From the warmth of my kitchen, I'm excited to share with you one of my favorite recipes: Puff Pastry Hearts Recipe with Cream Cheese and Jam. These delightful treats have become a staple in my baking repertoire, especially around special occasions like Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. They are an easy weekend treat, perfect for those who love a combination of buttery puff pastry, sweet cream cheese filling, and a touch of fruity jam.
What are the Puff Pastry Hearts Key Ingredients?
- Puff Pastry Base: Essential for achieving a delicate, buttery, and flaky texture. Opt for convenience with store-bought pastry sheets varieties or create a more artisanal experience with homemade puff pastry dough.
- Cream Cheese Filling: Room-temperature cream cheese seamlessly integrates with granulated sugar and vanilla extract, forming a luxuriously creamy and enticing core.
- Jam Selection: The recipe's adaptability allows for the use of raspberry or strawberry jam, catering to diverse palates. Incorporating fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries enhances the natural fruit essence.
- Egg Wash Application: A crucial step for imparting a rich, golden-brown finish to the pastry, contributing both to the aesthetics and taste.
- Optional Powdered Sugar: A final flourish of powdered sugar can be added over the heart shape to elevate the dessert's sweetness and visual appeal.
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Puff Pastry Cream Cheese Hearts
Serves: 8
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet puff pastry (about 8 oz or 225 grams), room temperature
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup raspberry jam or strawberry jam
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Blend softened cream cheese with sugar and vanilla extract in a large bowl until smooth.
Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured work surface. Cut out heart shapes using heart cookie cutter or a homemade stencil.
Arrange the hearts on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring enough room between them.
Spread the cream cheese mixture on each heart, leaving a border.
Add a dollop of jam to each heart, swirling for a marbled effect if desired.
Brush the pastry edges with beaten egg for a golden finish.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
Cool on a wire rack and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Tips for the Perfect Puff Pastry Hearts
- Temperature Matters: Ensure your puff pastry is thawed but still cold. If it warms up too much, it becomes difficult to handle.
- Even Filling: When spreading the cream cheese, maintain a consistent thickness. Too much filling can cause the pastry to become soggy.
- Jam Selection: Use good quality jam for the best flavor. If it's too thick, gently warm it in a small saucepan to make it more spreadable.
- Egg Wash Technique: Use a pastry brush to apply the egg wash lightly. This gives a professional-looking finish to your puff pastry hearts.
- Watching the Oven: Oven temperatures can vary. Start checking your pastries around the 10-minute mark to prevent over-browning.
Conclusion
These puff pastry hearts are more than just a delicious dessert; they're a way to express love and care. Whether it's for a special day of the year or just as a simple treat, these pastries are sure to win hearts. The combination of buttery puff pastry, creamy filling, and sweet jam creates a harmony of flavors that are perfect for any occasion. You will love this easy recipe!
Puff Pastry Cream Cheese Hearts
Delight in these easy-to-make Puff Pastry Hearts, a perfect blend of flaky pastry, rich cream cheese, and sweet jam. Ideal for Valentine's Day or as a charming treat for any occasion, they're sure to impress with their elegant heart shape and delectable taste. Follow this simple recipe for a quick, delightful dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet (about 8 oz or 225 grams) puff pastry, thawed
- 4 oz (or about 113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup raspberry or strawberry jam
- 1 egg, beaten, for the egg wash
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium mixing bowl, blend the softened cream cheese with the sugar and vanilla extract, until smooth.
Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Using heart-shaped cookie cutters, cut out heart shapes. Alternatively make a stencil out of cardboard and use that to cut out the hearts.
Place the cut-out hearts onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each heart.
Spread a layer of the cream cheese mixture onto each heart-shaped pastry, leaving a small border around the edges.
Spoon a dollop of raspberry or strawberry jam on top of the cream cheese filling on each pastry heart. Optionally swirl the jam with a toothpick or the back of a spoon to create a marble effect.
Brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg for a golden finish.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes or until the pastry turns golden brown.
Once baked, remove from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
Optionally, dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Temperature Matters: Ensure your puff pastry is thawed but still cold. If it warms up too much, it becomes difficult to handle.
Even Filling: When spreading the cream cheese, maintain a consistent thickness. Too much filling can cause the pastry to become soggy.
Jam Selection: Use good quality jam for the best flavor. If it's too thick, gently warm it in a small saucepan to make it more spreadable.
Egg Wash Technique: Use a pastry brush to apply the egg wash lightly. This gives a professional-looking finish to your puff pastry hearts.
Watching the Oven: Oven temperatures can vary. Start checking your pastries around the 10-minute mark to prevent over-browning.
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like these Valentine's recipes: How to Cut a Strawberry into a Heart Step-by-Step Tutorial, Chocolate Candy Spoon with Heart, and our Valentine's hot cocoa bombs recipe.
Hi, my name is Melissa! I live in Spanish Fork, Utah. I'm happily married to Rob, and together we have five wonderful kids. Our family loves to embark on adventures, often in our RV, exploring the great outdoors. I'm an avid reader and a big fan of Hallmark movies – they always have a way of lifting my spirits. Hiking is another passion of mine; there's nothing like the tranquility of nature. I have a sweet tooth for chocolate and a love for Mexican food, both of which make life a little more delicious. In my downtime, I enjoy playing games with my family, creating memories and sharing laughter. Life is an adventure, and I'm here to enjoy every moment of it! I'm the blogger and creative mind behind the blog A Sparkle of Genius! Check out our posts on recipes, crafts, kid stuff, printables, travel and more!