Flaky Strawberry Bites (Printable Version)
Crisp layers of puff pastry hold a smooth cream cheese filling, fresh strawberry slices, and a homemade berry topping. They’re fun, fancy, and sneakily simple!
# Ingredients:
→ Pastry Essentials
01 -
1 store-bought sheet of puff pastry
→ Strawberry Sauce
02 -
1 cup of sliced strawberries
03 -
1/4 cup sugar
04 -
1/4 cup lemon juice
→ Creamy Filling
05 -
8 oz cream cheese
06 -
1/3 cup of sugar
07 -
1/2 cup of heavy cream
08 -
2 tsp vanilla extract
09 -
1/4 to 1/2 tsp almond extract
→ Decoration and Assembly
10 -
Extra fresh strawberries, sliced
11 -
Powdered sugar for sprinkling
# Steps:
01 -
Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Get a cookie sheet ready with parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat.
02 -
Divide the puff pastry into 6 equal rectangles. Lay them on the prepped tray, then bake for about 10-15 minutes until golden and puffed up.
03 -
While the pastry bakes, put sliced strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Heat on medium to soften the fruits. Mash them up with a fork or masher, then lower the heat and cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring often so it doesn’t burn.
04 -
Combine cream cheese and sugar in a medium bowl using a mixer until smooth (1-2 minutes). Pour in the heavy cream and mix again till fluffy (around 1-2 minutes). Add almond and vanilla extracts, then mix for another minute.
05 -
Once the pastry cools, slice them in half horizontally. Spread the cream mixture on the bottom half, add fresh strawberry slices, and top with a spoonful of the strawberry sauce. Cover with the top half of the puff.
06 -
Use a sieve to dust powdered sugar on top. Serve right away and enjoy every bite.
# Notes:
01 -
These flaky strawberry treats take after the 1980s dessert Pick-Em-Ups by Drake's.
02 -
To get the best texture, keep your puff pastry chilled while working with it. If it warms up, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes.
03 -
You can make the strawberry compote in advance. It stays fresh in the fridge for up to 7 days.
04 -
If you're in a rush, swap out the homemade compote for pre-made strawberry jam.