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These strawberry cheesecake turnovers combine flaky, buttery puff pastry with a creamy blend of softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Fresh diced strawberries add a bright contrast, making each bite a perfect balance of crisp texture and fruity richness. These treats are ideal for springtime brunches or a sweet afternoon pick-me-up alongside coffee. They come together quickly, look impressive, and are always a crowd-pleaser.
When I first baked these for Easter brunch, everyone was hooked, and my neighbor who rarely touches dessert asked for seconds.
Ingredients
- Frozen puff pastry: choose a brand with real butter for the flakiest and most flavorful layers
- Cream cheese: use block cream cheese softened to room temperature for smooth and rich filling
- Powdered sugar: sweetens the filling and dusting; sifting helps avoid lumps and creates a delicate finish
- Vanilla extract: adds warmth and depth that balances the tartness of the berries (pure extract is best)
- Fresh strawberries: pick ripe, deep red berries for the juiciest sweetness (raspberries or blueberries are fine substitutes)
- Egg: makes the pastry glossy and golden (fresh organic eggs produce a more vibrant color)
- Water: combined with egg to create an even egg wash for brushing on the pastry
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients:
- Ensure puff pastry is fully thawed but still cool and cream cheese is soft at room temperature. This allows for easy mixing and neat shaping.
- Mix the Filling:
- Use a hand mixer to blend softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until completely smooth and creamy, free of lumps. Chill this mixture to help it firm up for easy piping.
- Prepare Pastry Squares:
- Lightly flour your work surface and roll the puff pastry out into an eleven inch square. Cut precisely into four equal squares using a very sharp knife or pizza cutter for even baking.
- Apply Egg Wash:
- Whisk the egg with a splash of water until well combined. Brush a light coat over each pastry square to help seal edges and develop golden shine during baking.
- Bake the Turnovers:
- Fold each pastry square into a triangle gently without sealing the edges fully. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush additional egg wash on top to enhance browning. Bake for eighteen minutes until golden and puffed.
- Fill the Pastries:
- Once cooled, carefully cut open the pastries along the fold line using a serrated knife. Pipe a generous layer of the cream cheese filling inside using a piping bag or a plastic bag with the tip cut off.
- Add Fresh Strawberries:
- Spoon diced fresh strawberries on top of the cream cheese filling to add a bright, juicy contrast that cuts through the richness.
- Finish with Powdered Sugar:
- Dust the tops lightly with powdered sugar through a fine mesh strainer. Serve immediately for the best texture and visual appeal.
The combination of fresh strawberries and creamy cheese evokes my childhood memories of summer afternoons picking berries on my grandparents’ porch. Baking these always takes me back to those sweet, carefree moments.
Storage Tips
Store any leftover turnovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Keep in mind the pastry softens with time. To bring back some of the flakiness, warm gently in a toaster oven or conventional oven at low heat rather than a microwave. Because of the delicate filling, freezing after baking is not recommended since thawing can make the filling watery or weepy.
Ingredient Substitutions
Mascarpone cheese can be substituted for cream cheese for a milder, silkier filling. Swap strawberries with other ripe seasonal berries like blueberries or blackberries for variety. If you only have granulated sugar available, blitz it in a blender or spice grinder until powdery to mimic powdered sugar.
Serving Suggestions
Pairs wonderfully with brunch staples such as scrambled eggs and fresh fruit salad. A dollop of whipped cream or drizzles of melted chocolate elevate these turnovers to a special treat. Enjoy with a strong cup of coffee or black tea to complement the sweet and tangy flavors.
Serve these turnovers warm or at room temperature for the best contrast of flaky pastry and cool filling. They make an easy, impressive dessert for any gathering.
Common Recipe Questions
- → What pastry works best for these turnovers?
Frozen puff pastry thawed fully is ideal, providing a flaky and buttery texture that contrasts well with the creamy filling.
- → Can I prepare the filling ahead of time?
Yes, the cream cheese mixture can be made a day in advance and refrigerated to meld flavors and simplify assembly.
- → How to prevent turnovers from leaking during baking?
Avoid sealing the turnovers completely; leaving a small opening lets steam escape and keeps the pastry crisp.
- → How should strawberries be cut for the filling?
Remove stems and dice into small, uniform pieces for even distribution and a pleasant bite inside each turnover.
- → Is there an alternative to egg wash for brushing?
Egg wash gives the best shine and golden color, but melted butter can be used as a substitute for added richness.