Vegan Love Letter Pastries
Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to express your love and appreciation for someone special, and what better way to do so than with a thoughtful and delicious homemade treat? If you’re searching for a unique, fun, and delectable way to celebrate, Vegan Love Letter Pastries are an excellent choice. These mini hand pies are shaped like love letters, filled with strawberry jam, and sealed with a heart, making them the ultimate expression of affection. Not only are they incredibly tasty, but they’re also easy to make and can be customized for various occasions. Whether you’re baking for your partner, friends, or even as a sweet gesture for yourself, these pastries are bound to impress.
Why You’ll Love Vegan Love Letter Pastries
These Vegan Love Letter Pastries are more than just a treat; they are an experience. Made with a buttery, flaky pastry and a sweet strawberry jam filling, these pastries melt in your mouth with each bite. Here’s why you’ll love them:
- Vegan-Friendly: No animal products here, making them suitable for a variety of dietary preferences.
- Simple to Make: You don’t need to be a seasoned baker to make these hand pies. The recipe is straightforward and involves just a few easy steps.
- Delicious Flaky Pastry: Moreover, the homemade shortcrust pastry is rich, buttery, and perfectly crisp.
- One-Ingredient Filling: The filling is just strawberry jam—easy and sweet!
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Additionally, these pastries are great for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, tea parties, or any special event.
- Fun to Make: They’re so fun to prepare, and kids will love getting involved with shaping the pastries and filling them with jam.
Ingredients of Vegan Love Letter Pastries
To make these Vegan Love Letter Pastries, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 🥣 Plain Flour (for the pastry)
- 🧁 Caster Sugar (to sweeten the pastry dough)
- 🧈 Dairy-Free Block Butter (cold, for the buttery pastry)
- ❄️ Ice Water (to ensure the pastry remains flaky)
- 🍓 Strawberry Jam (store-bought or homemade)
- 🥛 Dairy-Free Milk (for brushing the pastry before baking)
- 🍬 Icing Sugar (for dusting the pastries after baking)
Necessary Tools:
These are the essential tools you’ll need to prepare the recipe:
- Rolling pin
- Sharp knife
- Mini heart-shaped cookie cutter
- Piping bag (optional for filling)
- Baking tray
- Greaseproof paper
- Pastry brush
Ingredient Swaps and Additions:
Here are some suggestions for customizing the recipe to fit your tastes or dietary needs:
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap the plain flour with a gluten-free flour blend, such as Doves Farm, to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Jam Flavors: Moreover, while strawberry jam works wonderfully, feel free to experiment with other jam flavors such as raspberry, cherry, or blueberry.
- Dairy-Free Butter: If you can’t find dairy-free block butter, you can use any vegan butter substitute of your choice. Some brands like Naturli Vegan Block or Flora Plant Block Alternative work best for flaky pastries.
- Sweeteners: If you prefer a less sweet pastry, reduce the amount of caster sugar in the dough, or try using coconut sugar as an alternative.
- Add More Flavor: Additionally, you can add a splash of vanilla extract to the pastry dough for a hint of extra flavor.
Additionally, for another festive treat, you can try these delicious Red Velvet Sugar Cookies for a sweet twist on the classic flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions of Vegan Love Letter Pastries
- Prepare the Pastry:
- Start by rolling out the dairy-free shortcrust pastry between two sheets of lightly floured greaseproof paper. Then, roll it thin, but not too thin (around ¼-inch thickness).
- Cut the Dough:
- Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into a diamond shape, around 10 cm (4 inches) each side. After that, place the diamond-shaped dough onto a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper.
- Cut the Heart Shapes:
- Then, take the leftover dough and use a mini heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out small heart shapes. These will be used to seal the love letter.
- Fill with Jam:
- Either pipe or spoon a small amount of strawberry jam in the center of each diamond-shaped pastry. Be careful not to overfill, as it may cause the pastry to burst.
- Shape the Love Letters:
- After that, fold in the left, right, and bottom flaps of the diamond shape, mimicking the folds of a love letter envelope. Leave the top flap open. Thereafter, brush the edges with dairy-free milk and press the small heart cut-out onto the center to seal it shut.
- Add the Sugar:
- Then, brush the top of each pastry with a bit more dairy-free milk and sprinkle caster sugar over the top.
- Bake the Pastries:
- After that, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Then, bake the pastries for 15–20 minutes or until golden brown and flaky.
- Serve:
- Finally, let the pastries cool slightly before dusting them with icing sugar for an extra sweet finish. Then, serve warm or at room temperature.
Pro Tips for Success:
- Chill the Dough: If your dough is too soft to work with, chill it in the fridge for 10–15 minutes to make it easier to handle.
- Perfect Seals: Moreover, ensure the edges of the pastry are properly sealed before baking, so the jam doesn’t leak out.
- Flaky Pastry: For a crispier texture, don’t skip the ice water step when making the dough. Cold fat is key to flaky layers.
- Serving Tip: Serve these pastries at a Valentine’s Day tea party, or pair them with a cup of warm tea or coffee for a lovely afternoon treat.
Serving Suggestions:
- Tea Party: Serve these pastries alongside other vegan treats like Vegan Raspberry Cake or Classic Vegan Air Fryer Doughnuts for a lovely Valentine’s Day tea party.
- Gift Idea: Moreover, package the pastries in cute gift boxes or tie them up with a ribbon for a personalized Valentine’s gift.
- Breakfast Delight: Additionally, these love letter pastries also make a great addition to a romantic breakfast or brunch spread.
Storing and Reheating:
- Storing: Keep any leftover pastries in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Freezing: To freeze, wrap the cooled pastries individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month.
- Reheating: Moreover, reheat the pastries in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–7 minutes until warmed through and crispy.
Nutritional Information of Vegan Love Letter Pastries:
- Calories: 200–220 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 10g
- Sugar: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
FAQs:
- Can I make these vegan love letter pastries gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the plain flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make the pastries gluten-free. - Can I use other types of jam?
Absolutely! Feel free to use any fruit jam of your choice, like raspberry, blueberry, or even apricot. - How do I prevent the jam from spilling out?
Make sure the pastry edges are securely sealed before baking. If you’re worried, you can also freeze the filled pastries before baking to ensure the jam sets in place. - Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before rolling and baking. - How do I get the perfect flaky texture?
Keep the fat (butter) cold throughout the process and use ice-cold water for the dough. This ensures a flaky, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Conclusion:
Vegan Love Letter Pastries are the perfect sweet treat to show your love this Valentine’s Day or on any occasion that calls for a little extra sweetness. With their easy-to-follow instructions and minimal ingredients, these flaky hand pies filled with strawberry jam are sure to impress anyone lucky enough to enjoy them. Whether you’re preparing them for a special someone or as a fun family baking project, these pastries will bring joy and love to every bite. Don’t forget to experiment with different jams or fillings, and enjoy the process of baking these adorable love letter pastries from scratch!
Moreover, if you’re looking for more heart-shaped treats to celebrate the occasion, check out these delightful Heart-Shaped Cookies.
Vegan Love Letter Pastries
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the Pastry:
- Roll out the dairy-free shortcrust pastry between two sheets of lightly floured greaseproof paper to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Cut the Dough:
- Cut the dough into diamond shapes, each about 10 cm (4 inches) long. Place them onto a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper.
- Cut the Heart Shapes:
- Use a mini heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out small heart shapes from the leftover dough.
- Fill with Jam:
- Spoon or pipe a small amount of strawberry jam into the center of each diamond-shaped pastry.
- Shape the Love Letter:
- Fold the left, right, and bottom flaps of the pastry over the jam, leaving the top flap open. Brush the edges with dairy-free milk and press the heart cut-out onto the middle to seal.
- Sugar the Pastry:
- Brush the top with dairy-free milk and sprinkle caster sugar over the top.
- Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden brown and flaky.
- Serve:
- Once cooled, dust the pastries with icing sugar and serve.
Notes
Filling Options: You can use any fruit jam of your choice, such as raspberry, blueberry, or apricot.
Dough Tip: Chill the dough in the fridge for 10–15 minutes if it becomes too soft to work with.
Sealing Tip: Make sure the pastry edges are sealed properly to prevent the jam from leaking out while baking.
