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Crispy, rich dough sheets wrap around a smooth plant-based cream cheese mixture, topped with juicy strawberries in these fancy Danish treats. These love-shaped goodies mix the subtle crunch of pastry with an incredibly creamy middle, making a bakery-level delight that's totally vegan.
I've brought these to so many morning get-togethers, and everyone's shocked when I tell them they're vegan. The way the dough rises around that velvety filling makes such gorgeous texture that nobody ever misses dairy products.
Key Components and Shopping Advice
- Plant-based puff pastry: Go for ones clearly marked "vegan" since many have butter in them
- Plant-based cream cheese: Grab the full-fat kind for the creamiest results
- Ripe strawberries: Pick bright, firm ones without mushy parts
- Fine sugar: It mixes perfectly into your filling without graininess
- Plant milk: Stick with the plain kind so you can manage how sweet everything is
Step-by-Step Method
- Step 1: Get Ready
- Let puff pastry sit out about 5 minutes so it won't break when you unfold it. Heat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and put baking paper on two trays.
- Step 2: Flatten The Dough
- Carefully open the pastry on a surface with a bit of flour. Lightly use a rolling pin to smooth out any creases. Keep the dough cool but workable.
- Step 3: Make Hearts
- Cut out as many hearts as you can using big heart cookie cutters. Put them on your lined trays with room between each.
- Step 4: Create Borders
- Push a smaller heart cutter gently into each piece to make shallow borders for filling, but don't cut all the way through.
- Step 5: Mix 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: Prep Berries
- Clean and thinly cut strawberries so they're ready to use before your dough gets too warm.
- Step 7: Build Your Treats
- Add cream cheese mixture inside the marked heart areas, leaving a little space at the edges. Place strawberry slices in a pretty pattern on top.
- Step 8: Final Touches
- Brush the edges with plant milk and sprinkle with fine sugar so they'll turn golden brown while baking.
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I spent my childhood in my grandma's bakery where I learned temperature makes or breaks pastry. These vegan versions still hit that same professional quality mark.
Creative Assembly
Putting strawberries in a pretty fan shape makes them look extra special. Work fast to keep that dough cool for better puffing when it bakes.
Perfect Timing
Think ahead - soften cream cheese a bit while keeping dough cold. This balance gives you that amazing contrast between crisp and creamy.
Ways To Enjoy
These treats go great with your morning cup or afternoon tea break. Try them a little warm for the most amazing mouthfeel.
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After trying for years to nail vegan pastries, these Danishes hit that sweet spot between easy and fancy. They show that plant-based baking can get you those same light, flaky results as the old-school way.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I prepare these in advance?
- They're best fresh but can chill in the fridge for 2 days. Let them warm up before serving.
- → Where to buy vegan puff pastry?
- JusRol offers them, and they're found in larger stores like Tesco, Sainsbury's, and ASDA.
- → Can I switch out the fruit?
- Sure! Berries like raspberries or blueberries are great swaps for strawberries.
- → What's the best way to store leftovers?
- Keep them in the fridge inside an airtight box. Let them sit out for a bit before eating.
- → What if I don't need it vegan?
- You can sub in regular cream cheese and dairy milk for the plant-based ones.