Name: Easy Vegan Strawberry Danish
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 33 min
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: 1 sheet puff pastry (make sure it’s vegan, or use a plant-based brand); 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped; 2 tablespoons sugar (or sweetener of choice); 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thicker filling); 1/2 cup vegan cream cheese; 2 tablespoons powdered sugar; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 cup powdered sugar; 1 tablespoon almond milk (or other plant-based milk); 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

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Indulge in a flaky, buttery pastry with a sweet, fruity filling that’s entirely plant-based. This Easy Vegan Strawberry Danish recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet afternoon treat. With a soft, golden puff pastry shell and a luscious strawberry filling, these danishes are so simple to make but taste like they’ve come straight from a bakery. The use of vegan butter ensures that the pastry is wonderfully flaky, while the strawberry filling provides a fresh, tangy sweetness that’s irresistible. Whether you’re a long-time vegan or simply looking for a lighter version of your favorite pastry, this vegan strawberry danish will hit all the right notes. It’s a delightful, quick, and easy recipe to prepare, making it perfect for both beginner and seasoned bakers.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Quick and Easy

No need for complicated dough-making or long preparation times! This recipe uses pre-made puff pastry, cutting down on effort and time.

2. Vegan-Friendly

With simple substitutions, this danish is completely vegan, so everyone can enjoy the flaky layers and sweet fruit filling without worry.

3. Fresh and Fruity

The strawberry filling is made with fresh strawberries, giving the danish a burst of natural sweetness that pairs perfectly with the flaky pastry.

4. Customizable

Feel free to experiment with different fruits, like blueberries, raspberries, or peaches, to make this danish your own.

5. Perfect for Any Occasion

Whether it’s for a casual breakfast or a special brunch gathering, these vegan strawberry danishes are a showstopper that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Puff pastry (vegan-friendly)
Fresh strawberries
Sugar (or sweetener of your choice)
Lemon juice
Cornstarch (for thickening)
Vegan butter
Plant-based milk (for brushing)
Powdered sugar (for drizzling, optional)

Variations

Mixed Berry Danish: Use a mix of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for a more complex, tangy fruit filling.
Peach Filling: Swap out the strawberries for fresh peaches for a summery twist on this recipe.
Almond Cream Filling: For an extra layer of flavor, add a small spoonful of vegan almond cream or vegan cream cheese inside the puff pastry before adding the fruit filling.
Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted dairy-free chocolate over the top for an indulgent dessert variation.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the pastries from sticking.

Step 2: Prepare the Strawberry Filling

In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries break down and the mixture thickens to a jam-like consistency. Once done, remove from heat and let it cool.

Step 3: Prepare the Puff Pastry

Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut it into squares or rectangles. You can make as many or as few danishes as you like, depending on how big you cut the pastry.

Step 4: Fill the Pastry

Spoon a generous amount of the cooled strawberry filling into the center of each pastry square. Be careful not to overfill to avoid spilling during baking.

Step 5: Fold and Shape

Fold the corners of the pastry over the filling to create a parcel shape, leaving the center exposed. You can also fold in two opposite corners for a more traditional danish shape.

Step 6: Brush with Plant-Based Milk

Brush the tops of the danishes with a bit of plant-based milk (such as almond or oat milk) for a golden, shiny finish after baking.

Step 7: Bake

Place the danishes on your prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastries are golden and puffed up.

Step 8: Let Them Cool

Once baked, remove the danishes from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before drizzling with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness (optional).

Tips for Making the Recipe

Use Cold Puff Pastry: Keep your puff pastry cold until ready to use. This ensures that the layers puff up nicely in the oven.
Don’t Overfill: Be careful not to overfill the pastries with strawberry filling, as it can leak out and cause a mess while baking.
Experiment with Flavors: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the strawberry filling for an extra depth of flavor.
Golden Finish: For an extra golden finish, brush the pastries with a little plant-based milk before baking.

How to Serve

These Vegan Strawberry Danishes are perfect for a leisurely brunch or as a treat with your morning coffee or tea. Serve them as-is or with a drizzle of additional powdered sugar or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you prefer them warm, simply reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes.

Freezing

You can freeze unbaked, assembled danishes for up to a month. Place the unbaked danishes on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Bake from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes.

Reheating

Reheat baked danishes by placing them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes until warmed through and crispy.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen strawberries for the filling?

Yes, frozen strawberries work well. Just make sure to thaw and drain any excess liquid before using them in the filling.

2. Can I use a different type of fruit?

Absolutely! You can substitute the strawberries for other berries like raspberries, blueberries, or even peaches for a different flavor profile.

3. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

To make this recipe gluten-free, use a gluten-free puff pastry alternative.

4. Can I prepare these danishes in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the danishes ahead of time and store them in the fridge until ready to bake. Bake them just before serving.

5. Can I add a glaze on top?

Yes, you can drizzle a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and plant-based milk over the baked danishes for added sweetness.

6. How do I prevent the danish from becoming soggy?

Ensure that your filling is not too liquidy. If using frozen fruit, drain it well before using it in the filling.

7. Can I use store-bought jam instead of making the strawberry filling?

Yes, store-bought jam or fruit preserves can be used in place of homemade strawberry filling for added convenience.

8. Can I use margarine instead of vegan butter?

Yes, margarine can be used as a substitute for vegan butter in this recipe.

9. How long will these danishes stay fresh?

These danishes are best enjoyed within 2 days, but they can be stored in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

10. Can I make these danishes without sugar?

Yes, you can substitute the sugar with a natural sweetener like maple syrup or agave nectar to make them lower in refined sugar.

Conclusion

These Easy Vegan Strawberry Danishes are a simple yet delicious way to enjoy the flaky, buttery texture of a classic danish without any animal products. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a light dessert, and they’re quick enough to make for any occasion. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can enjoy a fresh, plant-based treat that tastes like it came from a professional bakery.