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 (optional); 2/3 cup very small diced strawberries; 1 large egg whisked with 1 Tbsp water; Powdered sugar, for dusting

There’s something utterly cheerful about waking up to warm, flaky pastries bursting with fresh strawberries and creamy cheese. This Strawberry Cream Cheese Breakfast Pastries Recipe hits all the right notes for a morning treat that feels special but is surprisingly easy to make.

The image shows a heart-shaped pastry with two main layers. The bottom layer is a light golden, flaky pastry with soft, slightly puffed edges. On top is a thick layer of smooth, bright pink cream that fills the heart shape almost to the edges. Scattered on the pink cream are small pieces of fresh red strawberries, adding texture and color contrast. The pastries sit on a wood texture surface with a whole strawberry placed nearby. 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

Honestly, I can’t get enough of these pastries. They’re my go-to for weekend breakfasts when I want something impressive but low fuss. Plus, they bring a pop of color and a lovely sweet-tart balance that always gets compliments.

Perfectly flaky puff pastry: Achieves bakery-quality layers with minimal effort.
Bright, fresh strawberries: Adds a juicy, natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with cream cheese.
Easy-to-make filling: Cream cheese and strawberry jam blend smoothly, making prep simple and quick.
Beautiful presentation: Heart-shaped pastries dusted with powdered sugar make any morning feel festive.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start, gather simple yet well-chosen ingredients. I find that using high-quality puff pastry and ripe, fresh strawberries really elevates this recipe. Little touches, like softened cream cheese and a dash of food coloring, bring everything together beautifully.

Flat lay of a sheet of golden puff pastry, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl filled with vibrant red strawberry jam, a small white ceramic bowl containing very small diced fresh strawberries, one large whole brown egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, 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: The flaky base that puffs up golden and crisp, creating irresistible layers.
Cream cheese: Softened to perfectly blend with jam, providing a smooth, tangy creaminess.
Strawberry jam: Adds sweetness and helps bind the filling, enhancing the strawberry flavor.
Red food coloring (optional): Gives the cream cheese a subtle pink hue for a pretty pastel look.
Fresh strawberries: Very small dice keeps the fruit evenly distributed and juicy without sogginess.
Egg wash: A simple beaten egg mixed with water that seals the edges and gives a glossy, golden finish.
Powdered sugar: For dusting at the end, adding a delicate sweetness and bakery-style finish.

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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 your taste or occasion. Whether you want to switch up the shape, tweak the filling, or add a personal touch to the presentation, these pastries are wonderfully flexible.

Variation: For a quicker twist, I love simply cutting the puff pastry into 6 rectangles instead of hearts. Using a bit more cream cheese (3 oz), strawberry jam (2 ½ Tbsp), and increasing the strawberries to 1 cup gives a luscious layer of flavor with less fuss. It’s perfect for busy mornings when you want something tasty but speedy!
Diet-Friendly: To lighten things up, try swapping regular cream cheese for a lower-fat version or even a whipped cream cheese. It still blends beautifully with the jam and strawberries while cutting some calories.
Seasonal Fun: Although strawberries are classic here, feel free to swap in other seasonal berries like blueberries or raspberries. Each option lends its own pop of color and freshness.
Color Play: The optional drop of red food coloring is a neat touch if you want those cream cheese centers to really pop pink. I sometimes skip it and rely on the jam’s natural color instead.

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

The image shows eight heart-shaped pastries arranged on a white plate. Each pastry has a golden-brown, crispy crust forming the outer layer. Inside, there is a layer of soft cream or custard topped with small, bright red pieces of strawberries, evenly spread to fill the heart shapes. A light dusting of powdered sugar is sprinkled over the pastries and plate. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, with a few whole strawberries and a deep red cloth placed around it for decoration. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Thaw Puff Pastry and Preheat Oven

Begin by thawing your puff pastry sheet according to the package instructions—this usually takes about 30 minutes at room temperature. About halfway through thawing, go ahead and preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This timing ensures the oven will be nice and hot by the time you’re ready to bake. You’ll know your pastry is ready when it’s pliable but still cool to the touch.

Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

While the pastry is thawing, mix together the softened cream cheese, strawberry jam, and a drop of red food coloring if you like. Use a rubber spatula to press the mixture along the bowl’s bottom and sides until it’s completely smooth without any lumps. This helps your filling spread more easily and look flawless inside each pastry. Pop the mixture into the fridge to chill until you’re ready to assemble—if it gets too soft, a quick flash chill in the freezer works wonders to firm it up.

Step 3: Cut and Score Your Pastry Hearts

Roll out your thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and use a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many hearts as you can, placing them close together to maximize yield. Transfer these hearts carefully onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone liner, spacing them about 1 ½ inches apart.

Then, with a sharp paring knife, lightly score a smaller heart inside each cut-out, about ⅓ of an inch from the edge—be careful not to cut through the bottom of the dough. This scoring creates a charming border that will puff up distinctively around the filling during baking.

Step 4: Add the Filling and Strawberries

Spoon about 1 teaspoon of your cream cheese mixture into the center of each heart, spreading it gently but being sure to leave that ⅓-inch edge free of filling. Next, scatter the very small diced strawberries on top of the cream cheese, again keeping clear of the edges. The contrast between the creamy filling and juicy berries makes these pastries truly irresistible.

Step 5: Seal with Egg Wash and Bake

Brush the exposed border around each heart with the egg wash (one large egg beaten with a tablespoon of water). This egg wash helps the edges seal properly and also encourages a golden, glossy finish as they bake. Pop the tray into your preheated 400-degree oven and bake for 15 minutes. You’ll want to watch for the pastries to puff beautifully and turn a lovely golden brown on the edges.

Step 6: Cool, Dust, and Enjoy

Once baked, transfer the pastries to a wire rack to cool. When they’re just warm, dust the tops lightly with powdered sugar for a pretty finish and an extra touch of sweetness. These pastries are at their best when enjoyed fresh on the same day you bake them, so gather your family or guests and serve up a batch of warm, fruity delight!

Top Tip

These tips will help you nail the perfect flaky, flavorful Strawberry Cream Cheese Breakfast Pastries every time, making your mornings truly special.

Keep the Cream Cheese Mixture Firm: I found that chilling the cream cheese mixture until just before filling helped prevent it from spreading too thin during baking. If it seems too soft, a quick flash in the freezer works wonders!
Use Parchment or Silicone Liners: Baking directly on the sheet can lead to sticking or burnt bottoms. Using a liner makes cleanup super easy and keeps your pastries pristine.
Don’t Skip Scoring the Hearts: That light inner heart scoring is my secret for a beautifully puffed edge that frames the filling perfectly without leaks.
Brush Egg Wash Carefully: I always make sure to only brush the edges to seal. Too much on the filling can cause browning or a messier look.

How to Serve Strawberry Cream Cheese Breakfast Pastries Recipe

The image shows six heart-shaped pieces of dough placed in two columns of three on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Each dough heart has a layer of white cream spread on top, roughly filling the inner part of the heart shape. On top of the cream, there are chopped fresh strawberries, scattered evenly over the cream layer. The dough is pale and soft in texture, while the strawberries add a bright red color contrast. The baking tray and parchment paper have a slightly rustic look, with a white marbled surface underneath. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Lightly dust your pastries with powdered sugar just before serving to add a pretty snowy touch. Fresh mint leaves or a drizzle of honey can add a lovely contrast. For an extra burst of berry goodness, sprinkle a few finely chopped fresh strawberries over the top right before serving.

Side Dishes

These pastries pair wonderfully with a simple fruit salad or a bowl of Greek yogurt topped with granola. A hot cup of coffee, tea, or even freshly squeezed orange juice complements their sweet and creamy flavors beautifully—perfect for a relaxed weekend brunch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature no longer than one day to keep the puff pastry crisp. Beyond that, they tend to lose their flakiness and fresh burst of flavor.

Freezing

You can freeze baked pastries by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. For best texture, thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat gently before serving.

Reheating

Reheat your pastries in a 350°F oven for about 5–7 minutes until warmed through and crisp again. Avoid the microwave as it makes the puff pastry soggy and less appetizing.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Fresh strawberries work best here for texture and appearance, but if you use frozen, make sure to thaw and drain them very well to avoid soggy pastries.

Is there a substitute for puff pastry?

While puff pastry gives that flaky, buttery texture, you could try croissant dough for a similar effect, but expect a different rise and texture.

Can these pastries be made vegan?

To make these vegan, use dairy-free cream cheese alternatives, a plant-based puff pastry, and an egg wash substitute like almond milk or aquafaba.

How soon should I eat these pastries?

For the best puffiness and flavor, enjoy them the day you bake them. They don’t hold well overnight at room temperature.

Final Thoughts

There’s something so comforting about waking up to these strawberry cream cheese breakfast pastries—a little bite of buttery, sweet joy that feels like a warm morning hug. Whether for a special weekend or a treat to brighten an ordinary day, this recipe never fails to put smiles around the table. Give it a try and savor every golden, flaky moment!