Indulge your loved ones this Valentine's Day with something quick, healthy, and bursting with flavor! Our Valentines Love Letter Pastries are the perfect way to say "I love you" without spending hours in the kitchen. I remember baking these with my grandmother every year as a child and now it's a lovely tradition I continue with my partner. It's more than just a pastry; it's a shared moment, a sweet message, and a taste of love.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Years ago, I travelled to Italy and walked into a little bakery in Venice. The aroma of freshly baked pastries filled my senses. It was there I first tasted something similar to Valentines Love Letter Pastries. With a little tweaking, I was able to recreate it at home, making it a quick and easy version I could share with everyone. Now, every Valentine's Day, it transports me back to that little bakery and I feel the same warmth and excitement all over again.
Ingredients
- For the Pastry Dough:
- 1 sheet (14.1 oz) puff pastry, thawed
- For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- zest of 1/2 lemon
- For Glaze and Decoration:
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
- Pink or red food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles, edible glitter, or chopped nuts (for decoration)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the Filling: In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth and creamy.
- Prepare the Pastry: Gently unfold the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface.
- Shape the Letters: Cut the puff pastry into rectangles. Cut each rectangle to resemble the shape of an envelope/letter, or any shape you prefer.
- Add Filling: Place a spoonful of the ricotta filling in the center of half of the cut pastry shapes.
- Seal and Bake: Top each filled pastry with another pastry shape. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Pierce the top of each pastry with a fork to allow steam to escape.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed up.
- Make the Glaze: While the pastries cool, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Add food coloring, if desired.
- Decorate: Once the pastries are cool, drizzle with glaze and immediately sprinkle with your favorite decorations.
- Serve: Enjoy Valentines Love Letter Pastries warm or at room temperature. Share the love!
Valentines Love Letter Pastries
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth and creamy.1/2 cup ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 lemon zest
- Gently unfold the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface.1 sheet (14.1 oz) puff pastry
- Cut the puff pastry into rectangles. Cut each rectangle to resemble the shape of an envelope/letter, or any shape you prefer.1 sheet (14.1 oz) puff pastry
- Place a spoonful of the ricotta filling in the center of half of the cut pastry shapes.1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- Top each filled pastry with another pastry shape. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Pierce the top of each pastry with a fork to allow steam to escape.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed up.
- While the pastries cool, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Add food coloring, if desired.1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons milk, food coloring
- Once the pastries are cool, drizzle with glaze and immediately sprinkle with your favorite decorations.sprinkles
- Enjoy Valentines Love Letter Pastries warm or at room temperature. Share the love!