Valentines Love Letter Pastries are the perfect little treats to share your feelings in the sweetest way. These pastries are flaky, buttery, and shaped like tiny envelopes, filled with a delicious mix of jam or sweet cream that feels like getting a heartfelt note you can eat. They’re simple but special, making them ideal for Valentine’s Day morning or a cozy afternoon snack.
I love making these pastries because they’re as fun to bake as they are to eat. There’s something about folding the dough into an envelope shape that makes the whole process feel more personal, like you’re sending a little message of love through your baking. It’s a great way to show someone you care without needing a fancy card—just a warm, homemade treat.
My favorite way to enjoy these pastries is fresh out of the oven with a cup of tea or coffee. They’re light but satisfying and perfect for sharing with a loved one while chatting or watching a favorite movie. I find that they also make a wonderful surprise breakfast or even a thoughtful gift, wrapped up with a ribbon or placed on a pretty plate. These love letter pastries really bring some extra sweetness into any day.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Puff pastry: This is the star for flaky, buttery layers. Frozen puff pastry is easy to find and works well thawed. If you prefer, you can use homemade puff pastry, but it takes more time.
Jam: Raspberry or strawberry are great for a bright, sweet filling. You can swap these for blueberry, apricot, or even nut butter if you want less sweetness and more richness.
Egg wash: Made by beating one egg with water, it helps get that golden shiny crust. For a vegan version, use a bit of maple syrup or soy milk instead.
Powdered sugar: A quick dusting adds a lovely finishing touch, but you could use a light drizzle of glaze if preferred.
How Do I Shape and Seal These Pastries Without Leaking Jam?
Sealing puff pastry pockets can be tricky, but here’s how to keep the jam inside:
- Place the jam in the center, not too close to the edges.
- Brush the edges of the bottom square with egg wash to act like glue.
- Top with the heart-cut pastry and gently press the edges with your fingers or a fork for extra seal.
- Avoid overfilling—the jam will bubble and leak if there’s too much.
- Work on a cool surface to keep the pastry from getting too soft.
These steps help keep your love letters neat and delicious with all the jam safely inside!
Equipment You’ll Need
- Baking sheet – I use a standard rimmed baking sheet to hold all the pastries while they bake evenly.
- Parchment paper – Keeps the pastries from sticking and makes cleaning up easier.
- Rolling pin – Helps you roll out the puff pastry smoothly to an even thickness.
- Heart-shaped cookie cutter – Adds the cute heart detail and makes shaping fun.
- Basting brush – For brushing egg wash onto the pastries for a shiny, golden finish.
- Cooling rack – To let the pastries cool without getting soggy on the bottom.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Switch jam flavors: use apricot or blueberry jam for a different fruity taste that pairs well with different fillings.
- Fill with Nutella or chocolate spread instead of jam for a richer, chocolatey surprise.
- Add a touch of cinnamon or vanilla to the jam for extra warmth and flavor.
- Decorate with pink or red icing, edible glitter, or sprinkles to make them extra festive for Valentine’s Day.
Valentines Love Letter Pastries
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
- ½ cup raspberry or strawberry jam (or any berry jam you like)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp water (for egg wash)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Optional: pink royal icing or fondant for decoration
- Optional: small edible hearts for garnish
Time Needed:
This recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare, 15–18 minutes to bake, plus a few minutes to let the pastries cool. So, in under 30 minutes, you’ll have warm, fresh pastries ready to enjoy or gift!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.
2. Cut and Shape the Puff Pastry:
On a lightly floured surface, roll out your puff pastry sheet just enough to smooth it and cut into 4-inch squares. Use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to carefully cut out a heart shape from the center of half of the squares—these will be the lovely top layers showing the jam inside.
3. Add the Jam and Seal the Pastries:
Place about a tablespoon of your chosen jam in the center of the whole pastry squares. Beat your egg with the water to make an egg wash, then lightly brush the edges of the jam-filled squares with it. Place the heart-cut puff pastry squares on top and gently press the edges to seal. You can use the back of a spoon or your fingers to create a pretty envelope-like edge.
4. Bake and Decorate:
Brush the tops of the pastries with more egg wash to give them a shiny, golden look when baked. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, until they puff up nicely and turn golden brown. Once done, let them cool a little on a rack, then dust with powdered sugar. If you want to make them extra special, decorate with pink royal icing or fondant shapes and sprinkle some edible hearts around.
5. Serve and Enjoy:
These pastries taste best warm or at room temperature. Serve with your favorite tea or coffee for a cozy, sweet treat perfect for Valentine’s Day or anytime you want to share a little love.
Can I Use Frozen Puff Pastry for This Recipe?
Yes, frozen puff pastry works great! Just be sure to thaw it completely in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for about 30–40 minutes before rolling it out. This helps it puff up beautifully when baked.
Can I Substitute the Jam with Something Else?
Absolutely! You can use any fruit jam or preserves you like, or try Nutella, cream cheese, or even a chocolate spread for a different twist. Just avoid very runny fillings that might leak during baking.
How Should I Store Leftover Pastries?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To freshen them up, reheat briefly in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes to regain their crispiness.
Can I Make These Pastries Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can assemble the pastries, then freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
