Description
Delightful heart-shaped pastries filled with sweet strawberry or cherry jam, baked to golden perfection and topped with a creamy, colorful frosting. Perfect for special occasions or a charming treat to share with loved ones.
Ingredients
Pastry
- 1 package refrigerated pie crust
- 1/2 cup strawberry or cherry jam
- 1 egg, white only
Frosting
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- food coloring (1 drop, red recommended)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400º Fahrenheit. Unroll the refrigerated pie crusts and smooth them out until flattened. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat baking liner to prevent sticking.
- Cut the Pastries: Cut the rolled pie crust into strips measuring approximately 3 x 4.5 inches or use heart-shaped cutters that are between 3 to 4 inches. These will form the shape of your pastries.
- Add Jam Filling: Place about 1½ tablespoons of your chosen strawberry or cherry jam in the center of half of the cut pastry shapes. These will serve as the bottom layers of your pastries. For the top layers (those without jam), poke venting holes in the center using a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Seal the Pastries: Lightly brush water around the edges of each jam-filled pastry using a pastry brush or your finger. Carefully place the top pastry pieces over the bottoms, aligning them precisely. Press your finger gently around the edges to seal, then crimp the edges with a fork for a decorative finish. Mix 1 tablespoon of egg white with 1 tablespoon of water, and brush this mixture evenly over the tops to create a glossy finish.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the pastries for about 15 minutes or until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Once baked, transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely for about 15 minutes before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: In a small bowl, mix the confectioners sugar with heavy cream until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add one drop of food coloring (red recommended) to achieve a lovely pink tint, or adjust for your preferred color.
- Frost and Serve: Drizzle or spread the colored frosting over the cooled pastries. Allow the frosting to set slightly before serving for a perfect finish.
Notes
- Use refrigerated pie crust for convenience, but homemade crust can be used for a more rustic texture.
- Poking holes in the top pastry layer prevents it from puffing up during baking.
- Seal edges well to prevent jam leakage while baking.
- Customize frosting color with different food coloring drops to match various occasions.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container to keep pastries fresh for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
