My sweet tooth sometimes gets ahold of me and won't let up until I satisfy that craving for whatever particular sweet treat I'm craving at the moment. I like to think I get it honest, per my grandmother, who had a mean sweet tooth.
But let me tell you, moderation is key and plays a role in this recipe… Bite-sized treats are perfect when trying to satisfy a craving yet still not gorge oneself on sweet goodies from above.
When I cooked this up, I knew I wanted something similar to a cheese danish. Shopping for ingredients led me to these itty bitty Puff Pastry Cups.
Aren't they cute? They are awesome! I totally see cream puffs in our future with these bad boys.
These bite-sized morsels of creamy cheesecake-esque goodness are delightfully easy to make, and here's how.
First things first, bake the Puff Pastry Cups according to package directions. When done, after about 20 minutes, immediately remove from oven and press center of each cup down with the tip of a wooden spoon handle. Then fill each cup with a spoonful or dollop of the cream cheese filling you mixed up while they were baking. Bake again for about 15 minutes at a lower temp (exact instructions are in the printable recipe below).
Once filling is set, remove from oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes. Then top with a small dollop of strawberry jam, and lace with a simple powdered sugar icing. Of course, store them in the fridge until ready to serve.
They're so scrumptious! I love the mini size… It's the perfect amount of sweet to satisfy that craving yet not overdo. Moderation…
Below you'll find the printable recipe. Enjoy!
Can't make it just yet? Pin it for later!
Easy Strawberry Cheese Danish Pastry Bites
Ingredients
Pastry Bites:
- 1 pkg. Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Cups
- 1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
- 3 tbsp. granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 1 egg yolk
- Strawberry jam
Icing:
- 1-2 tbsp. salted butter melted
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 5 tbsp. heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Set Puff Pastry Cups on ungreased cookie sheet. Follow package directions, baking at 400° for about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and egg yolk 'til smooth and creamy.
- When done, remove Pastry Cups from oven and immediately press center of each cup down with tip of wooden spoon handle.
- Spoon cream cheese mixture into each cup, adding a small dollop in each.
- Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until filling is set.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Top each danish with small dollop of strawberry jam.
- Mix icing ingredients together until smooth and creamy. It will have a thin consistency.
- Drizzle each pastry bite with icing.
- Store in fridge 'til ready to serve.
- Serve and enjoy!
What if you don’t like the cheese filling? Have you made it with just a fruit filling?
Gina, I’m sure you could do that.
Oh, my! These look incredible! But you’re right about moderation. I could see myself eating 6 and patting myself on the back because they’re little! ;)
LOL Sherry, I may be guilty of that myself. Thank you!
I’m making 48 of these for my church’s Women’s Luncheon this Sunday! Small problem…had to buy pastry sheets. How can I turn them into small cups?
Millie, hmmm… You could maybe cut each sheet into small squares? They’ll still puff up, and you could still punch them down… It might not work quite as well, but I make whole fruit pizzas with pastry sheets all the time, so it may do just fine. Good luck!
I am looking at doing these for Christmas brunch next week, if i got the sheets (my local grocery store doesn’t carry the cups) would it be better to put the tiny squares I cut into mini muffin tins to kinda keep them together while the bake?
Samantha, I think that’s probably what I would do, just to kinda cup them so they stay together. Merry Christmas to you! I hope you enjoy.
I’m going to have to try these. They look yummy!
Nina, thank you! They are just about gone here. Pretty tasty!