Valentine Pastries

I have long wanted to make something with puff pastry.  I see it used on The Food Network, and can’t help but wonder what I could make with this amazing stuff.  I also love cherries, and wanted to make a Valentine’s Day treat.  Behold the birth of my Valentine Pastries.

Ingredients

• 1 box puff pastry (I used Pepperidge Farms)
• 1 can cherry pie filling (I made my own, but used barely any, so I would just buy a can in the future)
• A tiny bit of water

Supplies

• Cookie sheet or jelly roll pan
• Parchment paper
• Spoon
• Heart-shaped cookie cutter
• Tiny flower cookie cutter
• Small bowl

Directions

1. Thaw the puff pastry and preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Line the cookie sheet with parchment paper.
3. Unfold/unroll the puff pastry onto the parchment paper.

4. Use the heart cookie cutter to cut the puff pastry.  Remove excess dough (you can save for later, toss, or bake for a snack).

5. Repeat for both sheets.
6. On 1/2 the hearts, use the flower cookie cutter to cut ventilation holes.
7. Fill the small bowl with a little bit of water.  Use your finger to dab water on the edge of one of the hearts without the ventilation holes.
8. Place a small amount of the cherry filling in the middle of the heart you just dabbed with water.

9. Place one of the ventilated hearts on top of the other heart.  Use your finger to press down completely on all edges.

10. Repeat steps 7-9 for all hearts.
11. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.  The pastry should be a golden brown on top.
12. Let cool, then enjoy!