Puff Pastry Cream Cheese Hearts Recipe
Delight in these charming Puff Pastry Cream Cheese Hearts, featuring flaky puff pastry filled with a smooth cream cheese mixture and a luscious raspberry or strawberry jam center. Perfect as a sweet snack or an elegant dessert, they bake to a golden brown and can be finished with a dusting of powdered sugar for extra sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Pastry
- 1 sheet (8 oz or 225 grams) puff pastry, thawed
Filling
- 4 oz (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup raspberry or strawberry jam
Finish
- 1 egg, beaten, for the egg wash
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, blend the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Cut Pastry Hearts: Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters or a cardboard stencil to cut out heart shapes from the pastry.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the puff pastry hearts onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each one to allow for expansion during baking.
- Add Cream Cheese Filling: Spread a layer of the cream cheese mixture on each heart-shaped pastry, leaving a small border around the edges to prevent overflow.
- Add Jam: Spoon a dollop of raspberry or strawberry jam over the cream cheese on each heart. Optionally, swirl the jam gently with a toothpick or spoon to create a marbled effect.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush the edges of each pastry heart with the beaten egg to help them brown beautifully and develop a shiny finish.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the puff pastry turns a golden brown color and is fully cooked.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the hearts cool on a wire rack. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar before serving for an elegant touch.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy blending and a smooth filling.
- Use fresh puff pastry for the best flakiness, or properly thaw frozen sheets as per package instructions.
- For variation, use different fruit jams such as apricot, blueberry, or blackberry.
- To make the jam swirl more visible, use a toothpick to gently pattern after spooning the jam onto the cream cheese.
- Egg wash ensures golden color; for a dairy-free or vegan option, substitute with a plant-based milk or omit.
- Serve these hearts warm or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
