Vegan Puff Pastry Hearts

These Vegan Puff Pastry Hearts are a cute and simple treat for Valentine’s Day! Made easily with puff pastry and a tasty hazelnut spread.

If you are looking for a quick and easy, but still cute and delicious romantic treat, look no further than these Vegan Puff Pastry Hearts ❤️

These heart-shaped puff pastry swirls with hazelnut filling are perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying as a special indulgence all to yourself. Get ready to fall in love with every delicious bite! 🥐❤️🌰

Vegan Puff Pastry Hearts Ingredients

Let’s break down the use of each ingredient in the recipe for heart-shaped puff pastry swirls with hazelnut filling:

Puff Pastry: serves as the base for our heart-shaped swirls. It provides the flaky, buttery layers that make these pastries irresistibly delicious. Using store-bought puff pastry saves time and effort in making the dough from scratch. I find many store-bought products are naturally vegan, but please check before buying to be sure.

Hazelnuts: are the star of our filling. Roasted and blended and then mixed into a delicious thick paste, they add a rich, nutty flavor and luxurious texture to the treats. Use roasted hazelnuts for better flavor, and you can simply grind them yourself in a food processor. You can replace the hazelnuts with other nuts like walnuts or almonds.

Plant-Based Milk: acts as a binding agent and also helps achieve a golden-brown crust on the pastries when brushed on top before baking. It adds moisture to the filling and aids in sealing the edges of the pastry hearts.

Vanilla Sugar: enhances the flavor profile of the hazelnut filling with its sweet and aromatic notes. It adds a hint of warmth and depth to the overall taste of the pastries. You can also skip this ingredient or simply add some vanilla extract instead.

Sugar: is used in combination with vanilla sugar to sweeten the hazelnut filling. It balances out the nutty flavor and complements the sweetness of the puff pastry.

Dark Rum: is an optional ingredient that adds a subtle depth of flavor and complexity to the hazelnut filling. Its rich, caramel-like notes enhance the overall taste profile of the pastries. If preferred, it can be omitted for a non-alcoholic version.

Enjoy baking and savoring these delightful treats!

How to make Vegan Puff Pastry Hearts

Let’s dive into making these delectable hazelnut-filled puff pastry hearts with a touch of flair!

Prepare the Hazelnut Filling:
First up, let’s give those roasted hazelnuts a whirl in the food processor until they’re nice and ground. Next, heat up that plant milk until it’s simmering (but not quite boiling), then pour it over our ground hazelnuts. Add in a dash of vanilla sugar, regular sugar, and if you’re feeling adventurous, a splash of dark rum for that extra oomph. Mix it all up until everything’s perfectly cozy together, and then let it cool off a bit while we get the puff pastry ready.

Preheat the oven:
Preheat the oven to 330°F (170°C) and get that baking tray all lined up with parchment paper, ready to go.

Prep and Roll Out the Puff Pastry:
Now, onto the puff pastry – roll it out on a floured surface until it’s about as thick as a good book. Cut it into two matching rectangles, like a pair of twin blankets for our tasty filling.

Spread and Shape:
Time to spread the love – or, well, the hazelnut filling. Smear it evenly onto one of the puff pastry rectangles, then gently lay the other rectangle on top, like making a puff pastry sandwich. Press it down gently, ensuring the filling stays cozy inside.

A note on puff pastry:
If your pastry happens to have a crack like in the picture above, it could impact the swirling and shaping of the pastry, and the pastry may break off at the crack.

Try ensuring the pastry is perfectly uniform, but it can happen with refrigerated store-bought puff pastry.

Slice and Swirl:
Grab a sharp knife or slicer and cut our pastry sandwich into strips, about an inch wide. Now for the fun part – gently roll each strip into a lovely swirl. They might stretch a bit as you roll, but don’t worry, that’s just them getting excited for their heart-shaped transformation!

Shape into Hearts:
Take each swirled pastry strip and shape it into a heart, securing the ends firmly to seal the pastry and keep it from puffing up too much in the oven. It’s like crafting edible love notes!

Brush and Bake:
Give our pastry hearts a little brush of plant-based milk on top – this will help them brown while baking. Pop them in the oven and let them bake for 15-18 minutes until they’re puffed up and gloriously golden brown.

Cool and Dust:
Once they’ve had their moment in the oven, let the pastry hearts cool off a bit on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. And because every heart deserves a little sparkle, dust them with a sprinkle of icing sugar before serving.

Voila! You’ve just whipped up a batch of hazelnut-filled puff pastry hearts that are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Enjoy every sweet, flaky bite – you’ve earned it! 💕🥐✨

Serving Suggestions

Here are some delightful serving suggestions to complement your heart-shaped puff pastry swirls with hazelnut filling:

Served Warm or at Room Temperature:
These pastries can be enjoyed warm from the oven or at room temperature, depending on your preference. If serving warm, consider reheating them in the oven for a few minutes just before serving to restore their crispiness.

We recommend giving them a day before serving though. Keep them in an air-tight container on the counter so they have time to rest and fully develop the flavor. 

We find they tend to be drier if served immediately, but give them a day of rest, and they are irresistible!

Coffee or Tea Pairing:
Serve these pastries alongside a freshly brewed cup of coffee or aromatic tea for a cozy and indulgent breakfast or afternoon snack. The combination of warm beverages with the buttery, nutty pastries creates a delightful contrast of flavors.

Fresh Fruit Accompaniment:
Add a pop of freshness to your serving platter by including a selection of fresh berries or sliced fruit like strawberries, raspberries, or orange segments. The vibrant colors and juicy sweetness of the fruit beautifully complement the rich, nutty flavors of the pastries.

Whipped Coconut Cream or Vegan Ice Cream:
Elevate your dessert game by serving these pastries with a dollop of whipped coconut cream or a scoop of your favorite vegan ice cream. The creamy texture and subtle sweetness of the coconut cream or ice cream enhance the decadence of the hazelnut filling, creating a luxurious treat.

Garnish with Chocolate Drizzle:
For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle the pastries with melted vegan chocolate before serving. The combination of chocolate and hazelnut is a classic pairing that adds an irresistible richness and decadence to the pastries.

Beautifully Presented on a Platter:
Arrange the pastries on a decorative serving platter or cake stand to showcase their heart-shaped design and golden-brown crust. Add some edible flowers for an extra decorative touch.

Enjoy sharing these delightful treats with family and friends!

Storage tips

To keep your heart-shaped puff pastry swirls fresh and delicious for as long as possible, follow these storage tips:

Room Temperature:
If you plan to enjoy the pastries within 1-2 days, they can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container or sealed bag. Ensure they are completely cooled before storing to prevent condensation.

Refrigeration:
If you live in a warm climate or if you’ve added perishable ingredients like whipped coconut cream or fresh fruit garnishes, it’s best to store the pastries in the refrigerator. Place them in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out.

Freezing:
You can also freeze these puff pastry hearts for longer-term storage. Once cooled completely, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag, separating the layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

Thawing:
When ready to enjoy, thaw frozen pastries in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours. To refresh their crispiness, you can reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warmed through.

Separate Components:
If you’ve added perishable toppings like whipped coconut cream or fresh fruit, consider storing them separately from the pastries and assembling them just before serving to maintain their freshness and texture.

By following these storage tips, you can ensure that your puff pastry hearts stay delicious and enjoyable for as long as possible.

Whether you’re storing them for later indulgence or enjoying them immediately, these treats are sure to bring joy with every bite!

More romantic treat recipes:

No-Bake Vegan Chocolate Pie

Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Coconut Panna Cotta with Strawberry Sauce

Vegan Strawberry Shortcakes

Easy Strawberry Champagne

Orange Raspberry Mimosa Cocktail