Heart Shaped Puff Pastries with Custard and Cherries
Delightful puff pastries filled with creamy custard and topped with fresh cherries, perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
Pastry Base
- 1 sheet puff pastry Store-bought or homemade, buttery and flaky
Custard Filling
- 1/2 cup heavy cream Rich and creamy
- 1/4 cup whole milk Smooth and comforting
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar Sweet and sparkling
- 2 large egg yolks Golden and rich
- 1 tsp vanilla extract Aromatic and warm
- 1 tbsp cornstarch Thickening agent
Toppings
- Fresh cherries, pitted and halved Bright and juicy
- Powdered sugar (optional) For dusting
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a floured surface and cut into heart shapes.
Custard Preparation
- In a mixing bowl, combine egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch.
- In a saucepan, warm the heavy cream and milk until just before boiling.
- Gradually pour the warm milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly.
- Pour the combined mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, then let cool slightly.
Assembly and Baking
- Spoon the slightly cooled custard into the heart-shaped puff pastry, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until golden.
Serving
- Once cooled, top each pastry with fresh cherry halves and dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
For best results, keep butter cold when making pastry and whisk custard constantly to avoid curdling. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.