Ingredients
Pastry Dough
- 240g plain flour
- 2 tablespoons caster sugar (plus extra for sprinkling)
- 220g dairy-free block butter (cold and cut into small cubes)
- Ice-water (approximately 1-2 tablespoons)
Filling and Topping
- 1 jar vegan-friendly strawberry jam
- Dairy-free milk (optional, for brushing)
- Icing sugar (for dusting, optional)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, sift together the plain flour and caster sugar to ensure even distribution and a light texture.
- Add Butter: Incorporate the cold, cubed dairy-free butter into the flour mixture. Mix by hand or with a food processor until the mixture resembles coarse sand, which is crucial for a flaky texture.
- Form Dough: Gradually add ice water, half a tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together into a smooth, slightly sticky ball. It typically takes about 1 to 2 tablespoons. Avoid overworking to keep it tender.
- Chill Dough: Wrap the dough tightly in greaseproof paper and place it in the fridge for 30 minutes or until firm. This step prevents sticking when rolling and helps maintain pastry integrity.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 170°C fan (around 338°F) and line two baking trays with greaseproof paper.
- Roll Dough: On a floured sheet of greaseproof paper, roll out the chilled dough between two sheets of floured greaseproof paper into a large rectangle to prevent sticking.
- Cut Shapes: Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into diamond shapes approximately 10 cm on each side. Arrange these diamonds on the prepared baking trays. Use a mini heart-shaped cookie cutter to create small heart shapes from any leftover dough.
- Fill and Fold: Spoon 1 to 2 teaspoons of strawberry jam into the center of each diamond. Fold three corners (both sides and bottom) inward toward the center, forming an open envelope shape, pressing corners to seal in the jam.
- Apply Toppings: Brush the pastries lightly with dairy-free milk for color and adhesion. Gently place a small heart dough cut-out in the center and sprinkle caster sugar on top to enhance crispness and color.
- Bake: Position the trays in the middle of the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastries turn golden brown and crisp on top.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let cool on trays; pastries solidify and crisp upon cooling. Dust with icing sugar before serving, or optionally drizzle with a simple glaze to add extra sweetness and shine.
Notes
- Keep butter cold to achieve a flaky pastry texture.
- Work the dough as little as possible to avoid tough pastry.
- Ice water quantity may vary slightly; add gradually to avoid over-moistening.
- Use dairy-free alternatives to keep the recipe vegan-friendly.
- Sprinkling sugar on top before baking helps achieve a golden and crisp finish.
- Store cooled pastries in an airtight container to maintain their texture for up to 2 days.
- These pastries are perfect fresh but can be gently reheated in the oven to refresh crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegan