Strawberry Danish Tart
I gave a cute twist to the traditional Danish by shaping it into a strawberry. The flaky puff pastry is filled with a creamy, cheesy filling and bursting with fruity goodness. Whether you're an experienced baker or just learning your way around the kitchen, this pastry is a perfect way to impress your family and friends with your baking skills.
Ingredients:
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
115g cream cheese, softened
60g caster sugar plus extra for sprinkling
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 lemon zest
1 egg yolk
Handful of fresh strawberries, sliced
1 egg plus 1 tablespoon milk whisked - egg wash
Powdered sugar, for dusting
White & yellow fondant (making daisies optional)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 200°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, lemon zest, sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth.
Beat in the egg yolk until the mixture is creamy and well combined. Put mixture in a piping bag.
Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 12-inch square. Using a heart cookie cutter 8cm size. Cut out approx 15 hearts.
Transfer the puff pastry hearts onto the lined baking sheet. Use a smaller heart cutter 6cm size. Create an indentation (only slightly). Be careful not to cut right through. This will allow the pastry to rise.
Pipe a thick layer of cream cheese mixture in the center of each puff pastry heart. Make sure you do not cover the borders.
Place 2 to 3 strawberry slices onto of the cream cheese mixture.
Now egg wash the borders and cut your strawberry leaves with a fondant flower cutter with the remaining puff pastry. Cut the flower in half to create the perfect shape for the leaves. Add the leaves to the top of every strawberry tart and egg wash.
Generously sprinkle with sugar .
Bake for 14-15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffy.
Allow the danishes to cool on the baking sheet for few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorating with fondant white daisies is optional.
Finally dust the danishes with powdered sugar before serving.
Enjoy your delicious cream cheese strawberry danish!