Name: Strawberry Cream Cheese Breakfast 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 love starting your day with a little sweetness and a lot of charm, this Strawberry Cream Cheese Breakfast Pastries Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine flaky puff pastry hearts filled with creamy, fruity goodness—a perfect treat to brighten your morning or impress at brunch.

The image shows a close-up of heart-shaped pastries on a wooden board with a white marbled surface below. Each pastry has two layers: the bottom layer is golden brown and flaky, with a smooth, slightly shiny texture. The top layer is thick and creamy, colored bright pink, spread evenly within the heart shape, and embedded with small, red, fresh strawberry pieces that add texture and contrast. There are also fresh whole strawberries placed next to the pastries on the board. 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 Breakfast Pastries Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Strawberry Cream Cheese Breakfast Pastries Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Cream Cheese Breakfast Pastries Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely excited to share this recipe because it’s one of those delightful mornings-in-bed kind of treats made simple enough for any home cook. The balance of creamy cheese, sweet strawberry jam, and fresh diced strawberries all nestled in buttery puff pastry is just irresistible.

Effortlessly impressive: These pastries look fancy but come together with minimal fuss.
Flavor-packed filling: Cream cheese and strawberry jam create a luscious, slightly tangy sweetness.
Perfect portion size: Cute heart shapes make them fun to serve and enjoy without overindulging.
Fresh and flaky: Puffy pastry edges bake to a golden crisp that pairs beautifully with the soft filling.

Ingredients & Why They Work

For these charming strawberry cream cheese breakfast pastries, selecting the right ingredients makes all the difference. Fresh strawberries and good-quality cream cheese are key, while the puff pastry provides that perfect crisp and flaky texture we all crave.

Flat lay of a sheet of golden puff pastry, a small mound of smooth cream cheese in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl filled with glossy red strawberry jam, a few bright red very small diced fresh strawberries scattered neatly, one large whole brown-shelled clean egg, and a small white bowl of fine white powdered sugar, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, 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: I use pre-made sheets for ease, but it delivers a wonderfully flaky base that's buttery and light.
Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese creates a smooth, creamy contrast to the sweet strawberry elements.
Strawberry jam: This adds a sweet, fruity depth and complements the fresh diced strawberries beautifully.
Fresh strawberries: Very finely diced for even distribution and freshness in every bite.
Egg wash (egg + water): Gives the pastry a glossy, golden edge and helps seal in the filling.
Powdered sugar: For that final delicate dusting that adds a pretty finish and a touch of sweetness.
Optional red food coloring or beet powder: A subtle touch to enhance that lovely strawberry hue in the cream cheese mixture.

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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

One of the best things about this Strawberry Cream Cheese Breakfast Pastries Recipe is how easy it is to customize! Whether you're craving a twist on flavors or need to accommodate a dietary preference, these flaky treats are a wonderful canvas for your creativity.

Variation: For a nutty twist, I like sprinkling some toasted sliced almonds over the cream cheese before adding the diced strawberries. It adds a lovely crunch and a subtle nutty flavor that complements the sweetness perfectly.
Dairy-Free Option: Substitute the cream cheese with a dairy-free cream cheese alternative, and it still bakes up beautifully. Just be sure to use a vegan puff pastry to keep it completely plant-based.
Seasonal Twist: Swap the strawberries for blueberries or raspberries during other seasons, or try a mix for a colorful burst! Using fresh, local berries really makes these pastries shine.
Time-Saving Tip: Instead of hearts, cut the puff pastry into rectangles to quickly fill and bake—perfect for when you're short on time but still want a special breakfast.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Breakfast Pastries Recipe

The image shows eight heart-shaped pastries on a dark round plate, placed on a white marbled surface with a rich red cloth nearby. Each pastry has two layers: a golden-brown, flaky outer crust shaped like a heart, and an inner filling made of small, bright red strawberry pieces with a slightly shiny texture. The pastries are dusted lightly with white powdered sugar, adding a soft, snowy contrast on top. Around the plate, there are several whole strawberries scattered on the white marbled surface. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Thaw and Preheat for Success

Begin by thawing your puff pastry according to the package instructions. Halfway through thawing, go ahead and preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures your baking environment is ready as soon as your pastry is thawed, helping you keep everything moving smoothly. The puff pastry should be fully thawed but still cold to the touch—that cold temperature is key to getting those flaky, golden layers!

Step 2: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Filling

In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with the strawberry jam. If you want that lovely rose-tinted hue, add a drop of red food coloring or beet powder. Use a rubber spatula to press and mix the ingredients along the bottom and sides of the bowl until smooth and lump-free. To keep the filling from spreading too much, pop it into the refrigerator to chill—if your pastry is almost thawed, a quick flash chill in the freezer works wonders.

Step 3: Cut Out Heart-Shaped Pastries

Roll or unfold your puff pastry on a sheet and use a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to stamp as many hearts as possible, placing them close together for best yield. Transferring these delicate shapes to a lined baking sheet is easiest if you carefully slide a thin spatula underneath. Make sure to space the hearts about 1 ½ inches apart—this gives them room to puff perfectly without sticking.

Step 4: Score the Inner Hearts with Care

Using a sharp paring knife, gently score a smaller heart shape inside each pastry heart. Keep this line about ⅓-inch from the edge, being careful not to cut all the way through the bottom layer. This scored boundary acts as a neat guide for the filling and helps your pastries puff with a lovely layered effect.

Step 5: Fill and Top with Fresh Strawberries

Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each scored heart. Spread it outward gently, but leave the ⅓-inch edge free of filling to allow for sealing. Next, sprinkle the diced strawberries on top, again avoiding the edges to keep things tidy and perfect for sealing.

Step 6: Seal Edges with Egg Wash

Time to bring it all together! Lightly brush the reservation edge on each pastry heart with your whisked egg and water mixture. This egg wash acts like edible glue, sealing the edges and giving your pastries that irresistible golden sheen once baked.

Step 7: Bake Until Golden Perfection

Pop your baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes. You'll know they're ready when the edges are puffed and turn a beautiful golden brown. That flaky texture and sweet aroma will fill your kitchen and get everyone eager to taste.

Step 8: Cool, Dust, and Delight

Remove the pastries from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, dust them generously with powdered sugar for that finishing touch. These pastries are best enjoyed the day you make them—fresh, flaky, and bursting with sweet strawberry goodness!

Top Tip

These tips will help you achieve perfectly flaky, beautifully golden Strawberry Cream Cheese Breakfast Pastries every single time — making your mornings a little sweeter and less stressful!

Keep the Puff Pastry Cold: I learned that thawing the puff pastry just until pliable but still cold helps in cutting crisp, clean heart shapes without the dough sticking or tearing.
Flash Chill the Filling: Flash chilling the cream cheese and strawberry jam mixture right before filling prevents it from running and keeps your pastries neat and delightful to look at.
Score Carefully: Lightly scoring an inner heart on each pastry heart ensures the filling stays beautifully contained while letting the edges puff up to that perfect golden crust.
Don’t Skip the Egg Wash: Brushing the edges with egg wash seals the pastries and promotes that irresistible shiny, golden finish — never skip this step!

How to Serve Strawberry Cream Cheese Breakfast Pastries Recipe

The image shows six heart-shaped pastry dough pieces placed on white parchment paper over a baking tray. Each heart-shaped dough has a layer of white cream spread in the center, topped with fresh, chopped red strawberries. The strawberries are bright and cut into small chunks. The dough is pale and smooth, forming the base layer, while the cream and strawberries create two more distinct layers on top, all evenly distributed in the heart shapes. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Besides a generous dusting of powdered sugar, try adding a light drizzle of honey or a splash of warm maple syrup for that extra touch of sweetness. Fresh mint leaves make a lovely, fresh garnish as well, offering a pop of color and fragrance.

Side Dishes

Pair these pastries with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a small bowl of mixed berries for added freshness. A warm cup of coffee, a fresh fruit smoothie, or even scrambled eggs and crispy bacon would round out a perfectly balanced brunch plate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day. Since puff pastry loses its crunchiness quickly, it’s best to enjoy these pastries fresh the day they are made.

Freezing

You can freeze the unbaked shaped pastries by arranging them on a baking sheet, flash freezing until solid, and then transferring them to a freezer bag for up to one month. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as usual.

Reheating

To revive leftover pastries, gently warm them in a 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes to crisp up the edges without drying out the filling. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make puff pastry soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Fresh strawberries are best to maintain the texture and moisture balance in the pastries. If you must use frozen, make sure to thaw and thoroughly drain them to avoid soggy pastries.

What can I use instead of strawberry jam?

You can substitute with raspberry or apricot jam for a different but equally delicious twist. Just keep the same quantity to maintain the right sweetness and texture.

Why do I need to score the pastries before filling?

Scoring creates a smaller inner heart area to hold the filling, which prevents spillover during baking while allowing the outer edges to puff beautifully and create a perfect frame for the filling.

Can these pastries be made vegan?

To make them vegan, use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative and an egg wash substitute such as aquafaba mixed with a little water. Also, ensure your puff pastry is vegan-friendly as some brands contain butter.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about starting your day with a homemade treat that’s both beautiful and delicious. These Strawberry Cream Cheese Breakfast Pastries Recipe offer just the right balance of flaky, sweet, and fresh—a little hug in pastry form. Whether you’re serving them for a leisurely brunch or a weekend breakfast surprise, I hope these pastries bring a smile to your table and encourage you to savor those sweet moments. Happy baking!