Begin by thawing the puff pastry on the counter for 30-45 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll out the puff pastry on a clean surface and use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the heart shapes. Place them onto the prepared baking sheet.
Using a knife, create an indent in the center of each heart with a smaller heart shape. This will be the space for the cheese filling.
In a mixing bowl, blend together the softened cream cheese, jam, vanilla extract, and sugar (if using) until smooth. Fill each heart shape with this creamy mixture.
Brush the edges of the pastries with an egg wash or spray them with avocado oil.
Bake for 16-20 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.
Allow the danishes to cool slightly, then sprinkle them with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Store your cheese danishes in the refrigerator and enjoy them within 3-4 days for maximum freshness.