Making these beautiful Strawberry Heart Shaped Tarts is easier than you might think! They’re the perfect sweet treat for Valentine’s Day, a special anniversary, or just because you want to show someone you care. These adorable tarts combine flaky pastry, creamy filling, and fresh strawberries for a dessert that’s as delicious as it is pretty.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
What makes these Strawberry Heart Shaped Tarts so amazing? First, they're incredibly easy to customize. You can use store-bought pastry to save time or make your own if you're feeling ambitious. The creamy filling is light and not too sweet, which balances perfectly with the juicy strawberries. Plus, the heart shape adds a touch of elegance and makes them ideal for any romantic occasion. Whether you are looking to bake something special for a loved one or just want to enjoy a delicious treat, these easy strawberry tarts are sure to impress.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own Strawberry Heart Shaped Tarts:
- 1 sheet (14.1 oz) ready-made puff pastry, thawed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, washed and hulled
- 2 tablespoons strawberry jam, for glaze
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pastry
Gently unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many hearts as possible. You should be able to get about 12 hearts from one sheet. Place the heart-shaped pastry on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 2: Bake the Hearts
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the heart-shaped pastries for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and puffed up. Let them cool completely on a wire rack. This is crucial to ensure they crisp up nicely.
Step 3: Make the Cream Filling
While the pastries are cooling, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, combine the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Use an electric mixer to whip the mixture until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip; you want it to be firm but still smooth.
Step 4: Prepare the Strawberries
Wash and hull the strawberries. Slice them thinly to make them easier to arrange on the tarts. If you are using larger strawberries, you might want to slice them in half or quarters to make them fit nicely on the heart shape.
Step 5: Assemble the Tarts
Once the pastries are cool, gently slice each heart in half horizontally. Spread a generous layer of the whipped cream filling onto the bottom half of each heart. Arrange the sliced strawberries attractively on top of the cream.
Step 6: Glaze the Strawberries
In a small saucepan, heat the strawberry jam over low heat until it melts and becomes smooth. Brush the melted jam over the strawberries to give them a beautiful shine and a touch of extra sweetness. This step is optional but it will add a polished look to your strawberry heart tarts.
Serving Suggestions
These delightful Strawberry Heart Shaped Tarts are perfect as a light dessert after a romantic dinner. They pair wonderfully with a cup of herbal tea or a glass of sparkling cider.
For a beautiful presentation, dust the finished tarts with a little extra powdered sugar or garnish with a few fresh mint leaves. They're ideal for Valentine's Day, anniversaries, bridal showers, or any occasion where you want to show someone you care.
Storage and Reheating
The Strawberry Heart Shaped Tarts are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Keep them in an airtight container to prevent the pastry from becoming soggy.
Reheating isn't recommended, as the whipped cream might melt and the pastry will lose its crispness. If you have leftover pastry hearts, you can store them separately and assemble the tarts just before serving.
Key Details
- Prep time: 25 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 40 minutes
- Servings: Approximately 12 tarts
- Equipment: Baking sheet, parchment paper, heart-shaped cookie cutter, electric mixer, small saucepan
Strawberry Heart Shaped Tarts
Ingredients
- 1 sheet 14.1 oz ready-made puff pastry, thawed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pound fresh strawberries washed and hulled
- 2 tablespoons strawberry jam for glaze
Instructions
- Gently unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many hearts as possible. You should be able to get about 12 hearts from one sheet. Place the heart-shaped pastry on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the heart-shaped pastries for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and puffed up. Let them cool completely on a wire rack. This is crucial to ensure they crisp up nicely.
- While the pastries are cooling, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, combine the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Use an electric mixer to whip the mixture until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip; you want it to be firm but still smooth.
- Wash and hull the strawberries. Slice them thinly to make them easier to arrange on the tarts. If you are using larger strawberries, you might want to slice them in half or quarters to make them fit nicely on the heart shape.
- Once the pastries are cool, gently slice each heart in half horizontally. Spread a generous layer of the whipped cream filling onto the bottom half of each heart. Arrange the sliced strawberries attractively on top of the cream.
- In a small saucepan, heat the strawberry jam over low heat until it melts and becomes smooth. Brush the melted jam over the strawberries to give them a beautiful shine and a touch of extra sweetness. This step is optional but it will add a polished look to your strawberry heart tarts.
