Conversation Heart Pastries

What better way to say “I love you” than putting it on a soft, pillowy pastry! These Conversation Heart Pastries are adorable enough to make all your loved ones be speechless.

Wanna know a secret about me? I used to smuggle Pop-Tarts.

My mom hated to go grocery shopping, and I loved it. So, as soon as I got my drivers license I took over the chore on a fairly regular basis. I’d always add a box of Brown Sugar Cinnamon or Chocolate Pop-Tarts to my cart, but when I got home, I’d have to hide the box in my coat or purse, and sneak it up to my bedroom.

I didn’t want anyone to know the sweet breakfast pastries were in the house. They were mine, all mine. You’ll understand that if you grew up in a family of six with two older brothers, who could eat an entire box of Cap ‘n Crunch cereal in one sitting.

To this day I have a box of Pop-Tarts in my pantry all the time. I actually don’t eat them all that often, I think that box that’s in there now was purchased in the fall. But, knowing they are there, comforts me in a way. When I have a craving, I know I can indulge.

Although I do have a soft spot in my heart for the boxed pastries, they are so easy to make at home and can be decorated for any holiday.

To make these Valentines’ Day pastries, I used my new Chicago Metallic Conversation Heart Cookie Cutter Stamps to leave impressions in the pie dough. Instead of painting red over the letters, like I did when I made my Naturally Colored Conversation Heart Cheesecakes. earlier this week, I just left the letters plain. I think they look great that way and were so much easier.

I used food coloring to paint these hearts, but also experimented with using fruit purees, which worked great too. So, you have two options when making these conversation heart pastries.

Conversation Heart Pastries (makes 16)

Ingredients:

1 box Pillsbury Pie Crusts
fillings of your choice like chocolate hazelnut spread, peanut butter, jam, lemon curd, pie filling
egg wash (one egg mixed with a splash of water)
coloring (either use food coloring or fruit purees)

Supplied Needed:

Chicago Metallic Conversation Heart Cookie Cutter Stamps
rolling pin
pastry brushes and or food use only sponge rollers

Instructions:

Unroll the pie dough. Cut out 32 hearts, using the cutter. Re-roll dough as needed.

Press the stamps into 16 of the hearts, just enough to leave an impression. If the stamps begin sticking, chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes, then try again.

Brush or roll the coloring onto the pie crust hearts then allow the coloring to dry.

I preferred using the sponge roller. I got my rollers from the craft store and use them for food only. A pastry brush will work too, just know the coloring will stain the brush.

I used bottled food coloring but also experimented with fruit purees, and they worked great. So, if you prefer then make and use fruit purees. I have detailed instructions on how to puree fruit on my Naturally Colored Conversation Heart Cheesecake post.

Brush the plain hearts with egg wash, add a teaspoonful of filling in the center, then press a colored heart on top. Pinch the edges together in order to seal them well.

Freeze hearts for 20-30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden brown around the edges. I had a few hearts that did not have any coloring on them, so I used them as my guide. When they looked slightly golden, I pulled them out of the oven. You can bake yours until they are darker, if you prefer them that way.

Serve warm. These are best the day they are made, but can be served cold later or re-heated in a toaster oven. We’ve been eating these all week. I just use the toast setting on my toaster oven to heat them up and they are great.

Items used to create this project that are available on Amazon.com (commission earned for sales)

Other Fun Pastry Ideas

from Hungry Happenings