If you’re anything like me, you’ll fall head over heels for this Cheese and Strawberry Heart Pastries Recipe. Imagine flaky puff pastry hearts filled with luscious cream cheese and vibrant strawberry jam, topped with juicy diced strawberries and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. It’s a charming dessert or sweet breakfast treat that feels both fancy and totally approachable. The combination of creamy, fruity, and buttery flavors wrapped in a golden puff pastry is pure magic, perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying all by yourself with a cup of tea.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple yet essential, each bringing a delightful texture, a burst of fruity freshness, or a flaky golden finish that makes this recipe shine.
- Puff pastry sheet (8.6 oz): The flakiest base you can ask for, providing that light, buttery crunch.
- Cream cheese (2 oz, softened): Offers a smooth, tangy creaminess that balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Strawberry jam (1 1/2 Tbsp): Adds fruity sweetness and helps the filling stay moist and cohesive.
- Red food coloring or beet powder (1 drop, optional): Just a touch to make that cream cheese mixture pop with a pretty pink hue.
- Very small diced strawberries (2/3 cup): Fresh bursts of flavor and texture atop the creamy filling.
- Large egg plus 1 Tbsp water (whisked): Creates that gorgeous golden gloss around the edges when baked.
- Powdered sugar: A sweet dusting to finish, making the pastries look as good as they taste.
How to Make Cheese and Strawberry Heart Pastries Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Thaw Puff Pastry
Begin by thawing your puff pastry sheet according to the package’s directions, a crucial step to ensure it bakes up perfectly flaky. Halfway through thawing, get your oven preheated to 400°F (200°C) so it’s ready to work its magic right when the pastries hit the tray.
Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, strawberry jam, and if you want that lovely pink tint, add a drop of red food coloring or some beet powder. Use a rubber spatula to smooth out any lumps for a silky texture. Pop the mixture into the fridge or freezer briefly so it’s firm and not runny when you assemble.
Step 3: Cut Out Heart Shapes
Once your puff pastry is thawed, roll it out gently on a clean surface and use a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many hearts as you can, placing them closely together. This is where the fun really starts—the cutout shapes already look so inviting, don’t they?
Step 4: Prepare Baking Sheet and Score Hearts
Line a baking sheet with a silicone liner or parchment paper to prevent sticking. Transfer your hearts onto the sheet with about 1 1/2 inches between each so they have room to puff. Using a sharp paring knife, lightly score a smaller heart within each cutout, about 1/3-inch from the edges—just don’t cut through it—to create a charming border that holds all the filling in place.
Step 5: Fill the Pastries
Spoon about a teaspoon of your chilled cream cheese mixture into the center of each heart, gently spreading it close to the score line but leaving the border intact. Then sprinkle the tiny diced strawberries evenly on top—this adds a fresh, juicy pop that everyone will love.
Step 6: Brush the Edges with Egg Wash
Lightly brush the border edges of each pastry with your whisked egg and water mixture. This step is key for that irresistible golden brown sheen when baking—your pastries will look so professional and inviting.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 14 to 15 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to puff and turn a gorgeous golden brown, signaling that your pastries are perfectly baked and ready to enjoy.
Step 8: Cool and Dust with Powdered Sugar
Remove the pastries from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, give them a light dusting of powdered sugar for that delicate touch of sweetness and beautiful presentation. Trust me, the first bite will be absolutely worth the wait.
How to Serve Cheese and Strawberry Heart Pastries Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra flourish, try adding a fresh mint leaf on top or a gentle drizzle of melted dark chocolate. These additions not only enhance the flavor but also make the pastries look like they belong on a café menu.
Side Dishes
These heart pastries shine on their own, but pairing them with a bowl of whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream turns them into a decadent dessert. On the lighter side, fresh fruit salad or a simple berry compote works beautifully for breakfast or brunch.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider arranging the pastries on a rustic wooden board scattered with whole strawberries for a festive display. You can also serve them on delicate china plates with a dusting of edible flowers for weddings, Valentine’s Day, or any special gathering.
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. After that, the puff pastry can start to lose its crispness, so best to enjoy them fresh.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked, filled pastries by placing them on a baking sheet until firm, then transferring them to a freezer-safe container for up to one month. When ready to bake, thaw in the fridge and bake fresh for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the pastries in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5 to 7 minutes. This revives the crispiness wonderfully without drying out the filling. Avoid microwaving as it can make the pastry soggy.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of jam in the filling?
Fresh strawberries are wonderful on top but using jam in the filling gives a concentrated sweetness and helps hold the cream cheese together. You could try reducing fresh strawberries into a quick jam if you’re feeling adventurous.
Is there a substitute for cream cheese in this recipe?
Mascarpone or ricotta cheese can be used as alternatives, though cream cheese provides the ideal tangy creaminess that balances the sweet strawberries perfectly.
Can these pastries be made vegan?
Yes! Use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative and ensure your puff pastry is vegan-friendly. You can replace the egg wash with plant-based milk or a syrup wash for browning.
Do I have to use the heart shape cutter specifically?
Not at all! You can use any cookie cutter shape you like—stars, circles, or squares would work just as well. The heart shape adds a charming touch for occasions like Valentine’s Day.
What’s the best way to prevent the pastries from getting soggy?
Ensuring the cream cheese filling is chilled and not too runny helps immensely. Also, scoring the hearts properly and keeping the border free of filling stops leakage and sogginess during baking.
Final Thoughts
This Cheese and Strawberry Heart Pastries Recipe quickly became one of my absolute favorites because it feels special yet is so easy to make. Whether for a romantic breakfast, a sweet snack, or a beautiful dessert centerpiece, these pastries bring a smile to every occasion. Give this recipe a go and watch how its flaky, creamy, and fruity goodness wins over everyone at your table.
Print
Cheese and Strawberry Heart Pastries Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cheese and Strawberry Heart Pastries are delightful puff pastry treats perfect for special occasions or a sweet snack. Featuring a creamy strawberry-flavored cream cheese filling topped with fresh diced strawberries, and baked until golden and flaky, they are as visually charming as they are delicious. Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar, these pastries offer a perfect balance of creamy, fruity, and buttery flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry
- 1 (8.6 oz) sheet puff pastry
Filling
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 Tbsp strawberry jam
- 1 drop red food coloring (or beet powder), optional
- 2/3 cup very small diced strawberries
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg, whisked with 1 Tbsp water
Finishing
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat and Thaw Pastry: Start by thawing the puff pastry sheet according to the package instructions. Halfway through thawing, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it reaches the perfect baking temperature.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, strawberry jam, and optional red food coloring. Use a rubber spatula to press the mixture against the bowl’s sides and bottom to remove lumps and create a smooth consistency. Chill this mixture in the refrigerator or flash chill in the freezer to prevent it from becoming runny.
- Cut Pastry Shapes: Once thawed, roll out the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Use a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many hearts as possible, placing the cutter close together to maximize the dough.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with a silicone liner or parchment paper. Transfer the puff pastry hearts to the sheet, spacing them about 1 1/2 inches apart to allow room for puffing.
- Score Hearts: Using a sharp paring knife, lightly score a smaller heart shape inside each pastry heart about 1/3-inch from the edges, being careful not to cut all the way through, creating a raised border to hold the filling.
- Fill Pastries: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each heart. Spread it gently toward the edges but leave the border clear. Then evenly top with very small diced strawberries, avoiding the pastry edges.
- Brush Edges: Lightly brush the 1/3-inch border of each pastry heart with the egg and water wash to promote a golden, glossy finish when baked.
- Bake Pastries: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 14 to 15 minutes, until the edges of the pastries turn golden brown and puff up beautifully.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the pastries cool on a wire rack. Once cool, dust them with powdered sugar for a sweet finishing touch. Serve the pastries the same day for the best freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Chilling the cream cheese mixture helps prevent it from becoming runny when baking.
- Be careful not to cut through the puff pastry while scoring to maintain the border’s integrity.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries finely diced for the best texture and flavor.
- Store leftover pastries in an airtight container and consume within 1 day as puff pastry loses crispness over time.
- Red food coloring is optional and can be substituted with natural beet powder for color.
