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Flaky Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Braid

flaky strawberry cream cheese danish braid - featured image
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A quick and easy homemade Danish braid featuring flaky puff pastry filled with creamy cream cheese and sweet strawberry preserves, perfect for brunch or coffee time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (about 8 oz / 225 g), thawed
  • 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened (full-fat preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
  • 1/4 cup strawberry preserves or jam (seedless preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • Fresh strawberries, sliced (optional, for garnish)
  • Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the filling: In a mixing bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
  2. Prepare the pastry: On a lightly floured surface, unfold or roll out thawed puff pastry to a 12×10-inch rectangle. Trim edges if needed. Cut 3-inch strips on both long sides, leaving a 3-inch wide center strip uncut.
  3. Assemble the Danish: Spread cream cheese filling evenly down the center strip. Warm strawberry preserves until runny, stir in cornstarch, then spoon a thin layer over the cream cheese filling.
  4. Braid the pastry: Starting at one end, fold strips over the filling alternately from each side, overlapping to create a braid. Press ends to seal.
  5. Apply egg wash: Brush the entire braid with beaten egg for a golden, glossy finish.
  6. Bake: Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes until puffed and golden brown. Optionally brush with egg wash halfway through baking for extra shine.
  7. Cool and garnish: Let cool on a rack for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh strawberries and dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Notes

Keep puff pastry cold until ready to use to prevent stickiness. Do not overfill the filling to avoid leaking. Adding cornstarch to strawberry preserves thickens the topping and prevents sogginess. Optionally brush egg wash halfway through baking for extra golden color. Let cream cheese soften properly before mixing to avoid lumps.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry danish, cream cheese danish, puff pastry braid, homemade danish, breakfast pastry, brunch recipe, easy danish braid

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/flaky-strawberry-cream-cheese-danish-braid-easy-homemade-recipe-tutorial/