Name: Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastry Bites Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (8.6 oz) sheet puff pastry; 2 oz cream cheese, softened; 1 1/2 Tbsp strawberry jam; 1 drop red food coloring (or use beet powder), optional; 2/3 cup very small diced strawberries; 1 large egg whisked with 1 Tbsp water; Powdered sugar, for dusting

If you're in the mood for something that feels as special as it tastes, this Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastry Bites Recipe is just the thing! Flaky, buttery puff pastry filled with a creamy strawberry mixture always delights, whether for breakfast or brunch.

A heart-shaped pastry sits on a wooden board with a layer of golden, flaky crust forming the base. On top of the crust is a thick layer of smooth, pastel pink cream filling that fills the center of the heart, slightly cracked in some places. Embedded in the pink cream are small chunks of bright red strawberries, their textures juicy and detailed. Nearby, a whole fresh strawberry with green leaves adds a splash of natural color. The white marbled surface is faintly visible at the edge of the board. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastry Bites Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastry Bites Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastry Bites Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I tried making these heart-shaped pastry bites; the contrast of the crisp puff pastry with the smooth cream cheese and fresh strawberries won me over instantly!

Effortlessly Elegant: These pastries look like you spent hours perfecting them but come together quickly.
Flaky & Buttery Texture: That puff pastry really takes these bites to the next level with its buttery crisp layers.
Perfectly Balanced Sweetness: The blend of cream cheese and strawberry jam offers just the right amount of fruity sweetness without overpowering.
Great for Sharing: Their bite-sized, heart shape makes them an adorable and shareable treat for any occasion.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Shopping for these ingredients is a breeze since most you might already have on hand, but picking quality puff pastry and ripe strawberries really makes a difference. Here’s a quick lowdown on what you’ll need and why I choose these:

Flat lay of a sheet of fresh puff pastry rolled out flat, a small white ceramic bowl with smooth cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl containing vibrant red strawberry jam, a small white ceramic bowl with tiny diced fresh strawberries, one large whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl holding a drop of bright red food coloring, and a small white ceramic bowl with powdered sugar, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Puff Pastry: The star of the show for flaky, buttery layers that rise nicely in the oven—make sure it's thawed but still cold when you work with it.
Cream Cheese: Softened to a creamy texture, it provides that smooth richness that pairs beautifully with the fruity filling.
Strawberry Jam: Adds concentrated strawberry flavor and a touch of sweetness; I like using my favorite jam for that personal touch.
Red Food Coloring (optional): Just a drop amps up the lovely pink color—beet powder is a great natural alternative if you prefer.
Diced Strawberries: Fresh and very small dice ensures a juicy topping that’s easy to eat on these bite-sized treats.
Egg Wash: Whisked egg with water helps you get that irresistible golden edge on the pastry after baking.
Powdered Sugar: A light dusting right before serving adds a pretty finishing touch and just a hint of extra sweetness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of this Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastry Bites Recipe is how easily it invites your own creative touch. Whether you want to tweak the filling, swap fruits, or change the shape, these pastries are a wonderful canvas for personalization.

Variation: I love making a quick weekday breakfast version by cutting the puff pastry into rectangles instead of hearts. It’s faster to cut and perfect for stacking in a lunchbox too. For this, I boost the filling to 3 oz cream cheese, 2 ½ tablespoon strawberry jam, and 1 cup sliced strawberries to evenly cover the larger pieces.
Seasonal twist: Swap diced strawberries for fresh blueberries or raspberries to match the season — the cream cheese combo complements any berry beautifully!
Dietary adaptation: Use a dairy-free cream cheese and make sure your puff pastry is vegan-friendly to serve these to friends with dietary restrictions without missing out on flavor or flakiness.
Visual flair: Adding a drop of red food coloring (or beet powder for a natural touch) to your cream cheese filling makes the colors pop and adds a festive look — especially fun for Valentine’s Day or special brunches.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastry Bites Recipe

A white plate holds eight heart-shaped pastries arranged in a loose circle and one more partially in view at the bottom. Each pastry has a golden-brown crust with a slightly raised edge, forming one layer, filled with bright red chopped strawberries filling the center layer, which looks juicy and fresh. The strawberries are glossy and unevenly sized, sitting on a pale creamy base that adds contrast to the red fruit. A light dusting of powdered sugar tops the pastries, adding a fine white texture. Around the plate, fresh whole strawberries with green leaves are scattered on a white marbled surface, along with a spoon of powdered sugar and a rich red cloth that adds a deep color contrast. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Ready your puff pastry and oven

Start by thawing your puff pastry sheet according to the package directions, usually on the counter for about 30 minutes. Halfway through thawing, preheat your oven to 400°F. This ensures your oven reaches the perfect temperature right on time for baking, which helps the pastries puff up gloriously golden and flaky.

Step 2: Whip up the cream cheese filling

In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, strawberry jam, and a drop of red food coloring or beet powder if using. Use a rubber spatula to press and smooth the mixture against the bowl sides and bottom, making sure there are no lumps. Once perfectly smooth, pop this mix into the fridge until you're ready to fill your pastries. For an extra quick chill, place it in the freezer for a few minutes near the end of your puff pastry thaw.

Step 3: Cut and prepare your pastry hearts

Roll out the thawed puff pastry on a clean surface. Use a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to carefully cut out shapes, packing them close together on the sheet to maximize yield. Transfer these delicate hearts onto a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone mat, spacing them about 1 ½ inches apart so they have room to puff and expand without sticking.

Step 4: Score and fill your pastries

With a sharp paring knife, gently score a smaller heart inside each pastry heart, about ⅓ inch from the outer edge. Be careful not to cut all the way through the dough — this subtle border will create a charming raised edge after baking. Next, spoon about 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture into the center, spreading it evenly but stopping before you reach the scored edge so the border stays clear and golden.

Step 5: Top with fresh strawberries and egg wash

Sprinkle the very small diced strawberries evenly atop the cream cheese layer, again stopping short of the outer ⅓-inch edge. This keeps your edges neat and allows them to brown beautifully. Then, using a fingertip or pastry brush, lightly paint the exposed pastry edges with your egg wash (whisked egg and water). This little step turns the crust a gorgeous golden brown during baking.

Step 6: Bake to golden perfection

Slide your baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. Keep an eye on the pastries as they puff up and turn a lovely golden brown around the edges. This is when that buttery, flaky texture reaches its peak, and the sweet, tangy filling bubbles lightly.

Step 7: Cool, dust, and enjoy

Once baked, move the pastries to a wire rack to cool briefly. This keeps them from getting soggy on the bottom. When they are just warm, dust generously with powdered sugar to add a delicate sweetness and a pretty finishing touch. Serve these delightful Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastry Bites fresh the same day for the best flaky texture and vibrant flavor.

Top Tip

These tips will help you get the most delightful results with your Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastry Bites Recipe, ensuring that flaky texture and perfect presentation every time.

Keep Puff Pastry Cold: I’ve found that chilling the puff pastry right up until cutting helps it maintain its flaky layers instead of becoming tough or sticky.
Mixing the Filling Smoothly: Pressing the cream cheese and jam against the bowl sides with a rubber spatula until lump-free prevents any unpleasant pockets of flavor or texture.
Scoring Without Cutting Through: Lightly scoring the inner heart shape gives a beautiful border and helps the filling stay nicely confined without leaking during baking.
Avoid Overfilling: It was tempting to pile on more cream cheese and strawberries, but keeping the filling just within the scored border keeps the edges crisp and golden instead of soggy.

How to Serve Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastry Bites Recipe

The image shows six heart-shaped pieces of pastry dough placed on white parchment paper on a baking tray. Each heart-shaped dough has a layer of white cream spread on top, covering most of the center area. On top of the cream, there are small chopped strawberry pieces, bright red with some light pink and white parts, scattered evenly across each heart. The dough looks smooth and light beige, while the strawberries add a fresh, juicy contrast. The tray is on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

These pastries look lovely dusted with powdered sugar as mentioned, but you can also add a few fresh mint leaves or a light drizzle of honey or a fruit compote for an extra wow factor. A dollop of whipped cream on the side complements the creamy filling beautifully, especially for a brunch crowd.

Side Dishes

Pair your Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastry Bites with fresh fruit salads, a citrusy yogurt parfait, or some crispy bacon to balance sweetness with savory flavors. A cup of freshly brewed coffee or fruity herbal tea also elevates the breakfast or brunch experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day to keep the pastry as crisp as possible. Beyond that, the puff pastry will lose its flakiness and become chewy.

Freezing

To freeze, prepare and fill the pastries but do not bake. Place them on a lined baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to one month. When ready to bake, bake straight from frozen and add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

Reheat leftover pastries in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5–7 minutes to crisp up the pastry again. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?

You can use frozen strawberries, but make sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid excess liquid, which might make the pastry soggy.

Can I make these pastries in shapes other than hearts?

Absolutely! Feel free to use any cookie cutter shape you like or even cut rectangles for a quicker prep; just adjust filling quantities accordingly.

Is the red food coloring necessary?

No, the red food coloring is optional and mainly for a beautiful pink hue in the filling. You can omit it or substitute with beet powder for a natural alternative.

How soon should these pastries be eaten after baking?

For the best crispness and flavor, enjoy them the same day they're baked. Stored pastries tend to lose their flaky texture quickly.

Final Thoughts

These Strawberry Cream Cheese Pastry Bites Recipe are truly a little morning joy wrapped in flaky, buttery layers with a sweet, creamy filling. Baking them is rewarding and the smiles they bring make every step worth it. Whether for a special brunch or a treat-yourself morning, they’re sure to brighten the table and your day.