These Vegan Strawberry Cream Danishes are the perfect balance of flaky, buttery pastry and rich, dairy-free cream cheese, topped with sweet, juicy strawberries. The golden crust contrasts beautifully with the creamy filling, creating a pastry that is as delicious as it is beautiful. The best part? They’re incredibly easy to make using store-bought puff pastry, so you can enjoy homemade bakery-style danishes in no time.
Ideal for Valentine’s Day, brunch gatherings, or simply as a special treat, these danishes bring together the classic combination of strawberries and cream in a plant-based, gluten-free form. Serve them warm with a light dusting of powdered sugar, and watch them disappear!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1–2 sheets of vegan puff pastry (e.g., Jus-Rol Vegan & Gluten-Free Puff Pastry)
- 130g dairy-free cream cheese
- 15g gluten-free or plain flour (depending on dietary preference)
- 15g caster sugar + extra for sprinkling
- 4 tbsp dairy-free milk
- Fresh strawberries, sliced
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan) and line two baking trays with greaseproof paper.
- Unroll the puff pastry sheet, leaving the baking paper underneath to prevent sticking. Use a rolling pin to smooth out any wrinkles. If sticky, dust lightly with flour.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out pastry shapes and place them on the prepared tray.
- Press a smaller heart-shaped cutter into the center of each larger heart to create an indentation without cutting through.
- In a bowl, mix together the dairy-free cream cheese, flour, and sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Transfer the filling into a piping bag (or use a spoon) and fill the center of each heart.
- Top with a few slices of fresh strawberries.
- Brush the edges of the pastry with dairy-free milk and sprinkle with sugar to enhance browning.
- Bake in the middle rack of the oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden and flaky.
- Let cool slightly before serving with a dusting of icing sugar.
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes
Kcal: 210 kcal | Servings: 6 pastries
Vegan Strawberry Cream Danish: A Flaky, Sweet Delight
When it comes to breakfast pastries, few treats are as universally loved as a Danish. This classic pastry, with its delicate layers and creamy filling, is a staple in bakeries around the world. While traditional Danish pastries often rely on butter, eggs, and dairy-based cream cheese, this Vegan Strawberry Cream Danish offers a completely plant-based twist on the beloved treat. With a golden, flaky puff pastry shell, a rich dairy-free cream cheese filling, and fresh, juicy strawberries, this Danish is every bit as indulgent as its traditional counterpart but with none of the animal products.
The History Behind the Danish Pastry
The Danish pastry, often simply called a “Danish,” traces its origins to Austria rather than Denmark. In the 19th century, Austrian bakers were brought to Denmark during a workers’ strike, introducing laminated dough techniques that later became synonymous with Danish pastries. Over time, Danish bakers adapted these techniques and added their own local flavors, creating the iconic pastry we know today.
While the classic Danish can be filled with custard, jam, nuts, or fruit, this vegan version celebrates the combination of strawberries and cream a duo that has been adored for centuries. Strawberries add a natural sweetness and a vibrant red hue that makes these pastries visually stunning, while the dairy-free cream cheese ensures a smooth and luscious filling.
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Strawberry Cream Danish
There are countless reasons to fall in love with this recipe, whether you’re vegan or simply looking for a delicious and easy-to-make pastry. Here are some key highlights:
1. It’s Quick and Easy
Unlike traditional Danish pastries that require intricate dough preparation and hours of layering butter into the dough, this vegan version utilizes ready-to-roll puff pastry. This shortcut allows you to achieve the same crispy, buttery layers without the hassle of making laminated dough from scratch.
2. Completely Plant-Based
For those following a vegan diet or looking to reduce their consumption of animal products, this recipe is a game-changer. The dairy-free cream cheese provides the perfect substitute for traditional cream cheese, maintaining the creamy, slightly tangy texture that pairs so well with fresh fruit.
3. Perfect for Any Occasion
These pastries are an excellent choice for a Valentine’s Day breakfast, a spring brunch, a summer picnic, or simply as a comforting homemade treat. Their heart shaped design adds a romantic and playful touch, making them a lovely way to express your love through food.
4. Customizable and Versatile
While strawberries are the star of this recipe, you can easily swap them for other fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, peaches, or even a combination of berries. You can also experiment with different flavored cream cheeses by adding vanilla, citrus zest, or a hint of cinnamon.
The Magic of Puff Pastry
One of the key components of this recipe is the vegan puff pastry. Unlike traditional pastry dough, which requires kneading and careful mixing, puff pastry is pre-made and requires minimal effort to work with. The key to achieving the best results is to let the pastry come to room temperature for a few minutes before rolling it out. This prevents cracking and ensures smooth, even layers.
Most store-bought puff pastries, such as Jus-Rol Vegan & Gluten-Free Puff Pastry, are both vegan and easy to use. However, if you’re making your own puff pastry, using plant-based butter is essential to maintaining the rich, flaky texture.
The Perfect Vegan Cream Cheese Filling
The cream cheese filling is what makes these Danish pastries so indulgent. Unlike traditional cream cheese, which contains dairy, vegan cream cheese is made from plant-based ingredients like cashews, coconut, or soy. Some popular dairy-free cream cheese brands include:
- Violife Cream Cheese – Known for its smooth, spreadable texture.
- Philadelphia Plant-Based Cream Cheese – Offers a classic tangy taste.
- Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese – A long-time favorite among vegans.
To ensure the filling holds its shape while baking, a small amount of gluten-free flour and sugar is added to the mixture. This prevents the cream cheese from becoming too runny in the oven and results in a perfectly creamy consistency.
The Sweetness of Strawberries
Nothing complements cream cheese better than fresh, ripe strawberries. The natural sweetness and slight tartness of strawberries balance the richness of the pastry, creating a delightful contrast of flavors.
When selecting strawberries for this recipe, look for bright red, firm berries with a sweet aroma. The fresher the berries, the better the flavor. Slicing them thinly ensures even distribution across the pastries, allowing each bite to be perfectly balanced.
For an extra touch of elegance, you can glaze the strawberries with a light apricot jam once the pastries are baked. This not only enhances the flavor but also gives them a beautiful, glossy finish.
Tips for the Best Vegan Danish Pastries
Here are a few pro tips to guarantee your Danish pastries turn out perfect every time:
- Don’t overfill the pastries: A small amount of cream cheese and strawberries goes a long way. Overfilling can cause the filling to spill out during baking.
- Use a sharp cookie cutter: For the cleanest edges, use a sharp cookie cutter or a knife when shaping the pastry.
- Brush with dairy-free milk: This helps the pastry turn golden brown and creates a glossy, bakery-style finish.
- Serve fresh: These Danish pastries are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven while they’re still warm and flaky.
Serving and Storage
These Vegan Strawberry Cream Danish pastries are best enjoyed the day they are made, as puff pastry tends to lose its crispness over time. However, if you need to store them, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours. For longer storage, refrigerate them and reheat them in the oven before serving.
If you want to prepare them ahead of time, you can assemble the pastries and store them in the fridge for a few hours before baking. This makes them perfect for brunch gatherings when you want to serve fresh pastries without the morning prep work.
Conclusion
This Vegan Strawberry Cream Danish is the perfect combination of convenience, flavor, and elegance. With its golden, flaky layers, luscious dairy-free cream cheese, and fresh strawberries, this pastry is a must-try for anyone who loves indulgent treats without the guilt.
Whether you’re making these pastries for a romantic breakfast, a weekend brunch, or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth, they are guaranteed to impress. The best part? They require minimal effort and can be customized to suit any taste preference.
So go ahead treat yourself and your loved ones to a batch of these beautiful, heart-shaped delights. You won’t regret it!