Love Letter Pastries

Bake these charming Vegan Love Letter Pastries with a 4-ingredient dough and jam filling. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, tea parties, or edible gifts!

Love Letter Pastries are adorable, homemade treats that blend nostalgia with romance. Shaped like tiny envelopes, these mini hand pies burst with juicy raspberry jam or apple filling, wrapped in a crusty, sugar-sprinkled dough. Perfect for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, or tea parties, they're edible presents that say "I love you" through sweet, irresistible flavors. I crafted a simple recipe using fresh berries and vegan swaps for buttery dough—ideal for family activities with little helpers. Fold, fill, and bake for gorgeous results that melt in your mouth, whether shared with mom, friends, or someone special.

These delicious pastries thrive on simplicity and fun. Assemble them quickly with store-bought crust or homemade dough, fold them into envelope shapes, and carefully seal them. Thanks to their pink color and aesthetics, add a mint leaf or whipped cream for presentation. They're vegan-friendly, romantic, and perfect for social gatherings—YAY to easy recipes that show love without procrastination!

Why These Pastries Feel Like a Warm Hug

Love Letter Pastries are delicious, vegan-friendly treats that balance fun and simplicity. I've baked these for Valentine's Day brunches, Mother's Day surprises, and cozy tea parties—they never fail to melt in the mouth and spark joy.

The Recipe: Effortless & Inclusive

• Super easy to make, even for beginners.
• Uses easy-to-find, simple ingredients like GF flour blend for a gluten-free twist.
• The one-ingredient filling (hello, leftover jam!) saves time and reduces waste.
• Perfect as party food or a tasty snack—ideal for busy schedules.

The Magic in Every Bite

• The light, flaky crust has a buttery richness that melts in your mouth.
• A generous, sweet, fruity jam oozes each bite, creating irresistible sensory descriptions.
• Customize with seasonal berries or apples for adorable, gorgeous results.

Ingredients for Love Letter Pastries

• 1 package store-bought puff pastry (or homemade dough, rolled to ⅛-inch thickness)
• ½ cup strawberry jam (or Nutella, fig jam, etc.)
• 1 large egg (beaten, for egg wash)
• 1 tbsp milk or ice water (mixed with egg wash)
• Flour (for dusting surfaces)
• Icing sugar or coarse sugar (for dusting/sprinkling, optional)

Tools needed: Baking tray, parchment paper, sharp knife or pizza cutter, pastry brush, mini heart cookie cutter (optional).

The Foolproof Path to Perfect Pastries

Love Letter Pastries are SUPER quick and easy to make—even kids can join in! Here's how I've mastered this step-by-step process over years of baking (and a few creative disasters).

Prep Like a Pro

• 🔥Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• 🧊Thaw store-bought puff pastry according to the package instructions, or roll out homemade dough on lightly floured grease-proof paper.
• 🟧 Cut into equal squares (I use a sharp knife for 5 ⅛ x 5 ⅛ inch / 13 x 13 cm pieces). 

Pro tip: 

• 🔶Rotate the pastry into diamond shapes for that envelope look!

Shape, Fill, & Fold

• 🍓Spoon strawberry jam (or Nutella, fig jam, etc.) into the center—don't overfill!
• 💌Fold the left and right sides toward the center, then bring up the bottom flap and tuck the upper flap down. 

• ❤️Use a mini heart cookie cutter to stamp heart️ shapes from leftover crusts for decoration.

• 🥚Brush edges with egg wash (mix beaten eggs with milk or ice water) to seal and prevent leaks.

Bake & Serve

• ♨️Place prepared pastries on a lined baking tray and bake until golden and flaky (~15 mins).

• 🍯❄️Dust with icing sugar or sprinkle coarse sugar for shine. 
• 🍽️Serve warm—yum yum!

🔥 Baking Hacks for Flaky Perfection

• Bake at 150°C (with a fan) for even heat. Line a baking sheet with parchment to prevent the cake from sticking.
• Let pastries cool on a wire rack to retain crispness. If the edges brown too quickly, cover with foil packets.

🛠️ Techniques I Swear By

• Fold the dough into squares or scrunch for a "crumpled love note" look. Stuffing requires a light hand—overfilling leads to leaks!
• For fluffiness, keep butter cold and avoid softened dough. A teaspoon of filling is ideal for mini pastries.

Love Letter Pastries: Variations and Substitutions

🍓 Sweet & Savory Fillings to Spark Joy

• Jam, fruits, and preserves are classic choices—think strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or apricots. For a decadent twist, add chocolate chips or Nutella.
• Go savory with cheese, herbs, ham, caramelized onions, mushrooms, or scrambled eggs. I once surprised guests with smoked salmon and cream cheese pastries—they vanished instantly!
• Raspberry filling and apple pies are nostalgic, but peach pie or blackberries add summer vibes. For a cozy touch, don't shy away from bananas or compote.

🥐 Dough & Crust Magic

• Use homemade pie crust or store-bought puff pastry for ease. I prefer butter-based dough for that flaky texture.
• Roll the dough thicker for a rustic look. A pro tip: Brush the edges with melted butter or egg wash to ensure sealing and a golden crust.

✨ Glazes, Garnishes & Pretty Touches

• Dust with icing sugar or a powdered sugar glaze mixed with milk. A drizzle of melted butter post-bake adds richness.
• Garnish with fresh berries, mint, or edible flowers. For holidays, I use whipped cream or squished fruit designs.

Love Letter Pastries: Best Served With

🍇 Fresh Fruits & Decadent Toppings

• Pair warm pastries with fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a burst of color.
• Drizzle with melted butter or dust with icing sugar/powdered sugar for a delicate glaze. My go-to? A teaspoon of Nutella swirled on top!
• For a cozy twist, serve alongside compote (try squished berries or apricot) or whipped cream—it’s like a hug in dessert form.

🧀 Savory Companions for Balance

• Pair warm pastries with fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a burst of color.
• Drizzle with melted butter or dust with icing sugar or powdered sugar for a delicate glaze. My go-to? A teaspoon of Nutella swirled on top!
• For a cozy twist, serve alongside compote (try squished berries or apricot) or whipped cream—it's like a hug in dessert form.

☕ Beverage Pairings That Shine

• Tea party vibes? Serve with floral Earl Grey or fruity herbal blends.
• For mornings, match apple pies or peach pie pastries with spiced coffee. Kids adore chocolate chip-filled ones with cold milk!

🌿 Garnish & Presentation Tricks

• For rustic charm, garnish plates with mint leaves, edible flowers, or a crumpled foil packet (yes, I've done this at picnics!).
• Use a wire rack to cool pastries, keeping the crust crisp and preventing sogginess.

Storage & Reheating Hacks

• Revive day-old pastries: Bake at 150°C (with a fan) for 3–5 minutes on a baking sheet to catch drips from fillings like raspberry or jam.
• Freezing: Store unbaked pockets in an airtight container—bake straight from frozen for impromptu cravings!
• Freshness: Keep pastries in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Loved this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below, snap a photo of your flaky creations, and share your twist—did you go sweet with raspberry jam or savory with caramelized onions?

📸 Pin it for later (that recipe card button is magic!) and drop a comment to spread the baking joy. Thanks for making hearts—and ovens—warm! 🥐💖