Description
Romantic strawberry puff pastry hearts showcase sweet French pastry techniques with flaky layers and fresh berries. Delicate heart-shaped treats offer elegant dessert perfection for special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
- ¼ cup (60 ml/2 fl oz) strawberry preserves or jam
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml/0.5 fl oz) granulated sugar (optional, for sprinkling)
- powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375F (190C) with rack centered. Line baking sheet with parchment paper for seamless pastry release.
- Pastry Shaping: Flour work surface and unfurl puff pastry. Roll smooth, eliminating creases. Use heart-shaped cutter to create precise, matching pastry pairs with clean edges.
- Filling and Assembly: Position first batch of heart pastries on sheet. Spread strawberry preserves centrally, maintaining narrow border. Brush pastry edges with beaten egg to ensure cohesive sealing.
- Sealing and Decorating: Layer matching pastry hearts atop filled bases. Crimp edges using fork tines for secure closure. Generously paint surface with beaten egg and sprinkle granulated sugar for caramelized crunch.
- Baking Process: Slide sheet into preheated oven. Bake 15-18 minutes until pastries transform into golden, puffy delicacies with crisp, flaky texture.
- Finishing Touch: Allow pastries to rest briefly on baking sheet. Dust with powdered sugar for elegant presentation. Serve warm or at ambient temperature as sophisticated dessert bites.
Notes
- Optimize Pastry Texture: Roll puff pastry gently and evenly to ensure consistent rising and flaky layers. Uneven thickness can cause irregular baking and uneven puffing.
- Prevent Filling Leakage: Leave a small border around strawberry preserves when spreading to avoid spillage during baking. Overfilling can cause filling to seep out and burn.
- Egg Wash Technique: Use a light, even brush of beaten egg for a glossy, golden-brown finish. Apply sparingly to prevent soggy edges and ensure crisp, shiny pastry surface.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute traditional puff pastry with gluten-free alternatives made from almond or rice flour. Check package instructions for temperature and baking time adjustments to maintain authentic pastry texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg