These delightful heart-shaped vol-au-vents filled with a creamy cottage cheese blend and topped with fresh strawberries are a perfect treat for any occasion. Crafted from flaky puff pastry, this recipe offers a charming and elegant way to express love and affection through the universal language of delicious food, all while incorporating the sweet, natural flavors of strawberries without any added sugar.
Why You'll Love This:
- Innovatively Sweet: The combination of savory puff pastry, creamy filling, and fresh strawberries offers a unique taste experience.
- Perfect for Special Occasions: Ideal for romantic dinners, Valentine's Day, anniversaries, or as a heartfelt gesture to loved ones.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the sweetness with natural syrup, making it suitable for various dietary preferences.
Perfect Occasion:
Whether you're looking to add a special touch to a brunch menu, seeking a sophisticated dessert for a dinner party, or simply aiming to surprise a loved one with a homemade treat, these heart-shaped vol-au-vents are sure to impress. Their elegant appearance and delightful combination of flavors make them a versatile choice for any celebratory event or casual gathering.
Decoration Tips:
- Fruit Toppings: While strawberries are a classic choice, feel free to top these beauties with any berry or fruit of your liking for a colorful and tasty variation.
- Mint Leaves: A sprig of mint not only adds a fresh aroma but also enhances the visual appeal of each pastry.
- Powdered Sugar Substitute: For an extra touch of sweetness without the sugar, lightly dust with a powdered sugar substitute before serving.
Ingredients:
- 15.9 ounces (450g) of puff pastry (yeast-free)
- 5.3 ounces (150g) of cream cheese
- 1.8 ounces (50g) of soft cottage cheese
- 3.5 ounces (100g) of strawberries
- 1 egg for brushing
- Natural syrup to taste
Directions:
- Roll out the puff pastry. Use large heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the base hearts. Then, using smaller heart-shaped cutters, make cuts in the center of each base heart to create a smaller heart, removing the center piece to form a heart-shaped edge.
- Brush the base hearts with beaten egg and carefully place the heart-shaped edges on top, aligning them to create a raised border. Brush the edges with egg as well.
- Preheat your oven to 374°F (190°C) and bake the pastries for about 15 minutes until golden and puffed up. Let them cool down after baking.
- For the filling, mix the cream cheese, soft cottage cheese, and natural syrup until smooth. Fill the cooled pastry hearts with this cheese mixture.
- Top each vol-au-vent with fresh strawberries, arranged beautifully on the creamy filling.
Enjoy these heart-shaped vol-au-vents with cottage cheese cream and strawberries as a symbol of your culinary affection, bringing joy and sweetness to any moment without the need for added sugar.