sweetheart pastry bites

Who doesn't love a special sweet treat for Valentine's Day? 

I love these super easy and super cute little pastry bites! They are a perfect blend of sweetness and pastry crunch. Heart shaped pie crust, a filling of strawberry jam and sweetened cream cheese then topped with a drizzle of melted white chocolate. Add a dusting of red sprinkles and this is a crowd pleasing Valentine's Day treat!

Here is how you can whip up a sweet batch of your own for the loves in your life!

{sweetheart strawberries and cream pastry bites}

• a recipe for pie crust pastry {or use a shortcut and buy refrigerated pie crust!}
• beaten egg white
• granulated sugar
• strawberry jam
• 3 oz softened cream cheese
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• white chocolate for melting
• red sparkling sugar sprinkles

Roll out the pastry dough on a lightly floured surface. Use a small heart cookie cutter {about 2 inch} to create your little heart pastries. You should be able to get around 40 hearts but this depends greatly on the size of the cutter you use. 

Place on ungreased cookie sheets and brush with the beaten egg white. Sprinkle with granulated sugar to give your hearts a sweet sparkle. 

Bake at 400 degrees for about 7 minutes. Hearts should be just barely browned. 

Allow the hearts to cool and move on to preparing the fillings. 

Mix together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar and almond extract. Stir until smooth. {You can use other extracts here but vanilla would 'tint' the mix more than almond or another clear extract would.}

Assemble the little sandwiches by covering the unsugared halves of the hearts, half with the strawberry jam and the other half with the cream cheese mixture. 

Gently sandwich the halves together.

Melt the white chocolate and drizzle over the assembled bites. 

I love to add my melted chocolate to a small plastic bag and snip the corner to act as a disposable pastry bag. Simply squeeze and drizzle to your hearts content! {But be careful! Melted chocolate is hot!}

While the chocolate drizzle is still warm, sprinkle with the red sparkling sugar. 

Don't they look super yummy?! They look amazing and really aren't that troublesome to make. Just a few steps to a really sweet ending.

One thing I love about this recipe is the variations you can take. You can use any shape cutter to make this fit any holiday or occasion. You can also change up the type of jam and even the flavors of extracts or type of chocolate drizzle! Possibilities are endless!
I have made these for a ladies brunch using a simple circle cutter, raspberry jam and dark chocolate drizzle! Amazingly delicious!!

What are some special treats that you like to whip up for the loves in your life? Leave a link in the comments:)

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Weekend Whatever, Just for Fun Friday, Saturday Show&Tell, The Better Mom Mondays, Monday's Musings, Mama Moments Mondays, Inspire Me Monday, Modest Mom Mondays