Valentines Love Letter Pastries
Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to express love and affection through creative culinary delights. Picture these adorable Vegan Love Letter Pastries, shaped like sweet little envelopes bursting with delightful strawberry jam. They boast a flaky, buttery crust that crumbles perfectly in your hands, making them an indulgent treat for both friends and special someone. Whether tucked into a lunchbox or presented as a surprise during breakfast in bed, these pastries add a heartfelt touch to any celebration.
Table of Contents
I first discovered this recipe while searching for creative ways to treat my partner on Valentine’s Day without straying from my vegan lifestyle. The joy of making these pastries is in their simplicity and charm. They are reminiscent of classic pop tarts but offer a homemade, personalized twist that store-bought versions simply can’t match. Plus, they’re wallet-friendly—what’s not to love about that? I can’t wait for you to try them for yourself!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: With just 15 minutes of prep time, you can whip these up in no time and still enjoy a lovely 45-minute bake.
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of flaky pastry and sweet strawberry jam is a match made in heaven, delightful with every bite.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: The cute love letter shape makes these pastries not just tasty but also a feast for the eyes.
- Flexible Serving: Perfect for breakfast, snack time, or even as a sweet dessert treat. They shine for any occasion!
- Diet-Friendly Options: Completely dairy-free, these pastries are a fantastic option for those following a vegan lifestyle.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 240g of plain flour: This is the cornerstone of your pastry crust, providing the essential structure. Use all-purpose flour for the best results.
- 2 tablespoons of caster sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the dough. You can substitute with granulated sugar if needed.
- 220g of dairy-free block butter: It creates a flaky texture. Remember to keep it cold and cubed for optimal results—coconut oil can also be used as a substitute.
- Ice water: This is crucial for bringing your dough together. The chilled temperature helps achieve that flaky consistency.
- 1 jar of vegan-friendly strawberry jam: Unleash the fruity goodness inside your pastries. Feel free to experiment with blueberry or raspberry jam for a new twist!
- Dairy-free milk (optional): Use it to brush the pastries before baking for a nice golden finish. Almond or soy milk works well.
- Icing sugar (dusting, optional): For an elegant final touch, but this step can easily be skipped if preferred.
How to Make Valentines Love Letter Pastries
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, sift together 240g of plain flour and 2 tablespoons of caster sugar to ensure there are no lumps. This creates a light base for your pastry.
Incorporate Butter: Next, add 220g of cold, cubed dairy-free block butter into the flour mixture. Use your fingers or a food processor to mix until it resembles sand, creating a crumbly texture essential for a flaky crust.
Hydrate the Dough: Gradually add ice water, about ½ tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. Aim for a smooth yet slightly sticky texture, which usually requires about 1-2 tablespoons of ice water.
Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in greaseproof paper and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This rest period makes it easier to roll and shapes the pastries beautifully.
Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 170°C (340°F) fan and prepare two baking trays by lining them with grease-proof paper to prevent sticking.
Roll Out the Dough: Dust your work surface with flour and lay down a sheet of greaseproof paper. Roll out the chilled dough into a large rectangle between two sheets of floured paper, ensuring it’s even and about 1/4 inch thick.
Cut Shapes: Using a sharp knife, cut the rolled dough into diamond shapes, roughly 4 inches on each side. Place the diamonds on the prepared baking trays. For the remaining dough, use a mini heart-shaped cookie cutter to create cute heart shapes.
Fill with Jam: Place 1-2 teaspoons of vegan-friendly strawberry jam in the center of each diamond pastry. Fold the bottom and two side corners into the middle to create an envelope shape. Pinch the edges to seal the jam, ensuring none leaks out during baking.
Prepare for Baking: Brush each pastry with a bit of dairy-free milk and carefully press a heart shape at the center of each one. Finally, sprinkle some caster sugar over the top for sweetness and a golden finish.
Bake the Pastries: Place the trays in the middle of the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastries turn golden brown. You’ll know they’re ready when your kitchen fills with a sweet, buttery aroma!
Cool and Serve: Remove the pastries from the oven and allow them to cool slightly. They may be soft at first but will crisp up beautifully. Dust with icing sugar just before serving for an extra special touch.
Storing & Reheating
Store your Vegan Love Letter Pastries at room temperature in an airtight container for up to three days. If you want them to last longer, refrigerate them for about a week. For freezing, wrap each pastry tightly in plastic wrap and foil before placing them in a freezer-safe bag, and they’ll keep for up to three months. Reheat from frozen by baking at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes. Note that while reheating may slightly change their texture, a quick pop in the oven refreshes them perfectly.
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Ensure your dairy-free block butter remains cold; it’s key to achieving that flaky texture.
- Use a light hand when mixing the water into the dough; overmixing can lead to tough pastries.
- If you prefer sweeter pastries, feel free to add a bit more sugar to the jam before filling.
- Experiment with different jams, such as apricot or mixed berry, for varied flavors.
- Make a double batch and freeze extras for an easy treat anytime.
These Vegan Love Letter Pastries are not just a tasty treat; they are a lovely way to share the spirit of Valentine’s Day with friends and loved ones. With a light, flaky crust and a burst of sweet strawberry filling, you’ll find them irresistible. Plus, they’re incredibly simple to make! I encourage you to give them a try and sprinkle a little love into your kitchen. Whether for a romantic breakfast, a sweet snack, or a whimsical dessert, these pastries are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use a different type of jam?
Absolutely! You can use any jam or fruit filling you prefer, such as raspberry or blueberry. Just make sure it’s vegan-friendly to keep the pastries aligned with your dietary preferences.
How do I know when the pastry is done?
The pastries are properly baked when they turn a beautiful golden brown color. You’ll also notice a delicious buttery aroma wafting from the oven—your kitchen might become the most inviting place!
Can I make these ahead of time?
Definitely! You can prepare the dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Simply roll and shape the pastries when you’re ready to bake.
What can I do if the filling leaks out while baking?
Ensure that you seal the pastry properly by pinching the edges tightly together. If any does leak out, don’t worry too much—the pastries will still be delicious!
PrintMore Desserts & Appetizers Recipes
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📖 Recipe Card
Valentines Love Letter Pastries
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts & Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan
Description
These Valentines Love Letter Pastries are a delightful treat featuring flakey pastry filled with sweet strawberry jam. This simple and delicious recipe is great for anyone wanting to impress their loved ones with a homemade dessert that’s both easy to make and absolutely delightful.
Ingredients
- 240g of plain flour
- 2 tablespoons of caster sugar (plus extra for sprinkling)
- 220g of dairy-free block butter (cold and cut into small cubes)
- ice-water (see method)
- 1 jar of vegan friendly strawberry jam
- dairy-free milk (optional)
- icing sugar (dusting, optional)
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the plain flour and caster sugar. Add the cold, cubed dairy-free butter and mix until the texture resembles sand. This can be done by hand or using a food processor.
- Gradually add ice water, 1/2 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. Aim for a smooth and slightly sticky consistency. It may require 1-2 tablespoons of ice water.
- Wrap the dough in greaseproof paper and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm. This step helps to avoid sticking when rolling out the dough.
- Preheat the oven to 170°C fan and line two baking trays with greaseproof paper.
- Dust a work surface with flour and roll out the dough between two sheets of floured greaseproof paper until it forms a large rectangle. Cut the dough into diamond shapes (about 10cm on each side) and place them on the prepared trays. Continue until most of the dough is used, and create mini heart shapes with any remaining dough.
- Spoon one or two teaspoons of strawberry jam into the center of each diamond shape. Fold the three corners inward to resemble an open envelope, pressing the corners to seal in the jam.
- Brush the pastries with dairy-free milk, add heart-shaped cutouts on top, and sprinkle with extra sugar for a crispy, golden finish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes in the middle of the oven until golden brown.
- Let the pastries cool on a rack. They will be soft at first but will crisp up nicely.
- For serving, sprinkle with icing sugar or add a light glaze if desired.
Notes
Ensure the dairy-free butter is cold to achieve a flaky pastry texture.
You can add other fruit jams if you prefer different flavors.
Let cool completely before storing to maintain texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pastry
- Calories: 162
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
