff pastry rectangles from the refrigerator. Use a pastry brush to brush the edges of the puff pastry rectangles with egg wash. This will help the danishes bake up shiny and golden-brown!
2
Dollop about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese filling in the center of each puff pastry rectangle. Use a rubber spatula or butter knife to evenly spread the filling, making sure not to go past the borders.
3
Top the centers of the danishes with a few slices of strawberries, letting some of the cream cheese filling peek through. Depending on the size of the strawberries, you will have anywhere between 4-6 slices. Don't over-crowd the danishes, or the strawberries will be too heavy for the delicate pastry.
4
Bake the danishes on the middle rack of the oven for 18-20 minutes, until the filling is set and the edges of the puff pastry are golden-brown. Meanwhile, microwave the apricot preserves in a small bowl until it's runny.
5
Right after you remove the danishes from the oven, use a pastry brush to brush the tops of the berries with the apricot preserves. Let the danishes cool on the sheet pan for 5-10 minutes. Then, transfer the pastries to a wire rack to cool until they're warm.
Glaze
1
While the danishes cool, combine the powdered sugar and lemon juice together in a small bowl. The glaze should be the consistency of glue. If it's too thick, add a bit more lemon juice 1 teaspoon at a time. If it's too thin, add more powdered sugar 1 tablespoon at a time.
2
Using the tines of a fork, drizzle the lemon glaze over the warm danishes. Let the glaze harden for about 10-15 minutes. Enjoy the danishes right away with coffee or tea!
My Calorie Intake
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Tips & Tricks (5)
- Chill Your Puff Pastry Between Steps ❄️Keep puff pastry cold before baking by refrigerating assembled danishes for at least 30 minutes; this prevents the butter from melting prematurely and ensures maximum flakiness and lift.
- Strain Cream Cheese for Smoothness 🧈Mix softened cream cheese with vanilla bean paste and lemon zest, then briefly strain through fine mesh to remove any lumps and achieve a silky, professional-quality filling.
- Brush Egg Wash Correctly 🥚Use only the egg white (not yolk) mixed with a splash of water for the most even golden-brown shine, and apply it gently after the final 15 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning.
- Layer Your Glaze with Precision 🍋Apply the lemon-powdered sugar glaze while pastries are still warm so it sets with a beautiful matte finish, then top with fresh strawberries just before serving to prevent sogginess.
- Toast Your Lemon Zest First 🌟Briefly warm the lemon zest in a dry pan before adding to the cream cheese filling to intensify its aromatic oils and prevent any bitter undertones from the white pith.
Recipe Facts
Diet at a Glance
Vegetarian
My Calorie Intake
Smart Nutrition 
Nutrition Per Serving
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Glycemic Analysis
Glycemic Index
Glycemic Load
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