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Crispy, melt-in-your-mouth pastry wraps around a smooth plant-based cream cheese mixture, topped with juicy strawberries in these fancy Danish treats. These heart-shaped goodies mix the gentle snap of puff pastry with an amazingly soft middle, making a bakery-quality creation that's totally vegan.
I've brought these to so many morning get-togethers, and everyone's shocked when I tell them there's no dairy. The way the dough rises around the creamy center builds such pretty textures that nobody ever misses the animal products.
Key Components and Smart Shopping Advice
- Plant-based puff pastry: Check that packages clearly say "vegan" since many contain dairy
- Plant-based cream cheese: Go with higher-fat options for the creamiest results
- Ripe strawberries: Pick bright, firm berries without mushy parts
- Fine sugar: The tiny crystals mix perfectly into the filling
- Plant milk: Stick with plain versions so you can adjust sweetness yourself
Step-by-Step Process
- Step 1: Get Your Dough Ready
- Let puff pastry sit out about 5 minutes until it won't crack when you open it. Heat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and put baking paper on two trays.
- Step 2: Flatten the Dough
- Open the pastry carefully on a surface with a bit of flour. Use your rolling pin lightly to smooth out any folds. Keep the dough cool but workable.
- Step 3: Make Heart Cutouts
- Use big heart cookie cutters to make as many shapes as you can. Put them on your lined trays with gaps between them.
- Step 4: Make Borders
- Push a smaller heart cutter gently into each piece to make a border for your filling, but don't cut all the way through.
- Step 5: Mix Your Filling
- Stir together plant cream cheese, flour, and sugar until it's all smooth. Put it in a piping bag with round tip or just grab a spoon for filling.
- Step 6: Cut Up Your Fruit
- Clean and slice strawberries thinly so they're ready to go before your dough gets too warm.
- Step 7: Put Everything Together
- Add cream cheese mix inside the pressed heart areas, leaving space around the edges. Lay strawberry pieces on top in a pretty pattern.
- Step 8: Final Touches
- Brush the edges with plant milk and sprinkle with fine sugar so they'll turn golden brown when baked.
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When I was little and spent time in my grandma's bakery, I learned that watching temperatures is super important for great pastries. These vegan ones turn out just as good as the traditional kind.
Beautiful Presentation Ideas
Putting strawberries in a pretty fan shape makes them look extra special. Don't take too long though - cold pastry puffs up much better in the oven.
Perfect Timing Tricks
Think ahead - let your cream cheese warm up a bit while keeping your pastry cold. This creates that awesome contrast between flaky and creamy.
Ways to Enjoy
These Danishes go great with your morning brew or afternoon cup of tea. Try eating them when they're still a bit warm for the tastiest experience.
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After trying to get vegan pastries just right for so long, these Danishes show off the perfect mix of easy-to-make and fancy-looking. They show that plant-based baking can be just as layered, light and tasty as the traditional stuff.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I prepare them early?
- They're best when fresh but can sit in the fridge for 2 days. Let them warm to room temp before eating.
- → Where do I buy vegan pastry?
- JusRol is common and sold in stores like Sainsbury's, Tesco, and ASDA.
- → Can I swap strawberries for another fruit?
- Yep, berries like raspberries or blueberries make great replacements.
- → How should I keep extras?
- Put them in an airtight box in the fridge. Let them sit out till room temperature before eating.
- → Do I need to use vegan ingredients?
- Not at all! Regular cream cheese and milk work just fine.