Strawberry Puff Pastry Braid
I’ve made hundreds of cheesecake and pastry recipes and one thing I’ve learned is that puff pastry can make any dessert look and taste bakery-worthy with very little effort. This Strawberry Puff Pastry is a perfect example: buttery, flaky pastry braided around a sweet cream cheese filling and fresh strawberries, finished with a drizzle of glaze. It’s a recipe that looks impressive enough for a party but is simple enough to make on a weeknight.
What makes this the best Strawberry Puff Pastry? It comes down to three things: the creamy, tangy cream cheese filling that balances the sweet strawberries, the braiding technique that makes the pastry look elegant, and the finishing touches of coarse sugar for crunch and a sweet glaze on top. This is a recipe you’ll come back to again and again, whether you’re baking for a holiday brunch, summer gathering, or just to enjoy with your morning coffee.
- 2 sheets store-bought puff pastry or homemade puff pastry dough
- 8 oz. cream cheese softened 226 grams
- ¼ cup granulated sugar 50 grams
- 1 large yolk
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 cup sliced strawberries
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup coarse sugar
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- 2 to 4 tbsp of milk