Description
Delightful and elegant Strawberry Puff Pastry Hearts are perfect for a special occasion or a sweet treat. Flaky puff pastry hearts are baked to golden perfection, filled with luscious homemade whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and finished with a drizzle of rich chocolate for a beautiful and delicious dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry and Toppings
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Optional: Sugar for sprinkling on pastry edges
Whipped Cream Filling
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream or whipped topping
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (if whipping your own cream)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnish
- Fresh strawberries, halved
- Chocolate syrup or melted chocolate for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cut Puff Pastry Hearts: Roll out the puff pastry sheet slightly to smooth and even thickness, then use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes from the pastry.
- Create Heart Borders: On half of the hearts, cut smaller hearts inside them to make a decorative border that can be layered on top of the full hearts.
- Assemble Pastries: Place the full heart shapes on the prepared baking sheet, brush each with egg wash to enhance browning, then carefully layer the bordered heart shapes on top of them.
- Final Egg Wash and Sugar Sprinkle: Brush the top layer of pastry hearts again with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar if desired for a sparkling finish and a crunchy texture.
- Bake Pastries: Bake the assembled pastries in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until they are golden brown and puffed up. Remove and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare Whipped Cream: While pastries cool, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, or use pre-made whipped topping as an alternative.
- Fill and Garnish Pastries: Once the puff pastry hearts are cooled, fill the centers with the whipped cream, top with fresh halved strawberries, and finish with a drizzle of chocolate syrup or melted chocolate for a decadent touch.
Notes
- Make sure the puff pastry is well chilled before working with it for easier handling and better puff.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and presentation.
- Egg wash is key for achieving a golden, shiny crust.
- You can substitute fresh whipped cream with store-bought whipped topping if preferred.
- Allow pastries to cool completely before filling to prevent melting the whipped cream.
