Name: Strawberry Cream Cheese Breakfast Pastries Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 sheet (8.6 oz) puff pastry; 2 oz cream cheese, softened; 1 1/2 Tbsp strawberry jam; 1 drop red food coloring or 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 something flaky, sweet, and utterly charming, then this Strawberry Cream Cheese Breakfast Pastries Recipe is going to be your new morning obsession. Fresh strawberries and creamy cheese wrapped in buttery puff pastry—need I say more?

A heart-shaped pastry sits on a wooden board with a layer of golden, flaky crust forming the base. On top of the crust is a thick layer of smooth, pastel pink cream filling that fills the center of the heart, slightly cracked in some places. Embedded in the pink cream are small chunks of bright red strawberries, their textures juicy and detailed. Nearby, a whole fresh strawberry with green leaves adds a splash of natural color. The white marbled surface is faintly visible at the edge of 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 can’t tell you how many weekends I’ve made these pastries to impress guests or just spoil myself with a little kitchen magic. They’re surprisingly simple yet feel fancy enough for brunch or a special breakfast. Plus, they fill your home with that incredible oven-baked aroma we all crave!

Simple Ingredients: Uses just a few pantry staples and fresh strawberries—minimal fuss, maximum flavor.
Quick Prep: Ready in less than an hour, perfect for weekend mornings or last-minute brunch plans.
Beautiful Presentation: Heart-shaped puff pastry adds a charming touch that’s sure to wow family or guests.
Delicious Texture: Flaky pastry with smooth cream cheese and juicy strawberries create a perfect bite every time.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start, here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need and why each ingredient is key. Pretty much everything is easy to find at your local grocery store, but don’t skip on fresh, ripe strawberries—they really make a difference in flavor and texture here!

Flat lay of a sheet of fresh puff pastry rolled out flat, a small white ceramic bowl with smooth cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl containing vibrant red strawberry jam, a small white ceramic bowl with tiny diced fresh strawberries, one large whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl holding a drop of bright red food coloring, and a small white ceramic bowl with powdered sugar, all arranged symmetrically 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: The flaky, buttery base that makes these pastries light and airy.
Cream Cheese: Softened to a spreadable texture, it adds rich creaminess to balance the sweetness.
Strawberry Jam: Adds brightness and a touch of sweetness, blending beautifully with the cream cheese.
Red Food Coloring or Beet Powder: Optional, but it enhances the pink hue of the filling for a pretty pop of color.
Fresh Strawberries: Diced small for even distribution and juicy bursts of fresh flavor.
Egg and Water Mixture (Egg Wash): For brushing the pastry edges to get that gorgeous golden-brown finish.
Powdered Sugar: A light dusting adds a delicate sweetness and makes the pastries look extra inviting.

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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 easily you can tailor it to fit your taste or occasion. Don’t be shy about mixing things up—you might discover a favorite new twist!

Variation: For a quicker breakfast fix, I sometimes skip the heart shapes and cut the puff pastry into 6 rectangles. Then I slice strawberries thinly instead of dicing, which covers more surface area and looks beautiful. You can increase the cream cheese to 3 oz, the jam to 2 ½ tablespoons, and use 1 cup of strawberries to keep each pastry nicely balanced. It’s a faster, equally delicious version perfect for busy mornings.
Natural Color Boost: If you prefer to avoid artificial colors, try using beet powder instead of the red food coloring. It gives the filling a lovely, natural pink hue that feels just right for spring or Valentine’s Day.
Storage Tip: These pastries are best enjoyed fresh. Puff pastry tends to lose its delicate flakiness when stored, so plan to serve them the same day they come out of the oven for that perfect crisp, buttery texture.

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

A white plate holds eight heart-shaped pastries arranged in a loose circle and one more partially in view at the bottom. Each pastry has a golden-brown crust with a slightly raised edge, forming one layer, filled with bright red chopped strawberries filling the center layer, which looks juicy and fresh. The strawberries are glossy and unevenly sized, sitting on a pale creamy base that adds contrast to the red fruit. A light dusting of powdered sugar tops the pastries, adding a fine white texture. Around the plate, fresh whole strawberries with green leaves are scattered on a white marbled surface, along with a spoon of powdered sugar and a rich red cloth that adds a deep color contrast. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Thaw and Preheat

Start by thawing your puff pastry sheet according to the package instructions—this usually takes about 30 minutes at room temperature. About halfway through thawing, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Having the oven ready right when your pastry is thawed helps you keep everything fresh and flaky.

Step 2: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Mixture

In a small bowl, use a rubber spatula to mix softened cream cheese, strawberry jam, and a drop of red food coloring (or beet powder if you prefer natural color). Press and scrape the mixture along the bottom and sides of the bowl to break up any lumps until you get a perfectly smooth, creamy filling. To keep it from being runny, pop it in the fridge or flash chill it in the freezer if your pastry is almost ready.

Step 3: Cut Out the Pastry Shapes

On a lightly floured surface or your clean countertop, roll out the puff pastry if needed, then use a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes. Be sure to space your cuts close together to get the most pastries from your sheet — wasting dough is never fun! Transfer the cut hearts to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, spacing them about 1 ½ inches apart to give them room to puff up beautifully.

Step 4: Score the Pastry Hearts

With a sharp paring knife, gently score a smaller heart inside each pastry heart, about ⅓ inch from the edge. Be careful not to cut all the way through to the bottom layer. This scoring creates a border that will puff up and keep your filling neatly nestled in the center as it bakes.

Step 5: Fill and Top the Pastries

Add 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture to the center of each scored heart. Use a small spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the filling gently outward, avoiding the ⅓-inch border so the edges remain exposed. Then sprinkle the very small diced strawberries evenly over the cream cheese, again keeping away from the edges. This contrast between creamy cheese and juicy strawberries is where the magic happens!

Step 6: Brush on the Egg Wash

Using your fingertip or a small pastry brush, carefully brush the exposed borders of each pastry heart with the egg wash (whisked egg and water). This step helps the pastry edges achieve a gorgeous golden brown finish and a slight shine once they bake.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake the pastries for 15 minutes. Keep an eye on the edges—they should puff up beautifully and turn a lovely golden brown. The sweet aroma will practically fill your kitchen with the promise of a delightful breakfast.

Step 8: Cool, Dust, and Serve

Once baked, carefully transfer the pastries to a wire rack to cool. Dust them lightly with powdered sugar for that perfect finishing touch. Serve these strawberry cream cheese breakfast pastries the same day you make them to enjoy their crisp, flaky texture at its best.

Top Tip

These tips come from hands-on baking and are designed to help your Strawberry Cream Cheese Breakfast Pastries Recipe turn out perfectly flaky, flavorful, and picture-perfect every time.

Keep the Cream Cheese Mixture Firm: Chilling the cream cheese filling before spreading helps it hold its shape and prevents it from seeping into the pastry, keeping those edges beautifully crisp.
Score Gently and Precisely: When scoring the smaller heart inside the pastry, be sure not to cut all the way through. This little groove guides puffing but keeps the filling neatly contained.
Egg Wash Makes All the Difference: Brushing the exposed edges with egg wash guarantees a golden, glossy finish that makes your pastries irresistible.
Avoid Overfilling: Too much cream cheese or strawberries can cause the pastries to leak or become soggy, so stick to about a teaspoon per pastry for the best results.

How to Serve Strawberry Cream Cheese Breakfast Pastries Recipe

The image shows six heart-shaped pieces of pastry dough placed on white parchment paper on a baking tray. Each heart-shaped dough has a layer of white cream spread on top, covering most of the center area. On top of the cream, there are small chopped strawberry pieces, bright red with some light pink and white parts, scattered evenly across each heart. The dough looks smooth and light beige, while the strawberries add a fresh, juicy contrast. The tray is on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

For a charming presentation, lightly dust your pastries with powdered sugar just before serving. You can also add a sprig of fresh mint or a few whole strawberries on the side to complement their fruity freshness.

Side Dishes

Pair these pastries with a simple green salad featuring citrus vinaigrette for a refreshing brunch. Freshly brewed coffee or a mimosa also makes a perfect companion to enhance your morning treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature and enjoy within the same day. Puff pastry is best fresh, as it tends to lose its flaky texture after sitting.

Freezing

To freeze, bake the pastries fully and cool completely. Then wrap individually in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They will keep well for up to one month.

Reheating

Reheat frozen or stored pastries in a 350°F oven for about 5–7 minutes to refresh crispiness without drying out the filling. Avoid microwaving to keep that delicate flaky texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the strawberry cream cheese filling ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the cream cheese mixture a few hours ahead and keep it chilled in the refrigerator to maintain firmness until you’re ready to assemble the pastries.

What if I don’t have a heart-shaped cookie cutter?

No worries! You can cut the puff pastry into rectangles or any shape you like. Just adjust the amount of filling slightly to cover the surface.

Why do I need to score the pastry hearts before baking?

Light scoring creates a defined border that helps the pastry puff around the filling, giving it a lovely shape and preventing the filling from spreading too much.

Can I use frozen strawberries for the filling?

Fresh strawberries work best to keep the filling from getting watery, but if using frozen, make sure to thaw and drain them well before dicing.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Cream Cheese Breakfast Pastries Recipe is truly a delightful way to start your day, whether it’s a special occasion or simply a weekend treat. There’s something so comforting about flaky pastry combined with sweet, creamy filling and fresh fruit—like a little hug from your kitchen. I hope these tips help you enjoy every bite just as much as I do. Happy baking!