I absolutely enjoy preparing special breakfast treats for Valentine’s Day. Our mornings are usually rushed, and quite hectic, but on this day, I take the time to surprise my husband and our little one with these delicious heart-shaped danishes.
It’s become a beautiful tradition we eagerly look forward to every year. Now that my baby boy is turning 3, he’s becoming quite the baking enthusiast, and I love having him join me in the kitchen.
Additionally, on weekends, I love treating my family to some of our all-time favorites like no-bake cinnamon rolls or Nutella cruffins. Those kitchen moments are extra special for us, as they not only satisfy our taste buds but also bring us closer together, creating cherished memories that last a lifetime.
Strawberry Heart Breakfast Pastries
I’ve been using puff pastry quite frequently lately, and it’s become my go-to for making a variety of treats, both sweet and savory. Its versatility allows me to put to good use all the leftover ingredients in my fridge.
These breakfast pastries are incredibly versatile. You can fill them with apples, blueberries, or even Nutella and bananas, which happens to be a family favorite. And for that extra touch of yum, don’t forget to sprinkle some crushed Biscoff cookies on top!
Ingredients Needed
- Puff pastry: Make sure you let the puff pastry thaw properly. The easiest way is to pop it in the fridge the night before.
- Cream cheese: Leave the cream cheese out on the counter for a while to soften. It makes mixing it with the other ingredients a breeze. This recipe works best for regular cream cheese, but you can also use fat-free cream cheese.
- Strawberry jam: Go for a good-quality strawberry jam or preserve; it makes a difference in flavor. Adjust the amount to suit your sweetness preference.
- Powdered sweetener: Taste the cream cheese mixture and add more sweetener if you want it sweeter.
- Strawberries: I used fresh strawberries, but you can use frozen strawberries that you thaw first and dice into small pieces. If you want a twist, you can experiment with other berries like raspberries or blueberries.
- Egg: Beat that egg really well; it’s going to give your pastries that beautiful golden color when they bake.
How To Make These Heart Breakfast Pastries
Making heart-shaped pastries is super easy, and the most time-consuming part is patiently waiting for the puff pastry to thaw and carefully dicing the strawberries.
Thaw the Puff Pastry
Start by following the package instructions to thaw the puff pastry properly. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C).
Mixing Up the Creamy Filling
Now, let’s whip up the dreamy cream cheese filling. Take that cream cheese, add some powdered sugar, and don’t forget the strawberry jam. Mix it all together until it’s smooth and oh-so-creamy.
Shaping Hearts with Love
Grab a heart-shaped cookie cutter, about 3 inches wide (that’s roughly 7 cm). Cut out adorable heart shapes from your puff pastry sheets. Place these cuties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Here’s where the fun begins. Take a smaller heart-shaped cookie cutter and gently press it right in the middle of each of those bigger hearts. Don’t press too hard; we just want a cute impression. If you prefer, you can even use a sharp knife to create that heart shape.
Assembling
Now, it’s time to fill those hearts with all the goodness. Spoon 2 teaspoons of your creamy cream cheese mix into the center of each heart. Spread it to fill up that little heart-shaped impression.
Sprinkle some diced strawberries on top of the cream cheese layer. Keep it around the center; we want those heart edges to shine.
Grab a pastry brush and give those heart edges a little love with an egg wash.
Baking Time
Bake the prepared hearts in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the edges turn a lovely golden brown.
Allow the baked hearts to cool on a wire rack, then finish them off with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Can I Make these in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can make Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Puffs in an air fryer. Simply preheat it to 350°F (175°C), cook for 8-12 minutes until golden brown, and enjoy crispy pastries.
Can I Make Them in Advance?
Absolutely, you can make these heart-shaped strawberry pastries in advance!
Absolutely! You can prepare these heart-shaped strawberry pastries ahead of time. Assemble them as instructed in the recipe, but before baking, freeze them until they’re firm. Store them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, making sure to separate layers with parchment paper. When you’re ready to enjoy, bake them directly from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. This way, you’ll have a delicious treat on hand whenever you want it.
Where Can I Find Puff Pastry?
You can purchase puff pastry dough in the freezer section of your local grocery store. It’s typically located near the pre-made pie crusts. Be sure to check that you’re buying puff pastry and not phyllo pastry, as they are different, with phyllo being thinner and having less fat content.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Puffs
Ingredients
- 2 (17 oz) sheets puff pastry, frozen
- 6 oz cream cheese at room temperature
- 3 tbsp strawberry jam
- 2 tbsp powdered sweetener or more to taste
- 1 cup diced strawberries
- 1 large egg whisked
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Begin by thawing the puff pastry according to the instructions on the package. Then, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine the room-temperature cream cheese, powdered sugar, and strawberry jam. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Using a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter (approximately 7 cm), cut out heart shapes from the puff pastry sheets. Place these heart-shaped pieces on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Now, take a smaller heart-shaped cookie cutter and gently press it into the center of each larger heart. Apply light pressure since you only want to create an impression on the larger hearts. Alternatively, you can use a sharp knife to score the heart shape.
- Spoon approximately 2 teaspoons of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each heart, then spread it to fill the smaller heart-shaped impression.
- Place diced strawberries on top of the cream cheese layer, making sure not to cover the outer edges of the hearts.
- Using a pastry brush, apply an egg wash to the edges of the pastry hearts.
- Bake the prepared hearts in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the edges turn a lovely golden brown.
- Allow the baked hearts to cool on a wire rack, then finish them off with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Nutrition Information
The nutritional information provided on this website is intended to be a helpful reference and convenience for our users. It is offered as a courtesy and is based on data primarily sourced from the USDA Food Composition Database.
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