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Crispy, puffy dough sheets wrap around a smooth plant-based cream cheese mixture, topped with juicy strawberries in these fancy Danish treats. These adorable heart-shaped goodies mix the soft crunch of flaky dough with a super creamy middle, making a bakery-level snack that's totally vegan.
I've brought these to so many morning get-togethers, and everyone's shocked when I tell them there's no dairy. The way the dough rises around the smooth filling makes such pretty layers that nobody ever misses the butter.
Key Components and Shopping Advice
- Plant-based puff pastry: Go for ones clearly marked "vegan" since many have butter in them
- Non-dairy cream cheese: Grab the full-fat kind for the creamiest results
- Ripe strawberries: Look for bright, firm ones without mushy parts
- Fine sugar: It mixes into the filling without any graininess
- Plant milk: Pick an unsweetened type so you can manage how sweet things get
Step-by-Step Process
- Step 1: Get Pastry Ready
- Let your 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 greaseproof paper on two baking sheets.
- Step 2: Flatten the Pastry
- Carefully open the pastry onto a surface with a little flour. Lightly use a rolling pin to smooth any creases. The dough should stay cool but bendable.
- Step 3: Make Heart Cutouts
- With big heart cookie cutters, cut as many shapes as you can. Put them on your lined trays with room between each one.
- Step 4: Make Borders
- Using a smaller heart cutter, push down gently to make an inner border for your filling, but don't cut all the way through.
- Step 5: Mix Your Filling
- Stir together plant-based cream cheese, flour, and sugar until it's smooth. Put it in a piping bag with round tip or just grab a spoon for filling.
- Step 6: Prep the Berries
- Clean and thinly slice strawberries right before you need them so the pastry stays cool.
- Step 7: Put Everything Together
- Add cream cheese mix to the inner heart areas, leaving a small edge. Place strawberry slices in a pretty pattern on top.
- Step 8: Final Touches
- Brush the edges with plant milk and sprinkle with fine sugar to make them turn golden brown while baking.
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I spent my childhood in my grandma's bakery, where I learned that watching your temperatures makes perfect pastries. These vegan ones still have that same top-notch quality.
Creative Arrangement
Laying out strawberries like a fan makes them look extra fancy. Work fast to keep the dough cold, which helps it puff up better in the oven.
Perfect Timing
Think ahead - let your cream cheese warm up slightly while keeping your dough in the fridge. This balance gives you that awesome texture contrast.
Ways to Enjoy
These treats go great with your morning coffee or afternoon tea break. Try eating them a bit warm for the most amazing texture.
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After spending years trying to nail vegan pastries, these Danishes hit the sweet spot between easy and fancy. They show that plant-based baking can create the same delicate, puffy results as old-school methods.
Common Questions
- → Can I prep these early?
- They're best the same day but can be chilled for 2 days. Let them sit out before serving.
- → Where can I buy vegan puff pastry?
- JusRol is carried at supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury's, and ASDA.
- → What other fruits can I use?
- Try swapping in blueberries, raspberries, or other small berries.
- → How should I store the extras?
- Keep them in the fridge in a sealed container and let them warm up before eating.
- → Do these work with non-vegan ingredients?
- Yes, regular cream cheese and milk will do just fine.