Valentines Love Letter Pastries
Vegan Love Letter Pastries are the perfect way to celebrate special moments, especially with Valentine’s Day right around the corner. These delightful hand pies look like little envelopes filled with luscious strawberry jam, making them charmingly festive for anyone wishing to add a personal touch to their treats. Not only are these pastries vegan, but they also provide a crunchy, flaky texture that contrasts beautifully with the sweet, fruity filling inside.
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I first made these pastries during a cozy gathering with friends, and I’ll never forget their smiles when they bit into these little gems. The visible jam peeking out and the delightful crunch had us all raving about them. Whether you’re treating a loved one, preparing for a brunch, or indulging in a sweet snack, Vegan Love Letter Pastries are simple to create and can easily impress everyone around your table. Let’s get excited and roll up our sleeves to make this memorable treat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: Ready in just about an hour, these pastries are easy enough for any home baker.
- Irresistible Flavor: Imagine the satisfying crunch that gives way to a burst of sweet strawberry jam!
- Eye-Catching Appeal: Their unique shape and bright filling make them perfect for special occasions.
- Flexible Serving: Enjoy them as a delicious dessert, afternoon snack, or even breakfast treat.
- Diet-Friendly Options: Completely vegan, making it an excellent choice for plant-based diets.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 240g of plain flour: This is your foundation for the pastry. You can substitute with a gluten-free blend if needed.
- 2 tablespoons of caster sugar: For a hint of sweetness in the dough. You can use granulated sugar if caster sugar isn’t available.
- 220g of dairy-free block butter (cold and cut into small cubes): This provides the flaky texture. Always use cold butter for the best results.
- Ice-water: Helps bring the dough together without making it sticky. Chill your water for the best effect.
- 1 jar of vegan friendly strawberry jam: The star of the show! Feel free to experiment with other fruit jams for variety.
- Dairy-free milk (optional): For brushing the pastries to achieve a lovely golden color.
- Icing sugar (dusting, optional): A sprinkle of this adds a beautiful finishing touch, but is not necessary.
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. This blends the sugar evenly with the flour, ensuring a sweet pastry base.
Incorporate Butter: Add in 220g of cold, cubed dairy-free block butter. Using your fingers or a food processor, mix until it resembles soft sand. This step is vital for achieving that flaky texture.
Form the Dough: Gradually add ice-water, about ½ tablespoon at a time, until the dough starts to come together. This typically requires 1-2 tablespoons, depending on humidity. You want a smooth, slightly sticky dough.
Chill for Firmness: Wrap the dough in greaseproof paper and place it in the fridge for about 30 minutes, or until it feels firm to the touch. Chilling the dough will help prevent sticking when you roll it out later.
Preheat the Oven: While the dough chills, it’s time to prepare your kitchen. Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F) fan and line two baking trays with greaseproof paper.
Roll Out the Dough: Lay a sheet of greaseproof paper on your worktop, then dust with flour to prevent sticking. Roll out the chilled dough in between two sheets of floured greaseproof paper until it forms a large rectangle.
Cut Into Shapes: Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into diamond shapes, about 4 inches (10cm) on each side. Place these pieces on the lined trays. With any leftover dough, use a mini heart-shaped cookie cutter to create cute designs!
Fill with Jam: Spoon a teaspoon or two of strawberry jam into the center of each diamond shape. Fold three corners into the center to resemble an open envelope. Don’t forget to press the corners together to seal in the delicious jam.
Brush and Bake: Brush the formed pastries with a bit of dairy-free milk and add heart shapes made from remaining dough to the center. Sprinkle a little extra sugar on top for added crunch. Bake in the middle of the oven for 20-25 minutes, until they’re golden brown.
Cool Before Serving: Once baked, remove them from the oven and allow to cool on the trays. They will set and crisp up beautifully as they cool down.
Serve with Style: Dust with icing sugar for a sweet finish, if desired. While a simple glaze could enhance the look, I personally think they’re perfect as they are, showcasing their rustic charm!
Storing & Reheating
Store your Vegan Love Letter Pastries at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you need to keep them longer, refrigerate for about a week or freeze them for up to three months. To reheat, pop them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes. Keep in mind that the texture may change slightly when frozen, but reheating will help refresh that delightful crunch.
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Be careful not to overwork your dough; this can make it tough instead of flaky.
- Always use cold ingredients; they help keep the pastry’s texture light and crispy.
- If your strawberry jam is very runny, consider adding a little cornstarch to thicken it up before filling the pastries.
- If you have leftover pastry scraps, roll them out again to minimize waste, but remember that each re-roll will affect the texture slightly.
- Feel free to experiment with other fillings, like chocolate or different fruit jams.
Vegan Love Letter Pastries are not just a treat; they embody creativity, love, and charm in every bite. I encourage you to personalize them, perhaps filling them with your favorite jam or even adding some zest for an added twist! Making these pastries is an opportunity to bond over cooking, be it with your partner, friends, or even solo in the comfort of your kitchen.
Recipe FAQs
How do I know when the pastries are done baking?
Look for a golden brown color on the edges and a fluffy look in the center. They’ll be lightly fragrant, giving you a hint that they are ready to come out of the oven.
Can I freeze these pastries before baking?
Yes, you can! Prepare the pastries up to the filling stage, then freeze them on a tray. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container and they can last up to three months. Bake them directly from the freezer; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
What can I substitute for strawberry jam?
You can use any fruit jam or even a fruit preserve. Raspberry, blueberry, or peach jams would make delightful alternatives that add their unique twist to the flavor profile.
Can I make these pastries gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the plain flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Just ensure the blend you use includes a binding agent like xanthan gum for the best texture.
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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 stand out with their delightful flavor and simple preparation. Crafted with dairy-free ingredients and filled with strawberry jam, they make a charming homemade treat for any occasion.
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 bowl, sift the flour and caster sugar together. Add the cold cubed dairy-free butter and mix until the mixture resembles sand, using either your hands or a food processor.
- Gradually add the ice water, starting with half a tablespoon at a time, until the dough forms. It should be slightly sticky but not wet or dry, requiring approximately 1-2 tablespoons of ice water.
- Wrap the dough in greaseproof paper and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm to avoid sticking during rolling.
- Preheat the oven to 170°C (fan) and line 2 baking trays with greaseproof paper.
- Dust a sheet of greaseproof paper on your worktop with flour and roll out the dough between two sheets of floured greaseproof paper into a large rectangle. Cut into diamond shapes, approximately 10cm on each side, and place onto the lined trays. Use a mini heart-shaped cutter for remaining dough.
- Add a teaspoon or two of strawberry jam to the center of each diamond. Fold the corners into the center so the pastry resembles an open envelope and press to seal the jam inside.
- Brush the pastries with dairy-free milk, place hearts into the center, and sprinkle sugar on top for a golden finish.
- Bake the pastries in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let the pastries cool after baking. They may be soft initially but will crisp up nicely.
- Serve with a dusting of icing sugar, and optionally drizzle with glaze.
Notes
Ensure the dairy-free butter is cold for the best texture.
You can use any flavor of vegan jam if strawberry isn’t preferred.
These pastries are excellent for sharing on special occasions like Valentine’s Day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pastry
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
