Valentine’s Puff Pastry Hearts with Strawberries and Nutella Recipe

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s as charming as it is delicious, then you’re going to adore this Valentine’s Puff Pastry Hearts with Strawberries and Nutella Recipe. It’s one of those treats that feels fancy but is surprisingly easy to pull off, and I absolutely love how it turns out every time. Imagine flaky puff pastry hearts filled with luscious whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and that irresistible Nutella drizzle—perfect for sharing with someone special or even indulging all by yourself!

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together to create a flaky, creamy, fruity, and chocolatey dessert that’s hard to resist. I always recommend using fresh strawberries and good-quality Nutella to really elevate the flavors.

• Puff pastry sheet: Make sure it’s thawed but still cold—this helps keep that beautiful flaky texture during baking.
• Flour (for dusting): Just enough to keep the dough from sticking without making it tough.
• Egg: For brushing over the pastry to get a golden, shiny finish.
• Cream cheese: Adds richness and tang to the whipped filling—room temperature works best for easy blending.
• Powdered sugar: Use less if you prefer less sweetness, but it melts smoothly into the cream cheese and cream.
• Heavy whipping cream: The star that makes your filling light and fluffy, be sure it’s cold so it whips up nicely.
• Vanilla extract: Just a splash to deepen the flavor of the whipped cream.
• Sliced strawberries: Fresh and juicy—wash and slice them evenly for the perfect balance in each bite.
• Nutella: Warm it slightly to drizzle easily and get those beautiful glossy swirls on top.

Variations

I like to play around with this recipe depending on the season or my mood—you can easily swap out ingredients or add extras to make it your own.

• Berry Medley: My family goes crazy for mixing raspberries and blueberries with the strawberries for a colorful twist.
• Dairy-Free Version: Trying coconut cream instead of heavy cream works well if you’re craving dairy-free indulgence.
• Nut-Free Swap: Use sunflower seed butter instead of Nutella if you or your guests have nut allergies.
• Chocolate Lovers: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips between layers or dust with cocoa powder for added decadence.

How to Make Valentine’s Puff Pastry Hearts with Strawberries and Nutella Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Puff Pastry Hearts

First thing first: preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F). While that heats up, lightly flour your work surface and gently fold your puff pastry in half. I like to press it together with a rolling pin just a bit—not too much or you’ll flatten all those beautiful layers. Use your heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many hearts as you can. Pro tip: dip your cutter in flour before cutting to avoid sticking. Prick the tops with a fork to prevent puffing too much in the middle, then brush with beaten egg for that gorgeous golden finish. Bake for 9-10 minutes but keep an eye on them to avoid over-browning—they should be puffed and golden brown.

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Filling

While your hearts cool, it’s time to whip the cream filling. I like to chill my mixing bowl and whisk attachment beforehand—it makes the cream fluffier so much faster. Beat together the cream cheese and powdered sugar until combined; feel free to adjust the sweetness to your liking. Slowly add the heavy cream and continue whisking until stiff peaks form—you’ll know it’s ready when the cream holds its shape perfectly. Lastly, stir in the vanilla for that subtle warm note.

Step 3: Assemble and Decorate Your Hearts

Carefully slice each puff pastry heart in half horizontally using a serrated knife. Pipe or spread a generous dollop of the whipped cream onto the bottom half, then layer on those fresh strawberry slices. Top with the other puff pastry half, dust some powdered sugar over the hearts, and then it’s time for the Nutella drizzle. To make it easy to drizzle, microwave your Nutella for about 30 seconds until it’s runny but not too hot. I usually spoon it into a plastic bag, snip a tiny corner, and drizzle neatly over each heart. Voilà—your beautiful, delicious Valentine’s Puff Pastry Hearts with Strawberries and Nutella are ready to impress!

How to Serve Valentine’s Puff Pastry Hearts with Strawberries and Nutella Recipe

Garnishes

I love garnishing these hearts with a light dusting of powdered sugar and some fresh mint leaves—it adds a lovely contrast in color and a refreshing breath of flavor. Sometimes I’ll even sprinkle a few toasted almond slivers on top for a bit of crunch. It makes the dessert look like it belongs on a fancy café menu.

Side Dishes

When we serve these, I usually pair them with a simple side like a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a fresh fruit salad. If it’s morning or brunch time, a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of sparkling rosé elevates the entire experience.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to arrange the hearts on a pretty platter lined with rose petals and sprinkle extra strawberries all around. Another fun idea is serving each heart individually on small plates with a decorative drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce—makes your guests feel super special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which is rare at my house!), I recommend storing the assembled hearts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one day. The puff pastry might soften a bit, but they’re still delicious.

Freezing

I usually freeze just the unbaked puff pastry hearts before cooking. Once cut out, I place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you want a quick treat, just bake them straight from frozen (add a couple extra minutes), then proceed with filling and decorating.

Reheating

For leftover baked but unfilled hearts, reheat them in a toaster oven or regular oven at 180°C (350°F) for 3-5 minutes to bring back crunchiness. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make puff pastry soggy. Always add the whipped cream and fruit fresh before serving.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Valentine’s Puff Pastry Hearts with Strawberries and Nutella Recipe holds a special place in my heart—not just because it’s a showstopper at celebrations, but because it’s one of those desserts that brings joy with every bite. I remember the first time I made it; my kitchen was filled with the sweet aroma of baked pastry and fresh fruit, and my family couldn’t stop asking for seconds. I’m confident you’ll find the same smiles and warm moments when you whip these up. So, pull out that puff pastry and get ready to impress with a simple, heartfelt dessert!

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