These flaky Cheese Heart Danishes are buttery, golden, and filled with sweet cream cheese and fresh strawberries. I first made them on a snowy February morning when I wanted something special but didn't have hours to spend in the kitchen, and they turned out better than I expected.
If you love the creamy filling in Apple Cheesecake Buns or the buttery layers in pastries like Almond Pound Cake, you'll love how quick and impressive these heart-shaped beauties are. They bake up crispy on the edges, soft in the center, and look like they came straight from a bakery. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a Valentine's Day surprise, these Cheese Heart Danishes use simple ingredients and come together in just 30 minutes. The smell alone will have everyone asking what you're making.
Why You'll Love These Cheese Heart Danishes
These Cheese Heart Danishes are ridiculously easy to make, even if you've never worked with puff pastry before. The dough does all the hard work for you, puffing up into those gorgeous, crispy layers while the cream cheese filling stays rich and creamy. You don't need fancy skills or a long ingredient list, just a few pantry staples and about half an hour. They look fancy enough to impress but feel cozy enough to make on a regular weekend morning.
The combination of tangy cream cheese, sweet strawberries, and buttery pastry hits all the right notes. They're not overly sweet, which makes them perfect for breakfast or dessert. Plus, you can prep the filling ahead of time and assemble them right before baking. If you're looking for more Valentine's Day treats, the Funfetti Cookie Sandwiches are another crowd-pleaser.
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Cheese Heart Danishes Ingredients
Here's a simple breakdown of what goes into these Cheese Heart Danishes and why each ingredient matters.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
- Frozen puff pastry: This is the base of the whole recipe. It bakes up into those flaky, buttery layers without any effort on your part. Make sure it's fully thawed before you start working with it.
- Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese creates the rich, tangy filling. You can use lite or regular, whichever you prefer. Let it sit out for about 30 minutes so it mixes smoothly.
- Cane sugar: Sweetens the filling just enough without making it too heavy. Regular granulated sugar works too if that's what you have.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor to the cream cheese mixture.
- Egg yolk: Helps bind the filling and makes it extra creamy and rich.
- Egg wash: Brushing this on the edges gives the pastry that shiny, golden-brown finish.
- Strawberries: Fresh, diced strawberries add a pop of color and a fruity sweetness. You can swap in raspberries or blueberries if you like.
How to Make Cheese Heart Danishes
Here's everything you'll need for these Cheese Heart Danishes.
Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper so the pastries don't stick.
Mix the filling: In an electric mixer, combine the softened cream cheese, egg yolk, sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium to high speed for 45 to 60 seconds until the mixture is smooth and well blended. Set it aside while you work on the pastry.
Cut the hearts: Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets on a flat surface. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many hearts as you can from each sheet. You should get about 8 hearts total.
Score the edges: Lightly score around the edges of each heart with a knife, about half an inch from the edge. This creates a little border that puffs up while the center stays flat for the filling.
Fill and top: Place the puff pastry hearts on your prepared baking sheet. Spoon the cream cheese filling inside the scored edges, then top with diced strawberries. Don't overfill or it might spill over while baking.
Brush with egg wash: Use a pastry brush to lightly coat the edges of each pastry with egg wash. This is what gives them that beautiful golden color.
Bake: Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 23 to 25 minutes, until the pastries are golden brown and crispy around the edges.
Cool and serve: Let them rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a plate. If you want, dust them with powdered sugar before serving. They're delicious warm or at room temperature.
Substitutions and Variations
You can easily switch things up based on what you have or what you're craving.
Different fruit: Try raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, or even diced peaches. Canned fruit works too, just drain it well.
Flavored filling: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest or almond extract to the cream cheese mixture for a different twist.
Chocolate lovers: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top of the filling before baking.
Glaze: Drizzle a simple powdered sugar glaze over the cooled pastries for extra sweetness.
Savory version: Skip the sugar and fruit, and fill the hearts with herbed cream cheese, spinach, or feta for a savory appetizer.
Equipment For Cheese Heart Danishes
You don't need anything fancy to make these Cheese Heart Danishes.
- Electric mixer or hand whisk: Makes it easy to blend the cream cheese filling until it's smooth.
- Heart-shaped cookie cutter: This is what shapes the pastries. You can find these at most kitchen stores or online.
- Parchment paper: Keeps the pastries from sticking to the baking sheet and makes cleanup easier.
- Baking sheet: A standard half-sheet pan works perfectly.
- Knife: For scoring the edges and cutting the puff pastry if needed.
Storage Tips
These Cheese Heart Danishes are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers if you need to.
Room temperature: Keep them in an airtight container for up to 1 day. They'll soften a bit but still taste great.
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes to crisp them back up.
Freezer: You can freeze the assembled, unbaked Cheese Heart Danishes on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag once frozen. Bake straight from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Serving Suggestions
These Cheese Heart Danishes are perfect for all kinds of occasions.
Serve them warm with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate for a cozy Valentine's Day breakfast. They also make a lovely addition to a brunch spread alongside fresh fruit and scrambled eggs. If you're hosting a Galentine's brunch, set them out with the Coffee Swiss Roll and Caramel Apple Bark for a dessert table everyone will love. You can also pack them up in a cute box and give them as a homemade gift.
Expert Tips
Thaw the pastry properly: Let the puff pastry thaw in the fridge overnight or on the counter for about 30 minutes. If it's too cold, it'll crack. If it's too warm, it'll be sticky.
Don't skip the scoring: That little border you score around the edge is important. It helps the edges puff up while keeping the filling in place.
Use room-temperature cream cheese: Cold cream cheese won't mix smoothly and you'll end up with lumps in your filling.
Watch the baking time: Ovens vary, so start checking around 20 minutes. You want the pastry golden and crispy, not pale or burnt.
Add toppings after baking: If you're using powdered sugar or a glaze, wait until the danishes have cooled slightly so it doesn't melt off.
FAQ
What is the best cheese for the heart?
Cream cheese is the classic choice for danishes because it's smooth, tangy, and sweet when mixed with sugar and vanilla. It holds up well during baking and doesn't get runny. You can also try mascarpone or ricotta if you want a milder flavor, but cream cheese gives you that traditional danish taste.
What fillings work best in a Danish?
Cream cheese is the most popular filling, but you can also use fruit preserves, almond paste, custard, or even Nutella. For savory danishes, try spinach and feta, ham and cheese, or caramelized onions. The key is to use fillings that won't make the pastry soggy, so avoid anything too watery.
Is it best to heat up a cheese danish?
Yes, warming them up for a few minutes in a 300°F oven brings back that crispy, flaky texture. You can also pop them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds if you're in a hurry, but the oven keeps them crispier. Fresh out of the oven is always best, though.
Are Cheese Heart Danishes healthy?
These Cheese Heart Danishes are more of a treat than an everyday breakfast. They're made with butter, sugar, and cream cheese, so they're indulgent. That said, they're not loaded with artificial ingredients, and you can lighten them up by using lite cream cheese and cutting back on the sugar a bit. Enjoy them in moderation and savor every bite.
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Pairing
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Cheese Heart Danishes
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, egg yolk, cane sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix with an electric mixer on medium-high speed for 45-60 seconds, until smooth and well-combined.
- Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets on a clean surface. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes from the pastry.
- Lightly score around the edges of each heart using a knife, creating a border but not cutting all the way through.
- Transfer the shaped hearts to the prepared baking sheet. Inside the scored border of each heart, add a spoonful of the cream cheese filling. Top with diced strawberries.
- Brush the edges of the pastry hearts with egg wash to ensure a golden finish after baking.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the danishes for 23-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Dust with powdered sugar after baking, if desired, and serve warm or at room temperature.
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