Easy Puff Pastry Strawberry Hearts are a delightful and incredibly simple dessert, perfect for any occasion, especially when you need a quick, impressive treat that’s remarkably budget-friendly to make at home.
Key Ingredients for Easy Puff Pastry Strawberry Hearts
- 1 sheet (about 9-10 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus more for dusting
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, but highly recommended for an extra flavor pop)
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced (about 1/2 pound)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed is best)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting (optional, for garnish)
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional)
How to Make Easy Puff Pastry Strawberry Hearts
These delightful Easy Puff Pastry Strawberry Hearts are a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly spectacular! With a preparation time of just 20 minutes and baking time of 15-20 minutes, you can whip up these charming treats in no time. The flaky, golden puff pastry encases a sweet, slightly tart strawberry filling, creating a perfect balance of textures and flavors that’s both light and satisfying. They’re especially wonderful served warm, contrasting beautifully with a dollop of cool whipped cream or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Strawberry Filling: In a medium bowl, gently combine the sliced strawberries, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, cinnamon (if using), and lemon juice. Toss everything together until the strawberries are lightly coated. Let this mixture sit for about 10 minutes while you prepare the puff pastry; this allows the strawberries to release some of their juices, creating a lovely syrupy filling.
- Roll and Cut the Puff Pastry: Lightly flour a clean work surface. Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet. If it’s too thick, you can gently roll it out a tiny bit more with a rolling pin to about 1/8-inch thickness, but be careful not to make it too thin as it will tear easily. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter (about 3-4 inches wide), cut out as many hearts as you can from the puff pastry sheet. You should get approximately 6-8 hearts depending on the size of your cutter.
- Score and Create the Edges: Take half of the cut-out hearts. These will be your bases. On each of these base hearts, use a smaller heart-shaped cutter or the tip of a sharp knife to lightly score an outline about 1/2 inch from the edge. This creates a border that will puff up and hold the filling. Be careful not to cut all the way through the pastry.
- Assemble the Hearts: Spoon the prepared strawberry filling evenly onto the scored heart bases, staying within the scored border. Don’t overfill, or the filling might leak out during baking.
- Top and Seal the Hearts: Take the remaining whole heart shapes. You can either place them directly on top of the filled bases, or for a more decorative look, cut small slits in them to allow steam to escape. Gently press the edges of the top and bottom hearts together to seal them. You can use the tines of a fork to create a decorative, sealed edge.
- Egg Wash and Sugar Dusting: Brush the tops of each assembled puff pastry heart with the beaten egg wash. This will give them a beautiful golden sheen when baked. For an extra touch of sweetness and sparkle, lightly dust the tops with granulated sugar.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Carefully transfer the prepared Easy Puff Pastry Strawberry Hearts to the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is puffed, golden brown, and the strawberry filling is bubbling slightly.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the hearts from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool slightly more. Dust with confectioners’ sugar, if desired, and serve warm.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Puff Pastry Strawberry Hearts
You’ll absolutely adore these Easy Puff Pastry Strawberry Hearts for their sheer delightful texture and vibrant, fresh flavor. The star of the show is undoubtedly the incredibly flaky and buttery puff pastry, which bakes up to a golden crispness, perfectly complementing the sweet, slightly tart strawberry filling that bursts with summery goodness. Imagine the joy of biting into that delicate pastry followed by the juicy burst of warm strawberries – it’s pure bliss, a far cry from the often-heavy pastries you might find elsewhere.
Moreover, making these Easy Puff Pastry Strawberry Hearts at home is incredibly cost-effective, saving you a significant amount compared to purchasing individual desserts from a bakery. You’re in control of the quality of ingredients, and the simplicity of the recipe means minimal waste and maximum deliciousness without breaking the bank. These little hearts are not just a treat; they’re an experience, offering a sophisticated touch without the fuss, making them your go-to for spontaneous celebrations or simply a craving for something sweet. So, why wait? Gather your ingredients and whip up a batch of these charming strawberry hearts today!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers:
To store any leftover Easy Puff Pastry Strawberry Hearts, allow them to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, place them in an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for up to 1-2 days, as long as they are kept away from direct sunlight and humidity. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep in mind that refrigeration may slightly soften the crispness of the puff pastry.
Reheating:
To best enjoy the flaky texture, it’s recommended to reheat your Easy Puff Pastry Strawberry Hearts.
- Oven Method (Recommended for crispiness): Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Place the cooled hearts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Reheat for 5-8 minutes, or until warmed through and the pastry regains some of its crispness.
- Toaster Oven Method: Similar to the oven method, place the hearts in a toaster oven and reheat at 325°F (160°C) for a few minutes until warm.
- Microwave Method (Least Recommended for texture): If you’re in a hurry, you can microwave them for 15-30 seconds, but this will likely result in a softer pastry.
Freezing:
For longer-term storage, you can freeze the baked Easy Puff Pastry Strawberry Hearts.
- Ensure the hearts are completely cooled.
- Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about 1-2 hours until solid. This prevents them from sticking together in a large clump.
- Once frozen, transfer the individual hearts to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
- To reheat from frozen, place the frozen heart directly onto a baking sheet and reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You may need to adjust the time depending on your oven.
Final Thoughts
These Easy Puff Pastry Strawberry Hearts are a simple yet stunning dessert that proves you don’t need complicated steps or expensive ingredients to create something truly delicious. They are the perfect sweet escape, offering a delightful combination of flaky pastry and tender strawberries that’s sure to impress. Give them a try for your next occasion or simply when you’re craving a homemade treat!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Easy Puff Pastry Strawberry Hearts
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup.
- In a medium bowl, gently combine the sliced strawberries, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, cinnamon (if using), and lemon juice. Toss everything together until the strawberries are lightly coated. Let this mixture sit for about 10 minutes while you prepare the puff pastry; this allows the strawberries to release some of their juices, creating a lovely syrupy filling.1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Lightly flour a clean work surface. Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet. If it’s too thick, you can gently roll it out a tiny bit more with a rolling pin to about 1/8-inch thickness, but be careful not to make it too thin as it will tear easily. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter (about 3-4 inches wide), cut out as many hearts as you can from the puff pastry sheet. You should get approximately 6-8 hearts depending on the size of your cutter.1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
- Take half of the cut-out hearts. These will be your bases. On each of these base hearts, use a smaller heart-shaped cutter or the tip of a sharp knife to lightly score an outline about 1/2 inch from the edge. This creates a border that will puff up and hold the filling. Be careful not to cut all the way through the pastry.
- Spoon the prepared strawberry filling evenly onto the scored heart bases, staying within the scored border. Don’t overfill, or the filling might leak out during baking.
- Take the remaining whole heart shapes. You can either place them directly on top of the filled bases, or for a more decorative look, cut small slits in them to allow steam to escape. Gently press the edges of the top and bottom hearts together to seal them. You can use the tines of a fork to create a decorative, sealed edge.
- Brush the tops of each assembled puff pastry heart with the beaten egg wash. This will give them a beautiful golden sheen when baked. For an extra touch of sweetness and sparkle, lightly dust the tops with granulated sugar.1 egg, beaten egg wash, 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- Carefully transfer the prepared Easy Puff Pastry Strawberry Hearts to the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is puffed, golden brown, and the strawberry filling is bubbling slightly.
- Once baked, remove the hearts from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool slightly more. Dust with confectioners’ sugar, if desired, and serve warm.confectioners’ sugar, for dusting