Name: Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastries Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (8.6 oz) sheet puff pastry; 2 oz cream cheese, softened; 1 1/2 Tbsp strawberry jam; 1 drop red food coloring (or use beet powder) optional; 2/3 cup very small diced strawberries; 1 large egg whisked with 1 Tbsp water; Powdered sugar, for dusting

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!

The image shows a heart-shaped pastry with two main layers. The bottom layer is a light golden, flaky pastry with soft, slightly puffed edges. On top is a thick layer of smooth, bright pink cream that fills the heart shape almost to the edges. Scattered on the pink cream are small pieces of fresh red strawberries, adding texture and color contrast. The pastries sit on a wood texture surface with a whole strawberry placed nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastries Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastries Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastries Recipe

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.

Flat lay of a sheet of golden puff pastry, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl filled with vibrant red strawberry jam, a small white ceramic bowl containing very small diced fresh strawberries, one large whole brown egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

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.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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

The image shows eight heart-shaped pastries arranged on a white plate. Each pastry has a golden-brown, crispy crust forming the outer layer. Inside, there is a layer of soft cream or custard topped with small, bright red pieces of strawberries, evenly spread to fill the heart shapes. A light dusting of powdered sugar is sprinkled over the pastries and plate. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, with a few whole strawberries and a deep red cloth placed around it for decoration. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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

The image shows six heart-shaped pieces of dough placed in two columns of three on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Each dough heart has a layer of white cream spread on top, roughly filling the inner part of the heart shape. On top of the cream, there are chopped fresh strawberries, scattered evenly over the cream layer. The dough is pale and soft in texture, while the strawberries add a bright red color contrast. The baking tray and parchment paper have a slightly rustic look, with a white marbled surface underneath. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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:

Can I use frozen strawberries in the Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastries Recipe?

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.

What can I substitute for red food coloring?

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.

How do I prevent the cream cheese filling from leaking during baking?

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.

Can I make these pastries ahead for a brunch gathering?

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.