Easy Strawberry Jam Puff Pastry Hearts are a delightful treat that combines the simplicity of puff pastry with a luscious filling that’s hard to resist. The sweet and tangy strawberry jam, fresh strawberry pieces, and creamy richness of the cream cheese create a flavour combination that’s sure to please.
Whether hosting a gathering or simply treating yourself to something special, these heart-shaped pastries are an elegant and delicious choice.
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You’ll experience a delightful combination of textures and flavours when you bite into these puff pastry hearts. The pastry’s crisp buttery layers give way to a sweet and slightly tart burst of strawberry jam and sliced strawberries, perfectly complemented by the creamy and indulgent cream cheese filling.
Whether you’re serving the flaky puff pastry at a brunch, as a delightful dessert, or as a sweet snack to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee, Easy Strawberry Jam Puff Pastry Hearts are a versatile treat that is loved by both kids and adults. The heartwarming shape and the delectable combination of flavours make these pastries a favourite among those with a sweet tooth.
Why you will love these Strawberry Jam Puff Pastry Hearts with cream cheese?
Simple to prepare: These pastries balance simplicity and elegance perfectly. They are easy to make with simple ingredients, yet their heart shape and delicious filling make them look and taste like a fancy bakery treat.
Delicious Filling: The combination of sweet strawberry jam and creamy cream cheese creates a delightful flavour that’s hard to resist. It’s a match made in dessert heaven!
Versatility: Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or as a sweet snack, these puff pastry hearts with fresh berries are a versatile delight that can be enjoyed at any time of day.
Customizable: While this recipe focuses on fresh strawberries, strawberry jam and cream cheese, you can easily customize the filling to suit your preferences. Try using different jam flavours or adding fresh fruit for a unique twist.
Ingredients needed to make Strawberry Jam Puff Pastry Hearts
How to make Strawberry Jam Puff Pastry Hearts
If using frozen, store-bought puff pastry sheets, thaw them at room temperature according to package instructions.
Mix the softened cream cheese, vanilla extract, powdered sugar/icing sugar and strawberry jam in a small bowl until well combined.
Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured work surface to about ¼ inch thickness.
Cut out as many hearts as possible from the puff pastry sheet using a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure you place them an inch apart from each other.
Using a sharp knife, lightly score a heart inside each cut-out heart without cutting through the bottom of the dough. Instead of using a knife, you can use a smaller size heart cookie cutter in its place. Make sure you place the cookie cutter to make a heart mark. Do not cut the dough.
Spoon a teaspoon of the cream cheese and jam mixture onto the smaller heart/center of each puff pastry heart, leaving a border around the edges.
Add a few pieces of sliced strawberries on top of the cream cheese strawberry mixture.
Brush the edges of each pastry heart with the beaten egg or melted butter.
Repeat these steps with the entire batch of dough.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Bake in the oven for 12-14 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
Allow the pastry hearts to cool slightly before serving. Optionally, dust with fine sugar or granulated sugar before serving.
Enjoy your delicious strawberry jam cream cheese puff pastry hearts!
Tips and Suggestions
Thawing Puff Pastry: When working with puff pastry dough, ensure it is properly thawed according to the package instructions. This will help prevent cracking and ensure the pastry is easy to work with when cutting out the heart shapes.
Egg Wash: Applying the beaten egg to the tops of the pastries before baking adds a beautiful golden sheen to the finished product. This simple step enhances the visual appeal of the pastries, making them look even more inviting. Use melted butter in place of egg wash to make this recipe vegetarian.
Adjusting Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter or less sweet filling, adjust the powdered sugar in the cream cheese mixture to suit your taste. Similarly, you can adjust the amount of powdered sugar used for dusting at the end of the baking process.
Cream Cheese Mixture: Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy mixing and spreading.
Fruit Variations: Feel free to experiment with different types of fruit jams to create a variety of flavours. Raspberry jam, blueberry, mango or apricot jams can be delightful alternatives.
Presentation: Drizzle the cooled pastries with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a little milk for an extra touch of elegance.
Serving Suggestions
Brunch: Serve this easy dessert alongside fresh fruits, yogurt, and a side of crispy bacon for a delightful brunch spread.
Dessert: Pair these puff pastry hearts with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a satisfying dessert.
Afternoon Tea: These pastries make a delightful addition to an afternoon tea spread, complementing a selection of sandwiches and a pot of tea.
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely! Homemade jam adds a special touch to these puff pastry hearts. Just ensure that your homemade jam has a spreadable consistency.
Yes, you can assemble the puff pastry hearts ahead of time and refrigerate them for up to a day before baking.
While these pastries are best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze any leftovers in an airtight container. To reheat, place the fruity dessert in a preheated oven for a few minutes until warm.
If you prefer to omit cream cheese or are looking for a dairy-free alternative, you can increase the amount of jam used in the filling. The sweet and fruity flavour of the jam will still create a delightful filling for the puff pastry hearts, providing a different but equally enjoyable taste experience.
You can bake them in shapes other than hearts. Or you can roll out the puff pastry sheet, fill the middle portion with the cream cheese filling and bake as it is.
Other recipes you may like
Strawberry Nutella Puff Pastry
Strawberry White Chocolate Muffins
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Recipe Card
Easy Strawberry Jam Puff Pastry Hearts
Ingredients
- 2 Puff Pastry Sheets thawed to room temperature
- 4 oz Cream Cheese (115 grams) , softened
- ¼ cup Strawberry Jam
- ¼ cup Diced Strawberries
- 2 tablespoon Powdered Sugar/Icing Sugar
- 1 Egg beaten, for egg wash (optional)
- Fine Sugar/Granulated Sugar for dusting
Instructions
- If using frozen, store-bought puff pastry sheets, thaw them at room temperature according to package instructions.
- Mix the softened cream cheese, vanilla extract, powdered sugar/icing sugar and strawberry jam in a small bowl until well combined.
- Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured work surface to about ¼ inch thickness.
- Cut out as many hearts as possible from the puff pastry sheet using a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure you place them an inch apart from each other.
- Using a sharp knife, lightly score a heart inside each cut-out heart without cutting through the bottom of the dough. Instead of using a knife, you can use a smaller size heart cookie cutter in its place. Make sure you place the cookie cutter to make a heart mark. Do not cut the dough.
- Spoon a teaspoon of the cream cheese and jam mixture onto the smaller heart/center of each puff pastry heart, leaving a border around the edges.
- Add a few pieces of sliced strawberries on top of the cream cheese strawberry mixture.
- Brush the edges of each pastry heart with the beaten egg. If you want to avoid eggs, use melted butter instead.
- Repeat these steps with the entire batch of dough.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Bake in the oven for 12-14 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Allow the pastry hearts to cool slightly before serving. Optionally, dust with fine sugar or granulated sugar before serving.