This Easy Cream Cheese Strawberry Danish (Flaky & Creamy) is a simple and easy recipe you can make at home. It uses puff pastry sheets and fresh strawberries for a quick, bakery-style result.

These strawberry cream cheese danishes have a crispy pastry, a smooth cream cheese filling, and sweet strawberries on top. They’re perfect during strawberry season when fresh fruit is at its best.

If you’re looking for a delicious treat that feels special but stays simple, this one works every time. It’s one of those delicious recipes the whole family will enjoy.

Ingredients

This recipe calls for simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store. Each one helps build a flaky Danish pastry with a creamy center and fresh fruit topping.

Frozen puff pastry: Creates the base for the crispy pastry layers
Cream cheese: Forms the base of the cream cheese filling
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the sweet cream cheese mixture and keeps it smooth
Vanilla extract: Adds a soft, warm flavor to the filling
Fresh strawberries: Bring natural sweetness and a fresh fruit topping
Cornstarch: Helps thicken the strawberry filling so it bakes well
Granulated sugar: Enhances the sweetness of the juicy berries
Lemon zest: Brightens the flavor of the strawberry mixture
Egg: Used for the egg wash to give a golden finish
Milk: Helps thin the egg wash for easy brushing
Powdered sugar: Used to make the glaze
Milk: Adjusts the glaze to a smooth consistency
Chopped pistachios: Add texture and a light crunch on top

Take a look at the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe.

Add-ons & Substitutions

You can adjust this easy strawberry cream cheese danish recipe based on what you have or prefer.

Swap fresh strawberries for other fresh berries like blueberries or raspberries
Use store-bought strawberry jam if you don’t have fresh fruit
Add a bit of orange zest instead of lemon zest for a softer citrus flavor
Skip pistachios or replace with almonds
Add a light dusting of powdered sugar instead of the glaze

How to Make

Start by thawing your puff pastry dough until it’s easy to handle, about 30 to 40 minutes. It should feel cold but flexible, not sticky.

This helps the pastry bake into a flaky and crispy pastry.

In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Stir until smooth and creamy.

The mixture should spread easily without lumps.

In a separate bowl, add the sliced strawberries. Toss them with cornstarch, granulated sugar, and lemon zest until evenly coated.

This helps control the juices from the fresh berries while baking.

Preheat your oven to 400°F and line your large baking sheets with parchment paper. These prepared baking sheets help the pastry bake evenly and prevent sticking.

Place the puff pastry sheets onto the baking sheet and gently press out any seams. Use a sharp knife to cut them into equal rectangles.

Lightly score a border around each piece, about ¼ inch from the edge. This creates a raised edge while baking and keeps the center of each pastry flat.

Spread the cream cheese filling in the center of each pastry, staying inside the border. Use the back of a spoon to smooth it evenly.

Add the strawberry mixture on top of the cream cheese mixture. Arrange the sliced strawberries so they sit evenly and don’t overflow.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Brush the edges with egg wash to help create a golden finish.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the pastries are puffed and golden. The edges should look crisp, and the centers set.

While they bake, mix powdered sugar and milk in a bowl until smooth. Once the danishes cool slightly, drizzle the glaze over the top and sprinkle with pistachios.