If you’re looking for a delightful treat that feels both fancy and approachable, this Puff Pastry Hearts with Icing Recipe is your new best friend. These golden, flaky hearts bring together the buttery crispiness of puff pastry with a sweet, creamy icing that can be easily customized. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just craving something sweet and charming, this recipe hits all the right notes with simple ingredients and an irresistible presentation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a vital role, balancing flavor, texture, and a touch of sweetness. These simple components come together to create a snack that’s flaky, buttery, and perfectly sweetened.
- Puff pastry sheet: The star of the show, puff pastry creates those wonderful layers of buttery crispiness.
- Unsalted butter: Melted and brushed onto the pastry, it adds richness and helps achieve a golden crust.
- Granulated sugar: Optional but adds a subtle sweetness and helps caramelize the surface for extra flavor.
- Cinnamon: Also optional, but just a hint transforms these hearts with warm, comforting spice.
- Powdered sugar: The base for the icing, providing smooth sweetness without graininess.
- Milk or heavy cream: Used to adjust the icing’s consistency, giving it a perfect drizzle texture.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a lovely aromatic depth to the icing, making it unforgettable.
- Pink or red food coloring: For that charming pop of color, turning these hearts into festive goodies.
How to Make Puff Pastry Hearts with Icing Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Puff Pastry
Start by thawing your puff pastry if frozen, then gently roll it out on a lightly floured surface. This creates a smooth canvas for shaping your hearts and ensures they bake evenly and puff up beautifully.
Step 2: Cutting the Hearts
Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut the puff pastry sheet into as many heart shapes as you can. Don’t worry if the edges aren’t perfect; the rustic look adds to their charm.
Step 3: Brushing with Butter and Adding Flavor
Brush each heart generously with melted unsalted butter. If you’re feeling adventurous, sprinkle some granulated sugar and a dash of cinnamon on top for that sweet-spiced finish that perfectly complements the buttery layers.
Step 4: Baking to Golden Perfection
Place the hearts on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a bit of space around them to allow puffing. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 12-15 minutes, until they’re golden brown and irresistibly flaky. The smell alone will have you reaching for the oven mitts!
Step 5: Making the Icing
While the hearts cool slightly, mix powdered sugar with milk or cream, vanilla extract, and a few drops of pink or red food coloring. Adjust the liquid to get a smooth, drizzleable icing that’s just the right consistency to make your hearts look as good as they taste.
Step 6: Drizzling the Icing
Once the hearts are completely cool, use a spoon or a piping bag to drizzle the icing over the puff pastry hearts. The contrast of white or tinted icing against the golden crust adds a delightful visual treat to match the sweetness.
How to Serve Puff Pastry Hearts with Icing Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh berries or edible flower petals make excellent garnishes for your puff pastry hearts, adding pops of color and a fresh flavor balance to the sweet icing. You can also sprinkle some finely chopped nuts for texture.
Side Dishes
Serve these flaky hearts alongside a warm cup of coffee or tea to complement their buttery sweetness. They also pair wonderfully with a fresh fruit salad or a dollop of whipped cream for brunch or dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the puff pastry hearts on a rustic wooden board or a delicate plate lined with parchment paper. Add small bowls of dipping sauces like chocolate ganache or fruit preserves for an interactive, party-ready setup that’s sure to impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover puff pastry hearts, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain their crispiness and freshness.
Freezing
You can freeze baked puff pastry hearts by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to one month for best taste and texture.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-baked crispness, gently reheat your puff pastry hearts in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5 to 7 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them soggy and ruin those flaky layers.
FAQs
Can I make Puff Pastry Hearts with Icing Recipe without cinnamon?
Absolutely! Cinnamon is optional and adds warmth, but the recipe works perfectly without it, letting the buttery puff pastry and sweet icing shine on their own.
Is store-bought puff pastry just as good as homemade?
Store-bought puff pastry saves time while still delivering flaky, delicious results. Homemade puff pastry is wonderful but takes more effort, so feel free to use whichever fits your schedule.
Can I use alternatives to milk or heavy cream in the icing?
Yes, you can substitute milk or cream with almond milk, oat milk, or even water in a pinch. Just keep an eye on the consistency to make sure your icing stays smooth.
How long do the Puff Pastry Hearts with Icing stay fresh?
When stored properly in an airtight container, these treats can stay fresh for about 2 days at room temperature. For longer storage, freezing is the best option.
Can I add other flavors to the icing?
Definitely! Try almond extract, lemon zest, or even a bit of cocoa powder to customize the icing and create new flavor profiles that complement the puff pastry hearts.
Final Thoughts
Making Puff Pastry Hearts with Icing Recipe is a wonderful way to add a little sweetness and joy to your day with minimal fuss. Their golden, flaky texture combined with that luscious icing is simply irresistible, making them a perfect treat to share with loved ones or savor on a quiet afternoon. I really hope you give this recipe a try and experience the simple magic of puff pastry hearts yourself!
Print
Puff Pastry Hearts with Icing Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12-15 puff pastry hearts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These delightful Puff Pastry Hearts with Icing are a quick and charming treat perfect for any occasion. Featuring flaky, buttery puff pastry shaped into cute hearts and finished with a sweet, creamy icing, they make an excellent snack or dessert that is both simple to prepare and visually appealing.
Ingredients
Pastry
- 1 sheet of puff pastry (store-bought or homemade, thawed if frozen)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar (optional, for sweetness)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Icing
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tsp milk or heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- Pink or red food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Puff Pastry: Thaw the puff pastry sheet according to package instructions until pliable but still cold. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cut and Brush: Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut as many hearts as possible from the sheet. Place the cutouts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush each heart with melted butter.
- Add Sugar and Cinnamon (Optional): In a small bowl, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon. Lightly sprinkle this mixture over the brushed puff pastry hearts to add sweetness and aroma.
- Bake the Hearts: Bake the puff pastry hearts in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Remove from oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk or heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. If desired, add a few drops of pink or red food coloring to create a festive look.
- Decorate: Drizzle or spread the icing over the cooled puff pastry hearts. Let the icing set before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the puff pastry is cold but not frozen when cutting to ensure clean edges and better puff.
- Optional cinnamon and sugar add a warm flavor, but you can omit it for a simpler treat.
- If you want a thicker icing, reduce the milk or cream amount slightly.
- Use a piping bag or a spoon to control the icing decoration based on preference.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain crispness.
