These Nutella Puff Pastry Hearts are exactly that—a sweet indulgence that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat. With a crisp golden exterior and a luscious chocolate-hazelnut filling, they strike a perfect balance between simplicity and decadence. Whether you’re making a surprise breakfast, a romantic dessert, or just craving something sweet and easy, these little hearts fit the moment.
A Shortcut Worth Embracing: Puff Pastry
Store-bought puff pastry is the real hero here. It delivers bakery-level flakiness without the time-consuming process of making laminated dough from scratch. Rectangular sheets work best for shaping these pastries into hearts, but if round is what you have, a bit of trimming will do the trick.
Highlighting the Ingredients with Descriptive Flair
Puff Pastry Sheet
The foundation of the recipe. Choose an all-butter puff pastry if possible—it bakes up with the richest flavor and crispiest texture. Thawed but still cool is ideal when working with it, so you can shape it easily without the layers sticking together.
Nutella (or any chocolate-hazelnut spread)
This is your filling and flavor powerhouse. Nutella spreads easily, melts beautifully during baking, and delivers that signature creamy, chocolatey nuttiness. Feel free to substitute with a different spread—dark chocolate, cookie butter, or a vegan hazelnut alternative all work depending on your needs.
Powdered Sugar
Just a dusting to finish, but it makes a big visual and flavor difference. That delicate sweetness on top balances the richness of the filling and adds a touch of elegance.
Step-by-Step: Making Nutella Puff Pastry Hearts
1. Prepare the Puff Pastry
Start with a thawed rectangular puff pastry sheet. Lay it flat on a lightly floured surface or parchment paper. Use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to divide the sheet into eight even rectangles.
2. Spread the Nutella
Spoon Nutella onto each rectangle. A generous tablespoon works well—just enough to cover the surface without spilling over when rolled. Leave a small border along the edges to prevent leaks.
3. Roll & Shape
Working from the long side, roll each rectangle tightly into a cylinder, just like you would for cinnamon rolls. Now, take each cylinder and gently bring the two ends together so they meet. Pinch lightly to hold the shape, forming a teardrop or loop.
4. Chill Before Cutting
Pop the pastry loops into the freezer for 5–6 minutes. This firms up the dough slightly, making it much easier to slice cleanly. Once chilled, cut each loop in half vertically to reveal the heart shape.
5. Bake Until Golden
Place the pastry hearts cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (about 355°F) for 20 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. The Nutella may bubble slightly at the edges—this is normal and adds a bit of caramelized flavor.
6. Dust & Serve
Once they’ve cooled for a few minutes, finish with a light dusting of powdered sugar. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Serving Ideas
These pastries are delicious on their own, but if you want to elevate them further, serve alongside fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a drizzle of extra Nutella. They also pair nicely with coffee, especially a rich espresso or cappuccino.
Storage and Leftovers
Nutella Puff Pastry Hearts are best the day they’re baked, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To re-crisp, place them in a warm oven (around 150°C or 300°F) for a few minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving, as it softens the pastry and can make it soggy.
For longer storage, freeze the unbaked hearts after shaping. Lay them on a tray until frozen, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the cooking time.
Nutella Puff Pastry Hearts
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry Use an all-butter puff pastry for the best results.
- to taste Nutella Adjust Nutella according to your preference.
- powdered sugar sugar For dusting.
Instructions
Instructions
- Lay the puff pastry flat and cut it into 8 equal rectangles.
- Spread Nutella generously on each rectangle, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Roll each rectangle tightly from the long side, pinching the edges to seal.
- Form a heart shape by bringing the ends of the cylinder together and pinching lightly.
- Freeze for 5–6 minutes to firm up the pastry.
- Slice each heart in half vertically to reveal the Nutella.
- Bake at 180°C (355°F) for 20 minutes until golden and puffed up.
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve.
Notes
- For a crispier pastry, use an all-butter puff pastry sheet.
- If you prefer a more intense chocolate flavor, use a darker chocolate hazelnut spread.
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