If you’ve been on the hunt for a delightful way to brighten your morning, this Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastries Recipe is your new best friend. Imagine flaky puff pastry, luscious cream cheese, and fresh strawberries all baked to perfection—pure breakfast bliss!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Whenever I make these strawberry cream cheese pastries, the house fills with an irresistible aroma that instantly lifts the mood. They’re just the right balance of sweet and creamy, with that signature puff pastry flakiness that makes every bite magical.
- Easy to make: Requires simple ingredients and minimal prep time, perfect for a weekend brunch or special breakfast treat.
- Beautiful presentation: The heart-shaped pastries add a charming, personal touch that’s sure to impress family and friends.
- Fresh and flavorful: Combining strawberry jam with fresh diced strawberries gives a vibrant pop of flavor and texture.
- Versatile and fun: Great for breakfast, dessert, or even a coffee break snack—plus, you can customize shapes if you want!
Ingredients & Why They Work
Before you start, grab some good-quality puff pastry and ripe fresh strawberries. These simple ingredients come together beautifully, and a little tip—make sure your cream cheese is softened for that smooth, dreamy filling.

- Puff pastry sheet: The flaky base that bakes up crisp and golden—buy it frozen and thaw according to the package.
- Cream cheese: Softened for easy mixing, it adds rich creaminess that pairs perfectly with strawberry sweetness.
- Strawberry jam: Brings a concentrated fruity sweetness to the filling.
- Red food coloring or beet powder (optional): A tiny drop to give the filling a lovely pink hue, making these pastries visually extra special.
- Fresh diced strawberries: Adds fresh texture and bright flavor bursts in every bite.
- Egg and water mixture: For brushing the pastry edges to create that gorgeous golden crust.
- Powdered sugar: Lightly dusted on top at the end for a pretty, sweet finish.
Make It Your Way
The beauty of this Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastries Recipe is how easily it adapts to your tastes and kitchen supplies. Whether you want to put a seasonal spin on the filling or simplify the shapes for a quicker bake, the possibilities are endless—and delicious!
- Classic heart shapes: Nothing says special like the heart-shaped cutouts. I love making these for Valentine’s Day brunch—it makes the morning feel extra cozy and full of love.
- Quick rectangle variation: When I’m short on time or feeding a crowd, cutting six rectangles instead of hearts is my go-to. I slice the strawberries a bit thinner and bump up the cream cheese to 3 oz and jam to 2 ½ Tbsp—this covers the larger surface nicely and bakes evenly.
- Seasonal twists: Swap the strawberry jam and fresh strawberries for other fruit jams and diced berries—blueberry, raspberry, or even peach all work beautifully and keep the cream cheese as the rich, mellow base.
- Diet-friendly tweaks: For a lighter option, consider using a lower-fat cream cheese or a dairy-free alternative. Just make sure the mixture isn’t too runny—you still want that airy, flaky pastry with a firm filling.
- Food coloring fun: Adding a drop of red food coloring or beet powder is optional but gives the cream cheese a lovely pink tint that complements the strawberry theme perfectly.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastries Recipe

Step 1: Thaw Your Puff Pastry and Preheat the Oven
Start by thawing your puff pastry sheet as per the package directions—usually about 30 minutes at room temperature. Midway through thawing, crank your oven up to 400°F so it’s perfectly hot when you’re ready to bake. This timing helps ensure your pastry bakes up flaky and golden rather than soggy or undercooked.
Step 2: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Filling
While the pastry thaws, blend the softened cream cheese, strawberry jam, and a drop of red food coloring (if using) in a small bowl. Use a rubber spatula to press the mixture along the bottom and sides—it helps break up lumps and ensures a silky smooth filling. Pop this mixture into the refrigerator to keep it firm; if you’re pressed for time, a quick chilling in the freezer works wonders to prevent runniness.
Step 3: Cut Out the Heart-Shaped Pastries
Roll out your thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface, then use a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to stamp out as many hearts as you can, placing the cutter close together to maximize use of the sheet. Transfer the hearts carefully to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat, spacing each about 1 ½ inches apart.
Step 4: Score the Inner Heart Detail
Using a sharp paring knife, lightly score a smaller heart inside each pastry heart, about ⅓ inch from the edges. Be gentle here—you want to mark the dough without cutting through, creating a raised border that will frame your filling beautifully after baking.
Step 5: Fill and Top with Strawberries
Spoon about a teaspoon of your chilled cream cheese mixture into the center of each heart, spreading it outward but keeping clear of the ⅓-inch border. Top each with diced strawberries, again leaving the edges free so the pastry can puff nicely.
Step 6: Brush the Edges for a Golden Finish
Using your fingertip or a pastry brush, lightly coat the exposed ⅓-inch border of each heart with the egg wash (one large egg whisked with 1 tablespoon water). This step is key for a gorgeous golden crust that adds just the right amount of crispiness.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Slide your baking sheet into the preheated 400°F oven and bake for 15 minutes. You'll know they’re done when the edges turn a perfect golden brown and the puff pastry looks fully cooked through with beautiful layers.
Step 8: Cool, Dust, and Serve
Remove the pastries from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool slightly. Once they're warm and no longer steaming hot, dust lightly with powdered sugar. Serve these pastries the same day you bake them for the freshest, flakiest texture and most vibrant flavors.
Top Tip
These Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastries Recipe tips come from a journey of baking, tasting, and perfecting. They’ll help you create pastries that aren’t just beautiful but delightfully flaky and flavorful every single time.
- Chill the Cream Cheese Mixture: Keeping the cream cheese filling cold before assembly is a game-changer. It prevents the filling from becoming runny and soggy during baking, giving you those clean edges and a perfect set.
- Use a Sharp Knife for Scoring: When you score the smaller hearts inside the pastry, a gentle but precise touch with a sharp paring knife ensures the dough puffs beautifully without cutting through. This delicate balance keeps your design intact.
- Maximize Puff Pastry Use: Place your cookie cutter shapes as close as possible to each other on the sheet — it really helps you get the maximum yield from that precious puff pastry without waste.
- Brush Edges with Egg Wash: Don’t skip brushing the exposed edges with your egg wash — it creates a gorgeous golden crust that adds texture and a lovely visual contrast when baked.
How to Serve Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastries Recipe

Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar is the classic finishing touch that enhances the sweetness and gives your pastries a delicate, charming look. For a fresh pop, add a small mint leaf on each pastry or a drizzle of melted white chocolate for a more indulgent treat.
Side Dishes
Serve these pastries alongside fresh fruit salad, a bowl of Greek yogurt with honey, or a simple arugula and orange salad for a refreshing contrast. For drinks, freshly brewed coffee, herbal tea, or a sparkling berry-infused water pair beautifully with the sweet, creamy flavors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover pastries in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours to maintain their flaky texture. If you need to keep them longer, refrigeration is possible but may soften the puff pastry slightly.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked shaped pastries by arranging them on a baking sheet and freezing until firm, then transferring to a freezer bag for up to 1 month. When ready, bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
Reheat cooled pastries in a preheated 350°F oven for about 5–7 minutes to refresh their crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the pastry soggy and lose that perfect flaky texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, but it’s best to thaw and drain them well to avoid excess moisture, which can make the puff pastry soggy. Fresh diced strawberries are ideal for that perfect texture and look.
If you prefer to avoid artificial coloring, a drop of beet powder is a natural alternative that adds a lovely blush to your cream cheese filling without changing the flavor.
Make sure the filling is well chilled and thick before adding it to the puff pastry. Avoid spreading it too close to the edges and brush the edges with egg wash to seal the pastry, which helps keep the filling contained.
Absolutely! Prepare the pastries up to the point of baking, freeze them on the tray until firm, then store in a freezer bag. When your guests arrive, bake them fresh for the best taste and puff.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about starting your day with a warm, flaky Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastries Recipe fresh from the oven. Whether it’s for a holiday breakfast, a weekend brunch, or just a sweet surprise, these pastries bring joy and a little sparkle to the table. Enjoy the process, savor every bite, and share with the people you love—because delicious moments like these are meant to be treasured.
Print
Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastries Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful strawberry cream cheese breakfast pastries made with flaky puff pastry, sweet strawberry jam, and fresh diced strawberries, perfect for a special morning treat or brunch.
Ingredients
Pastry
- 1 (8.6 oz) sheet puff pastry
Filling
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ tablespoon strawberry jam
- 1 drop red food coloring (or use beet powder) optional
- ⅔ cup very small diced strawberries
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg whisked with 1 tablespoon water
To Finish
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare Puff Pastry and Oven: Thaw puff pastry sheet according to package directions. Halfway through thawing, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready for baking.
- Make Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, use a rubber spatula to mix the softened cream cheese, strawberry jam, and optional red food coloring or beet powder. Press mixture along the bottom and sides of the bowl to eliminate any large lumps. Refrigerate the mixture to firm it up and prevent it from being runny; flash chilling in the freezer helps if close to pastry readiness.
- Cut Puff Pastry Shapes: Using a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out as many hearts as possible from the puff pastry sheet, placing them close together to maximize yield.
- Prepare Hearts for Filling: Transfer the cut hearts to a baking sheet lined with a silicone liner or parchment paper, spacing them 1 ½ inches apart. Then, gently score a smaller heart inside each larger heart using a sharp paring knife, about ⅓ inch from the edges, without cutting all the way through the dough.
- Add Filling and Strawberries: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each heart and spread outward, leaving the ⅓-inch border clear. Top the cream cheese layer with diced strawberries, again leaving the border free.
- Apply Egg Wash Edges: Brush the exposed ⅓-inch edges of each heart with the egg and water mixture using your fingertip to help create a golden crust when baked.
- Bake Pastries: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the puff pastry is cooked through.
- Cool and Finish: Remove pastries from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Once cooled, dust each pastry with powdered sugar. Serve the pastries the same day they are prepared for best freshness.
Notes
- To save time, cut 6 rectangles instead of hearts, slice strawberries thinly, and adjust the filling to 3 oz cream cheese, 2 ½ tablespoon jam, and 1 cup strawberries to cover the larger surface area.
- For best results, ensure the cream cheese mixture is chilled and not runny before adding it to the pastry to prevent sogginess.
- Use powdered sugar sparingly for a light, sweet finish without overpowering the pastry flavor.
- If you don’t have a heart-shaped cutter, use any preferred shape or cut squares/rectangles with a knife and adjust filling portions accordingly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pastry
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg




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