Save to Pinterest A romantic and elegant appetizer featuring crisp puff pastry hearts intertwined and filled with creamy goat cheese, sweet roasted peppers, and fresh herbs—perfect for sharing with your loved one.
This appetizer is always a hit during Valentines Day celebrations with my family—the heart shapes add a romantic touch that everyone loves.
Ingredients
- Pastry: 1 sheet (approx. 250 g) all-butter puff pastry, thawed; 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Filling: 120 g fresh goat cheese; 2 tbsp crème fraîche; 1 tbsp honey; 1 tsp lemon zest; 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 60 g roasted red peppers, finely diced; 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped; 1 tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped; Pinch of salt
- Garnish (optional): Microgreens or baby arugula; Extra honey for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare Pastry Hearts:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to a thickness of 3 mm. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter (about 7 cm wide), cut out 16 hearts.
- Place Filling:
- Place 8 hearts on the prepared baking sheet. In the center of each, place a heaping teaspoon of the goat cheese mixture (prepared in the next step), leaving a 1 cm border.
- Mix Filling:
- In a bowl, mix goat cheese, crème fraîche, honey, lemon zest, black pepper, salt, chives, basil, and roasted red peppers until smooth.
- Seal Hearts:
- Brush the border of each heart on the baking sheet with beaten egg. Top with a second heart and gently press the edges to seal. Use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges.
- Decorate:
- Brush the tops of the hearts with more beaten egg. If desired, use a small knife to score delicate patterns.
- Bake:
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. Remove from oven and cool slightly.
- Serve:
- Arrange on a serving platter. Garnish with microgreens and drizzle with a little honey before serving.
Save to Pinterest This dish brings our family together every Valentines Day—sharing these heart-shaped pastries fills the room with love and warmth.
Serving Suggestions
Pair these appetizers with a crisp sparkling rosé or a dry white wine to enhance the flavors.
Storage Tips
These pastries can be prepared ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
Variations
Try adding different herbs such as thyme or tarragon to customize the filling to your taste.
Save to Pinterest 
Enjoy this elegant and delicious appetizer that combines beautiful presentation with amazing flavors.
Common Recipe Questions
- → What type of pastry is best for these hearts?
Use all-butter puff pastry for a flaky and rich texture that bakes up golden and crisp.
- → Can I prepare the filling ahead of time?
Yes, the goat cheese mixture can be made several hours before baking and kept chilled until needed.
- → How can I prevent the pastry from becoming soggy?
Ensure the goat cheese filling is smooth and not overly wet, and bake the pastries until golden and fully puffed.
- → Are there suitable alternatives for goat cheese?
Ricotta or cream cheese can be used as milder substitutes if preferred.
- → What are good serving suggestions?
Serve warm garnished with microgreens or baby arugula, accompanied by a crisp sparkling rosé or dry white wine.