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Nothing says I adore you quite like a plate of freshly baked Love Letter Pastries with raspberry cream cheese filling. They bring a little romance to any breakfast tray or afternoon cup of tea. Flaky pastry hugs sweet jam and smooth cream cheese in every bite. These treats make ordinary days feel special or can be a creative way to surprise someone you care about.
I wanted something both pretty and simple for my friend’s birthday and everyone ended up swooning over these lovenote pastries with their delicate heart shaped tops.
Ingredients
- Puff pastry: Provides crisp layers and an elegant appearance. Use all butter pastry if you can for extra flavor.
- Raspberry jam: Adds brightness and a pop of color. Look for seedless and good quality fruit preserves for a smoother filling.
- Cream cheese: Brings a creamy tang. Softened block cream cheese makes mixing easiest. Avoid whipped types.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the filling and dusts the tops. Sift if lumpy for a silky blend.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the filling with mellow warmth. Choose pure vanilla for best flavor.
- Egg: Gives your pastries a bronzed sheen. Use the freshest eggs possible.
- Flour (for dusting): Keeps the pastry easy to work with. Use just enough to prevent sticking.
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling:
- Mix soft cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla in a small bowl until silky and free of lumps. Spend a good minute mixing to ensure smoothness so the filling bakes up creamy.
- Shape and Fill the Pastry:
- Roll out thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface for even thickness. Cut into six equal squares. Spoon a small mound of cream cheese filling in the center of each square followed by a dollop of raspberry jam. Keep the jam and filling away from the edges to prevent leaks.
- Create the Love Letter Fold:
- Gently bring all four corners of each pastry square to the center, slightly overlapping to form an envelope. Press the tips down firmly so they stick. If you have extra pastry, create heart shapes to decorate the top.
- Give Them a Glossy Finish:
- Beat one egg and lightly brush it over each pastry. Take care not to oversaturate. This egg wash ensures golden crispness once baked.
- Bake to Perfection:
- Transfer the little envelopes to a parchment lined baking sheet. Heat your oven to three hundred seventy five degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for fifteen to eighteen minutes until they are puffed, crisp, and beautifully golden.
- Cool and Add the Final Flourish:
- Let pastries rest a few minutes so the filling sets, then generously dust with powdered sugar. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
The best part for me is the jam center. It always reminds me of baking these with my little cousin on snow days. We had so much fun stamping out pastry hearts and sneaking bites of the filling.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Keep any leftover pastries in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or in the fridge for up to three days. They are best enjoyed the same day but a quick warm up in the oven at three hundred degrees Fahrenheit brings back their flakiness. Avoid microwaving so the pastry stays crisp.
Easy Ingredient Swaps
You can use any favorite fruit preserve such as strawberry, blueberry, or apricot. Nut butters or chocolate hazelnut spread are also delicious. As for the filling, mascarpone works as an elegant substitute for cream cheese.
Perfect Ways to Serve This
A light dusting of powdered sugar always makes these look bakery worthy. For a brunch table, place on vintage plates with fresh raspberries or edible flowers beside each pastry. If you really want to impress, drizzle some melted chocolate over the top or pair with a vanilla bean whipped cream.
Share these pastries warm with someone you love or bring to your next brunch. They are guaranteed to make an ordinary day feel special.
Recipe Q&A
- → How do I prevent filling from leaking out?
Seal pastry edges well and avoid overfilling; press with your fingers to secure the corners.
- → Can I use a different fruit jam?
Yes, try strawberry, apricot, or blueberry preserves for a unique flavor twist.
- → How do I achieve a flaky texture?
Bake with fully thawed puff pastry at high heat to encourage even puffing and crispness.
- → Should the pastries be served warm or at room temperature?
They are delicious both warm and at room temperature; cooling slightly helps flavors set.
- → What’s the purpose of the egg wash?
Brushing with beaten egg before baking adds a golden, shiny finish to the pastries.
- → How can I add a decorative touch?
Cut small heart shapes from extra pastry and place on top before baking for a charming look.