Save A romantic and elegant appetizer featuring crisp puff pastry hearts intertwined and filled with creamy goat cheese, sweet roasted peppers, and fresh herbs perfect for sharing with your loved one.
This appetizer is a favorite at our family gatherings, bringing a touch of love and sophistication to the table that everyone enjoys.
Ingredients
- Pastry: 1 sheet (approx 250 g) all-butter puff pastry thawed
- Pastry: 1 egg beaten (for egg wash)
- Filling: 120 g fresh goat cheese
- Filling: 2 tbsp crème fraîche
- Filling: 1 tbsp honey
- Filling: 1 tsp lemon zest
- Filling: 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Filling: 60 g roasted red peppers finely diced
- Filling: 2 tbsp fresh chives finely chopped
- Filling: 1 tbsp fresh basil finely chopped
- Filling: Pinch of salt
- Garnish (optional): Microgreens or baby arugula
- Garnish (optional): Extra honey for drizzling
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F) Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2:
- On a lightly floured surface roll out the puff pastry to a thickness of 3 mm Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter (about 7 cm wide) cut out 16 hearts.
- Step 3:
- Place 8 hearts on the prepared baking sheet In the center of each place a heaping teaspoon of the goat cheese mixture (prepared in step 4) leaving a 1 cm border.
- Step 4:
- In a bowl mix goat cheese crème fraîche honey lemon zest black pepper salt chives basil and roasted red peppers until smooth.
- Step 5:
- Brush the border of each heart on the baking sheet with beaten egg Top with a second heart and gently press the edges to seal Use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges.
- Step 6:
- Brush the tops of the hearts with more beaten egg If desired use a small knife to score delicate patterns.
- Step 7:
- Bake for 15 18 minutes or until puffed and golden brown Remove from oven and cool slightly.
- Step 8:
- Arrange on a serving platter Garnish with microgreens and drizzle with a little honey before serving.
Save These pastries always create joyful moments when we share them with friends and family especially on special occasions like Valentines Day.
Serving Suggestions
Pair with a crisp sparkling rosé or dry white wine to complement the creamy and sweet flavors.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days Reheat gently before serving.
Variations
Try adding caramelized onions or sun-dried tomatoes to the filling for a different flavor twist.
Save This recipe is a delightful way to celebrate love with a tasty homemade treat.
Recipe FAQ
- → What type of cheese is used in these pastries?
Fresh goat cheese forms the creamy base for the filling, balanced with crème fraîche and honey for smoothness and subtle sweetness.
- → How do I shape the puff pastry hearts?
Roll out the puff pastry thinly and use a heart-shaped cookie cutter about 7 cm wide to cut out even shapes for assembling.
- → Can I prepare these in advance?
Yes, you can assemble the pastries ahead and refrigerate them briefly before baking to maintain freshness and ease of serving.
- → What oven temperature is ideal for baking?
Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F) to achieve a perfect puff and golden crust on the pastries.
- → Are there alternatives to goat cheese for the filling?
Yes, ricotta or cream cheese can be used as substitutions to create a different but equally creamy texture.
- → How can I make a vegan version?
Use dairy-free cheese and a plant-based cream substitute to keep the texture and flavor in a vegan-friendly way.