Decadent Valentine’s Chocolate Strawberry Cream Danishes
These danishes feature flaky puff pastry filled with a light and fluffy cream cheese mixture, topped with fresh strawberries and drizzled with melted chocolate. Perfect for a romantic Valentine’s breakfast or a special brunch treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 12 danishes 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed if frozen
- All-purpose flour, for dusting
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened (full-fat)
- ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) heavy cream (optional)
- 1 cup (150 g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- ½ cup (90 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 1 large egg beaten with 1 tbsp water (egg wash)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy. Add heavy cream if using and whip until incorporated. Set aside.
- Lightly dust your work surface with flour. Unfold each puff pastry sheet and gently roll out to smooth creases. Cut each sheet into 6 equal squares (about 4 inches each), for a total of 12 squares.
- Place the squares on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between each. Lightly score a smaller square inside each pastry square about ½ inch from the edge without cutting through.
- Spoon about 1 tablespoon of cream cheese filling into the center of each square. Top with 3-4 slices of fresh strawberries.
- Brush the edges of each danish with the egg wash using a pastry brush.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown. Watch the strawberries to ensure they soften but do not burn.
- While baking, melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth.
- Remove danishes from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes. Drizzle melted chocolate over the top and optionally dust with powdered sugar.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Keep puff pastry cold while working to prevent stickiness. Do not overfill with cream cheese or strawberries to avoid soggy pastry. Use egg wash for a shiny, golden crust. Melt chocolate in short bursts to prevent burning. Use a sharp knife to score pastry without cutting through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 danish
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 15
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Protein: 5
Keywords: Valentine's Day, chocolate, strawberry, cream cheese, danish, pastry, breakfast, brunch, easy recipe