Imagine creating a delicious treat for your coffee break in just minutes! These French pastry squares filled with smooth cottage cheese and sweet strawberry jam are a testament to simplicity and taste. With just a few ingredients and a straightforward process, you can transform your coffee time into a delightful gourmet experience. These pastries combine the flaky texture of puff pastry with the creamy richness of cottage cheese and the vibrant sweetness of strawberry jam, making them irresistible.
Why You’ll Love This: This recipe is perfect for those moments when you crave something sweet and satisfying but don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. The ease of preparation, combined with the delightful flavors and textures, makes these pastries a guaranteed hit. They’re also wonderfully versatile; you can swap out the jam for fresh fruit or experiment with different fillings to suit your taste.
Perfect Occasion: Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together, looking for a quick dessert option for family dinner, or simply want to treat yourself during a coffee break, these French pastry delights are perfect. They’re also great for packing as a sweet snack for work or school, offering a homemade touch of comfort on the go.
Decoration Tips: For an elegant finish, a light dusting of powdered sugar on these pastries not only adds to their visual appeal but also enhances their sweetness. If you’re feeling creative, a drizzle of melted chocolate or a dollop of whipped cream before serving can elevate them into a decadent dessert. Serving them on a vintage plate or a modern slate board can also make your coffee break feel like a special occasion.
Recipe for Cottage Cheese and Strawberry Jam French Pastry Squares:
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet of puff pastry, rolled out and cut into 8 squares.
- 300g of ground cottage cheese mixed with 1 egg yolk, a pinch of vanilla sugar, and 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar.
- About 1/2 cup of strawberry jam.
Assembly:
- Score the corners of each pastry square as shown in the video.
- Place the cottage cheese mixture into one piping bag (with or without a decorative nozzle) and the strawberry jam into another. Snip off the ends.
- Pipe a portion of the cottage cheese and a portion of the jam onto each square. Braid the edges alternately. Transfer onto a baking sheet lined with the same parchment paper used for rolling out the pastry.
- Brush the pastries with beaten egg or milk for a golden finish.
Baking:
- Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (392°F) for about 20 minutes. Once cooled, sprinkle with powdered sugar for a sweet, decorative touch.
Variation:
- Substitute strawberry jam with fresh strawberry pieces for a fresher, fruitier flavor.
Enjoy these effortlessly chic pastries, a perfect blend of flaky pastry, creamy filling, and sweet jam. A delightful treat to brighten your day!
