1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets: Setting the Stage for Baking

1. Thaw Puff Pastry: Make sure to pull the puff pastry to thaw at room temperature for about 30-45 minutes, or according to package directions. This makes it easier to unfold and work with.
2. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
3. Line Baking Sheets: Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents the pastries from sticking and makes cleanup much easier.

2. Prepare the Strawberries: Enhancing Sweetness and Preventing Soggy Pastries

1. Clean and Slice: Wash, hull, and slice the fresh strawberries (4 cups).
2. Combine with Sugar and Cornstarch: In a mixing bowl, combine the sliced strawberries with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Mix gently to ensure all the strawberries are well coated.
   • Tip: The cornstarch helps to thicken the juices released by the strawberries during baking, preventing the pastries from becoming soggy.
3. Set Aside: Allow the strawberries to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. This allows the sugar to draw out some of the juices and the cornstarch to start thickening.

3. Make the Cream Cheese Filling: A Sweet and Tangy Base

1. Beat Cream Cheese: In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese (8 oz) with an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer) until it’s smooth and creamy.
2. Add Powdered Sugar and Vanilla: Add ½ cup of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the cream cheese. Beat again until well combined, smooth, and fluffy.

4. Assemble the Danishes: Building Layers of Flavor and Texture

1. Unfold Puff Pastry: Carefully unfold one sheet of thawed puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface.
2. Cut into Rectangles: Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the puff pastry sheet along the folded lines (usually it’s folded in thirds). Then, cut each of the long rectangles in half in the center to form two smaller rectangles. You should have a total of six smaller rectangles from one sheet.
3. Score Borders: With a small paring knife, score or gently cut into the dough, but not all the way through, a border about ¼ inch from the edges of each puff pastry rectangle. This creates a slightly raised edge that will help contain the filling.
4. Spread Cream Cheese Filling: Spread about 1 tablespoon of the prepared cream cheese filling in the center of each puff pastry rectangle, staying within the scored borders.
5. Top with Strawberries: Decoratively layer the sliced, sugared strawberries on top of the cream cheese filling.
6. Prepare Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 large egg with 1 teaspoon of water.
7. Brush Edges: Lightly brush the edges of the puff pastry (the scored border) with the beaten egg wash.
   • Tip: The egg wash helps create a golden-brown color and a slightly glossy finish on the pastry.
8. Sprinkle (optional): Sprinkle sugar over the top.

5. Chill (Optional): Enhancing Puff Pastry’s Flakiness

1. Chill: If the puff pastry has become too warm or sticky while you were working with it, transfer the baking sheet with the prepped strawberry danishes into the fridge to chill for 15-20 minutes before baking.
   • Tip: Chilling the puff pastry helps it puff up more beautifully during baking.

6. Bake the Danishes: Achieving Golden-Brown and Flaky Perfection

1. Bake: Bake the strawberry cream cheese danishes in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastries are a light golden brown color and the pastry is puffed up.
2. Cool: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the danishes cool on the hot baking sheets for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.

7. Prepare the Optional Glaze: Adding a Final Touch of Sweetness

1. Whisk Ingredients: If you want to add a glaze, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 2-3 tablespoons of milk in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
2. Adjust Consistency: Adjust the consistency of the glaze by adding more milk (for a thinner glaze) or more powdered sugar (for a thicker glaze) as needed.

8. Top, Serve, and Enjoy: Savoring the Deliciousness

1. Add Jam (Optional): If desired, top each cooled strawberry danish with a small amount of warm strawberry jam.
2. Drizzle with Glaze (Optional): Drizzle the prepared vanilla glaze over the cooled danishes.
3. Serve: Serve and enjoy your homemade Strawberry Danishes!