Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Pastries (Printable)

Flaky golden pastries with sweet cream cheese and strawberry filling, shaped into charming hearts for any occasion.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pastry Components

01 - 1 sheet (approximately 17.3 oz) frozen puff pastry, thawed
02 - 1 large egg, beaten for egg wash

→ Cream Cheese Filling

03 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
04 - 2 tablespoons granulated white sugar
05 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Strawberry Layer

06 - 4 tablespoons strawberry preserves or jam
07 - 6 fresh strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced (about 3.5 oz)

→ Vanilla Glaze

08 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar (approximately 2.1 oz)
09 - 1-2 tablespoons whole milk
10 - 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - On a lightly floured work surface, unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet. Using a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out 16 heart shapes. Transfer 8 solid hearts to the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Using the remaining 8 heart cutouts, press a 2-inch heart-shaped cutter into the center of each to remove the middle portion, creating decorative heart frames. Set aside.
04 - Lightly brush the edges of the 8 whole hearts on the baking sheet with beaten egg. Carefully place the heart frames on top, pressing gently to seal the layers together.
05 - In a small mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat with a fork or handheld mixer until completely smooth and creamy.
06 - Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of cream cheese mixture into the center well of each pastry. Top with 1/2 tablespoon strawberry preserves, then arrange 2-3 thin strawberry slices over the preserves.
07 - Brush the exposed pastry edges with remaining beaten egg for a golden, glossy finish.
08 - Bake for 16-18 minutes until pastries are deeply golden, puffed, and cooked through. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes to set the filling.
09 - While pastries cool, whisk powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. Add additional milk 1/2 teaspoon at a time to reach drizzling consistency.
10 - Drizzle glaze generously over cooled danishes. Serve immediately while slightly warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They look like you spent hours but come together in under 45 minutes
  • The combination of tangy cream cheese and sweet strawberry is pure breakfast magic
02 -
  • Work quickly with puff pastry because warmth makes it lose its ability to puff beautifully
  • Do not overfill the centers or the filling will spill out during baking
03 -
  • Chill your baking sheet in the freezer for 10 minutes before baking to help the puff pastry hold its shape
  • Use a sharp cutter and press straight down without twisting for the cleanest edges

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