Hello, welcome to Djalali Cooks. Today, we have a sweet puff pastry treat. Fresh strawberry compote and goat cheese fill squares of puff pastry, baked to golden brown and finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and fresh basil. Tangy, mild goat cheese goes so well with fruits and sweet jams – this is a perfect flavor combination for a Spring treat. You can easily double the recipe to serve these Strawberry and Goat Cheese Danishes as part of a holiday brunch; or make them a little smaller for a great appetizer. Let’s get right to it!
Strawberry Compote
To begin, we will make an easy strawberry compote. We have one pound of strawberries; washed, stemmed and quartered; the juice of half a lemon, the zest of one lemon and three tablespoons of sugar.
Combine these 4 ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally and cook the strawberries for about 15 minutes, until they have broken down a bit and the sauce has thickened.
Pour the strawberry compote into a heat-safe bowl to cool. Defrosting the puff pastry takes about 40 minutes, so we still have about 20 minutes left to go for that. So let’s preheat the oven to 400 degrees F, whisk the egg and water for the egg wash and prep your work space. I like to roll out the pastry dough on the sheet of parchment it will bake on, then slide the parchment and pastry squares onto a sheet tray for assembly. It’s easier than transferring the filled pastries.
Puff Pastry
I only want to make 4 danishes, so I am just using one sheet of puff pastry dough. Like I mentioned at the top, you can double the compote and pastry sheets to make 8. You can also cut each pastry sheet into 6, rather than four squares.
Once the pastry is defrosted, but still very cold, use a rolling pin to roll out the dough a little bit more and to seal any cracked parts where the pastry was folded. Then use a bench scraper to make your cuts.
Assemble the Strawberry and Goat Cheese Danishes
I have about 4 ounces of goat cheese that I have sliced/crumbled in 4 equal portions. Place the goat cheese diagonally down the center of each pastry square.
Next, spoon the strawberry compote on top of the goat cheese. Divide the compote evenly amongst the four pastries.
Once you have the pastries filled, it’s time to fold. Fold one side over the center. Brush that folded side with egg wash.
Then fold the other side over the egg-washed side. Do that folding for all the pastries. Then brush egg wash over the tops, sides and the exposed center bits of pastry.
Time to Bake!
Pop the pastries in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and golden. When they come out of the oven, use a spatula to carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool.
Once cool, drizzle balsamic glaze over each pastry.
Transfer the pastries to a serving dish and top with a few basil leaves.
And that’s it! All in all these little Strawberry and Goat Cheese Danishes are quick and easy. They aren’t too sweet and have that wonderful tangy goat cheese. They are a great way to enjoy Spring strawberries! I have another simple sweet danish recipe, if you want something a little tropical, try Tropical Mango Danishes.
Thank you all for stopping by today, take care and be well! xo Kelly
Baking Essentials Used in Today’s Recipe
Click on the image to be directed tot he recommended product.
Rabbit Citrus Juicer
Microplane Zester
Duralex Glass Bowls, Set of 10
OXO Silicone Basting Brush
Nordic Ware Sheet Pans – Set of 3
Straight Rolling Pin
Stainless Steel Bench/Pastry Scraper
Carbon Steel Nonstick Cooling Rack
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Strawberry and Goat Cheese Danishes
Simple strawberry compote and tangy goat cheese fill these Strawberry and Goat Cheese Danishes; finished with balsamic glaze and fresh basil.
Ingredients
- Strawberry Compote
- 1 lb. Strawberries, washed, stemmed and quartered
- Zest of 1 Lemon
- Juice of Half a Lemon
- 3 tbsp. Sugar
- Strawberry and Goat Cheese Danishes
- 1 Sheet Puff Pastry Dough, defrosted
- 4 oz. Plain Goat Cheese
- Strawberry Compote
- 1 Large Egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- Balsamic Glaze
- Fresh Basil
Instructions
Strawberry Compote
Combine ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally and cook the strawberries for about 15 minutes, until they have broken down a bit and the sauce has thickened. Pour the strawberry compote into a heat-safe bowl to cool.
Strawberry and Goat Cheese Danishes
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Once the pastry is defrosted, but still very cold, place the dough on a sheet of parchment. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough a little bit more and to seal any cracked parts where the pastry was folded.
Then use a bench scraper to make your cuts. Once you make your cuts, slide the parchment (with the pastry squares) onto a sheet tray.
Assemble the danishes on the now parchment-lined sheet tray: Place the goat cheese diagonally down the center of each pastry square.
Spoon the strawberry compote on top of the goat cheese. Divide the compote evenly amongst the four pastries.
Once you have the pastries filled, it's time to fold. Fold one side over the center. Brush that folded side with egg wash.
Then fold the other side over the egg-washed side. Do that folding for all the pastries. Then brush egg wash over the tops, sides and the exposed center bits of pastry.
Bake for about 20 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and golden.
When they come out of the oven, use a spatula to carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool.
Once cool, drizzle balsamic glaze over each pastry.
Transfer the pastries to a serving dish and top with a few basil leaves.
Rebecca
April 7, 2022 at 8:05 amThis looks delicious and easy enough for me to do!
Kelly Djalali
April 7, 2022 at 9:35 amHi Rebecca, good to hear from you! These are super easy and delicious. We would love to get together with you and Beth sometime soon – we miss seeing you! Talk soon, xo Kelly
Terry
April 7, 2022 at 10:51 amThese look really good for an Easter brunch. What would a sub be for goat cheese? I would make half and half for people you don’t like goat cheese. Have a great Thursday ?❤️ Mom
Kelly Djalali
April 7, 2022 at 11:28 amHi Mom, They would be great for Easter Brunch. You could use cream cheese instead of goat cheese, if you like. Let me know how they go over with the family. xo Kelly