Valentines Love Letter Pastries
There’s something magical about baking that fills the air with warmth, sweetness, and a tantalizing aroma that draws everyone to the kitchen. Picture a soft, crumbly pastry cradling the bright, fruity essence of strawberry jam, creating a delightful treat that looks like a love letter. Imagine the thrill of pulling these cozy Valentines Love Letter Pastries from the oven, their golden edges glistening and sugary crust inviting you in for a bite.
Table of Contents
This recipe takes me back to cherished moments spent in my grandmother’s kitchen, where handling dough felt like a secret art. She would often encourage me to create shapes that told stories, sparking my imagination. As Valentine’s Day approaches, these pastries are not just desserts; they’re heartfelt tokens of affection that express emotions words sometimes fail to capture. Whether you’re gifting them or sharing with loved ones, these pastries will surely bring smiles and warmth. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s create something truly special together!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: With just 15 minutes of prep time, you’ll have these pastries ready in no time!
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of flakey pastry and sweet strawberry jam results in a mouthwatering finish.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: Their charming envelope shape makes them an impressive addition to any treat table or breakfast spread.
- Flexible Serving: Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or surprising your loved ones on Valentine’s Day.
- Diet-Friendly Options: These pastries are completely vegan, making them a delightful option for everyone!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 240g plain flour: This is the base of your pastry. All-purpose flour also works well if you can’t find plain flour.
- 2 tablespoons caster sugar: This adds a hint of sweetness to the pastry and helps achieve a delicate golden color. Granulated sugar can be a good substitute, but it might not dissolve as seamlessly.
- 220g dairy-free block butter: Choose a cold, high-quality vegan butter for a rich, buttery flavor. Ensure it’s cubed to mix in effortlessly.
- Ice-water: Use this to bring the dough together. It keeps the butter cold, resulting in a flakier pastry.
- 1 jar of vegan-friendly strawberry jam: A good quality jam amplifies the strawberry flavor. You could also use homemade jam or switch to another fruit based on preference.
- Dairy-free milk (optional): For brushing the pastries before baking to give them a glossy sheen.
- Icing sugar (dusting, optional): A final touch adds a sweet visual appeal.
How to Make Valentines Love Letter Pastries
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, sift together the flour and caster sugar, ensuring they’re well combined. This step removes lumps and aerates the flour, leading to a lighter pastry. It’s like giving your dry mix a gentle wake-up call, preparing it for the buttery goodness to come.
Incorporate Butter: Add the cold, cubed dairy-free butter into your flour mix. Using your hands or a food processor, blend until the mixture resembles coarse sand. This step is crucial because you want tiny bits of butter to remain in the dough, which will create a flakiness once baked. It’s like creating little pockets of happiness!
Add Ice-Water: Drizzle in ice-water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing until your dough comes together. Be careful not to overwork it; you want it to be smooth but slightly sticky. Usually, 1-2 tablespoons is sufficient for the perfect consistency. Think of this as helping the dough find its identity!
Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in greaseproof paper and pop it into the fridge for about 30 minutes. Chilling the dough prevents it from sticking when rolled, and it also allows those butter pockets to firm up—ultimately enhancing the pastry’s texture.
Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 340°F (170°C, fan). Line two baking trays with greaseproof paper, ensuring you have enough space for all your beautiful pastries to spread out while baking.
Roll Out Dough: Dust your worktop with flour and roll out the chilled dough between two floured sheets of greaseproof paper. Aim for a large rectangle and cut the dough into diamond shapes, about 4 inches on each side. Use a sharp knife for clean edges. Each diamond will be like a little love letter waiting to be filled!
Fill & Shape: Place a teaspoon or two of strawberry jam in the center of each diamond shape. Fold the three corners into the center, creating an envelope shape, and gently press to seal the jam within. Make sure your jam is nestled securely—a little peek of it is charming, but we don’t want it spilling out before it’s baked!
Brush & Sprinkle: Gently brush the tops of your pastries with dairy-free milk for a glossy finish. Sprinkle with a bit of caster sugar to add an extra crunch and sweetness—this step not only enhances flavor but also helps achieve that beautiful golden-brown color.
Bake to Perfection: Place the trays in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for that gorgeous golden hue. The pastries should smell wonderful as they bake, and their edges will turn a beautiful golden brown. Once baked, allow them to cool on the trays for a few minutes.
Cool & Dust: While still warm but not too hot to touch, transfer your pastries to a wire rack to cool further. Once cool, a light dusting of icing sugar can elevate their presentation to something extra special. If you’re feeling creative, a drizzle of glaze could be a fun addition!
Storing & Reheating
Store any leftover Valentines Love Letter Pastries at room temperature in an airtight container for up to three days. If you wish to keep them longer, refrigerate them for up to a week. For freezing, ensure they are well-wrapped in cling film or placed in a freezer-safe container and they can last up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5-10 minutes; keep an eye on them to prevent over-baking. Note that reheating may slightly alter the texture, but a quick crisp in the oven will help revive their flaky glory!
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Look out for dry dough: If your dough feels too crumbly, add a little more ice water, one tablespoon at a time until it holds together.
- Keep your butter cold: Using cold butter will help achieve that light and flaky texture. The colder, the better!
- Timing is everything: Allow your pastries to cool as directed; this ensures the perfect balance of soft, yet crisp, texture when you bite in.
- Variations to consider: Feel free to switch up the jam flavor based on the season or preference—raspberry or apricot could be delightful!
- Make them ahead: You can prepare the dough a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Just remember, letting it warm up a bit before rolling makes the process easier.
Amid the bustling world of baking, nothing says love quite like homemade Valentines Love Letter Pastries. With their delightful strawberry filling and charming presentation, they’re not just desserts but meaningful tokens that celebrate affection and sweetness. Don’t hesitate to experiment with flavors or toppings, and embrace whatever creativity sparks your heart. Gather your loved ones, share stories, and enjoy the magic of baking together!
Recipe FAQs
Can I use a different type of jam?
Absolutely! While strawberry jam is delightful, feel free to experiment with your favorites like raspberry, cherry, or even lemon curd. The key is to choose a filling that balances sweetness with a bit of tartness for a well-rounded flavor.
Can I make these pastries gluten-free?
Yes! You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of plain flour. Ensure it contains a binding agent like xanthan gum, or add a bit of almond flour to maintain a nice texture in the pastry.
What’s the best way to ensure my pastries stay flaky?
To keep your pastries flaky, avoid overworking the dough, and be sure to keep your ingredients cold. Also, chilling the dough before baking creates a tender, flaky crust that stays beautifully light and airy.
How can I make these ahead of time?
You can prepare the dough a day in advance and store it in the fridge. After cutting and shaping the pastries, you can also freeze them before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from frozen. Remember, they taste best fresh!
More Desserts & Appetizers Recipes
- Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate
- Classic Shortbread Cookies
- Peanut Marshmallow Clusters
- Christmas Tree Brownies with Chocolate Buttercream Bliss
- STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE OREO BALLS
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📖 Recipe Card
Valentines Love Letter Pastries
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 pastries 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan
Description
These Valentines Love Letter Pastries are a heartwarming treat with a flaky pastry envelope and sweet strawberry jam filling. Quick to prepare, they make wonderful gifts or delightful additions to any meal.
Ingredients
- 240g plain flour
- 2 tablespoons caster sugar
- 220g dairy-free block butter
- Ice-water
- 1 jar of vegan-friendly strawberry jam
- Dairy-free milk (optional)
- Icing sugar (dusting, optional)
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients, sift flour and caster sugar together.
- Incorporate butter until the mix resembles coarse sand.
- Add ice-water gradually until the dough comes together.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes wrapped in greaseproof paper.
- Preheat oven to 340°F (170°C) and line baking trays.
- Roll out the dough and cut into diamond shapes.
- Fill with strawberry jam and shape into envelopes.
- Brush with dairy-free milk and sprinkle caster sugar on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool briefly on wire racks and dust with icing sugar.
Notes
Use cold butter for a flaky texture.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
Feel free to explore different jam flavors for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pastry
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
