Heart Shaped Puff Pastries with Custard and Cherries
Delightful heart-shaped pastries made with flaky puff pastry, rich custard, and fresh cherries, perfect for romantic occasions or celebrations.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry (store-bought or homemade) Flaky and golden
Custard Ingredients
- 1/2 cup heavy cream Rich and luscious
- 1/4 cup whole milk Creamy and comforting
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar Sweet and delicate
- 2 large egg yolks For richness and depth
- 1 tsp vanilla extract Aromatic and fragrant
- 1 tbsp cornstarch To thicken
Topping
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved Bursting with juicy sweetness
- to taste powdered sugar Optional, for a light, snowy dusting
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a floured surface, roll out the puff pastry sheet to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Cut out heart shapes using a cookie cutter or sharp knife.
Custard Preparation
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth.
- In a separate saucepan, gently heat the cream and milk over medium heat until warm but not boiling.
- Gradually pour the warm milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture while whisking constantly. Return the mixture to the saucepan.
- Cook over medium-low heat, whisking continuously until custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
Assembly and Baking
- Spoon the custard onto the puff pastry hearts leaving a small border around the edges.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, until the puff pastry is golden and crisp.
- Once cooled slightly, top each pastry with fresh cherry halves and dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
Keep an eye on the pastries while baking to avoid overcooking. Let the custard cool sufficiently before adding it to prevent it from running. Use enough flour to prevent sticking while rolling out the dough.