If you are craving a delightfully charming treat that combines flaky textures with a burst of fruity sweetness and creamy indulgence, then this Cheese and Strawberry Heart Pastries Recipe is exactly what you need. Bursting with the fresh juiciness of strawberries and the smooth richness of cream cheese, all wrapped in golden puff pastry shaped lovingly like hearts, these pastries are perfect for any occasion where you want to impress or simply treat yourself with something special. Every bite offers a playful balance of flavors and textures that are sure to spark joy and bring a smile to your face.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things delightfully simple with ingredients that come together beautifully to create a stunning dessert. Each component plays a crucial role, from the flaky puff pastry providing that irresistible crunch to the luscious cream cheese filling complemented by the vibrant strawberries for color and flavor.
- Puff pastry sheet (8.6 oz): The essential base that puffs up golden and flaky in the oven, giving you that perfect pastry structure.
- Cream cheese (2 oz, softened): Adds a creamy, tangy richness that perfectly balances the sweetness of the fruit.
- Strawberry jam (1 1/2 Tbsp): Enhances the strawberry flavor with a sweet and slightly tart depth.
- Red food coloring or beet powder (1 drop, optional): Just a hint to bring a cheerful pinkish hue to the cream cheese mixture.
- Very small diced strawberries (2/3 cup): Fresh and juicy, they add that delightful texture and authentic fruitiness to the pastries.
- Egg (1 large, whisked with 1 Tbsp water): A simple egg wash that guarantees your pastries bake to golden perfection with a glossy finish.
- Powdered sugar (for dusting): The final sweet touch that elevates the presentation and adds a gentle sweetness.
How to Make Cheese and Strawberry Heart Pastries Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Thaw Pastry
Start by thawing your puff pastry sheet according to the package directions. While it’s thawing, go ahead and preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This timing ensures your oven is nicely heated so that the pastries bake evenly into that perfect golden color.
Step 2: Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture
In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, strawberry jam, and if you’re using it, a drop of red food coloring or beet powder for that charming pink tint. Smooth it out with a rubber spatula, pressing firmly against the bowl’s sides to remove every lump. Once smooth, chill the mixture either in the fridge or flash chill in the freezer until you’re ready to use it—this keeps it firm, so it won’t run when added to the pastries.
Step 3: Cut Pastry Shapes
Roll out your then-thawed puff pastry on a clean surface, and use a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many hearts as possible. Keep them close together to get the most from your sheet, because every heart counts in this adorable recipe.
Step 4: Prepare Baking Sheet
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Space out the heart-shaped puff pastry cutouts about 1 1/2 inches apart so they have room to expand and puff up while baking.
Step 5: Score Hearts
With a sharp paring knife, gently score a smaller heart inside each dough heart, about 1/3-inch from the edge. Be very careful not to cut all the way through; this border will cradle the filling and prevent any spillover during baking.
Step 6: Fill Pastries
Spoon about a teaspoon of the chilled cream cheese mixture into the center of each scored heart. Spread it lightly towards the edges, but keep the 1/3-inch border free so that it can puff and bake beautifully. Next, evenly sprinkle the very small diced strawberries on top of the cream cheese to add bursts of fresh flavor.
Step 7: Brush Edges
Brush the exposed pastry border with the egg and water wash. This important step provides a shiny, golden finish that makes each pastry look as good as it tastes.
Step 8: Bake Pastries
Pop your tray into the oven and bake for 14 to 15 minutes, until the edges of the hearts are a beautiful golden brown and puffed up with a delicate flakiness that will make your kitchen smell heavenly.
Step 9: Cool and Serve
Remove the pastries from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool. A light dusting of powdered sugar adds the perfect finishing touch for a lovely presentation. It’s best to enjoy these Cheese and Strawberry Heart Pastries Recipe treasures the same day they’re made for that unbeatable freshness.
How to Serve Cheese and Strawberry Heart Pastries Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your pastries with a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh mint or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate for an extra burst of flavor and color contrast. These little details not only make the dish pop visually but also add layers of complementary taste.
Side Dishes
Pair your Cheese and Strawberry Heart Pastries Recipe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a refreshing balance, a simple mixed green salad with a citrus vinaigrette adds a lovely crunchy contrast to the rich pastries.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these pastries on a rustic wooden board lined with parchment paper, garnished with fresh strawberry slices and edible flowers to make them feel extra special. You could also stack smaller hearts on top of larger ones for a charming layered effect that’s perfect for brunch or afternoon tea.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover pastries can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours. Beyond that, they start to lose their crispness, so it’s best to enjoy them fresh when possible.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked heart-shaped puff pastry hearts separately on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, thaw them completely before adding the filling and proceeding with the recipe as usual.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 to 7 minutes to bring back their flaky crispness. Avoid using the microwave as it tends to make puff pastry soggy instead of deliciously crunchy.
FAQs
Can I use frozen puff pastry for this recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen puff pastry works perfectly here as long as you thaw it fully before cutting and filling. Follow the package thawing instructions to achieve the best texture and rise.
What if I don’t have a heart-shaped cutter?
No worries! Any cookie cutter shape will do, or you can carefully cut shapes with a sharp knife. The heart shape adds charm, but the flavors are what truly make these pastries special.
Can I substitute cream cheese with another cheese?
Cream cheese provides the perfect creamy texture and slight tang, but you could try mascarpone for a richer, milkier taste. Avoid hard cheeses since they won’t blend and bake the same way.
How fresh should the strawberries be?
For the Cheese and Strawberry Heart Pastries Recipe, fresh, ripe strawberries work best. They offer sweetness and juiciness that frozen or overly firm strawberries can’t match.
Is the red food coloring necessary?
The red food coloring or beet powder is totally optional. It’s mainly for adding a lovely pink hue to the cream cheese mixture if you want your pastries to look extra festive.
Final Thoughts
Making these Cheese and Strawberry Heart Pastries Recipe at home is pure joy from start to finish. They are charming, delicious, and versatile enough to serve any time you crave a treat that looks as delightful as it tastes. Give them a try and watch how quickly they become a beloved favorite in your recipe collection.
Print
Cheese and Strawberry Heart Pastries Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 9 pastries
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these charming Cheese and Strawberry Heart Pastries, perfect for a sweet breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Flaky puff pastry hearts are filled with a smooth blend of cream cheese and strawberry jam, topped with fresh diced strawberries, then baked to golden perfection and dusted with powdered sugar for an irresistible finish.
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 the thawing process, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure 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 bottom and sides of the bowl to remove lumps and achieve a smooth consistency. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator or flash chill in the freezer until ready to use so it is not runny.
- Cut Pastry Shapes: Once thawed, roll out the puff pastry sheet and use a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many hearts as possible, placing the cutter close together to maximize usage.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with a silicone liner or parchment paper. Transfer the puff pastry hearts onto the sheet, leaving about 1 1/2 inches of space between each one to allow for expansion during baking.
- Score Hearts: Using a sharp paring knife, lightly score a smaller heart shape inside each pastry heart about 1/3-inch from the edge. Be careful not to cut all the way through to the bottom, creating a border that will hold the filling.
- Fill Pastries: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each heart, spreading it outward but leaving the 1/3-inch border clear. Then evenly distribute the very small diced strawberries on top of the cream cheese filling without covering the border.
- Brush Edges: Lightly brush the 1/3-inch border of each pastry with the egg and water wash to help achieve a golden, glossy finish when baked.
- Bake Pastries: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 14 to 15 minutes or until the edges of the pastries turn golden brown and puff up beautifully.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the pastries cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, dust them with powdered sugar for a sweet finishing touch. Serve these pastries the same day they are prepared for the best freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese mixture is well chilled before filling to prevent the puff pastry from becoming soggy.
- Use a sharp knife to score the pastries carefully without cutting through, to retain a border that holds the filling.
- Serve fresh on the same day for optimal texture and taste, as puff pastry can become less crisp over time.
- You can substitute fresh strawberries with other berries or fruit of your choice for variation.
- If you want a more intense red color, a drop of red food coloring can be added to the cream cheese mixture, or use natural beet powder for a natural alternative.
