Looking for a unique, sweet way to express your love this Valentine’s Day? These Vegan Love Letter Pastries are the perfect way to show someone special how much you care. Not only are they beautifully shaped to look like little envelopes, but they’re also completely plant-based and oh-so-delicious! Soft, flaky, and filled with a sweet berry or fruit filling, these pastries are the ideal treat for any occasion where love is in the air.
These cute little vegan love letters are so easy to make, and trust me, they’ll leave everyone swooning. Whether you’re preparing breakfast in bed, a sweet surprise for a loved one, or just a fun treat for yourself, these pastries are sure to make anyone smile. Let me walk you through this simple yet charming recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
What’s not to love about these vegan love letter pastries? First off, they’re a beautiful way to celebrate love—whether it’s for Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, or just because. Plus, they’re made with simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. The combination of flaky, buttery dough (thanks to the vegan butter!) and a sweet, fruity filling makes each bite irresistible.
But what really makes these pastries special is how versatile they are. You can fill them with any fruit preserves you like—strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, or even a little chocolate spread. They’re the perfect way to get creative and customize your pastries to suit anyone’s taste. And the best part? They’re vegan-friendly, meaning everyone can enjoy them!
You’ll find the full list of ingredients below, but here’s a sneak peek: puff pastry, fruit preserves, powdered sugar, and a touch of love.
Ingredients
For the Pastry:
- 1 sheet of vegan puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons fruit preserves (strawberry, raspberry, or any of your choice)
- 1 tablespoon aquafaba (chickpea brine) or non-dairy milk (for brushing)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
For the Filling:
- Fruit preserves or fruit jam of your choice (about 2 tablespoons per pastry)
Full list of ingredients can be found below in the recipe card.
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Puff Pastry
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Next, roll out your puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. If you’re using store-bought pastry, you’ll need to cut it into squares (about 4×4 inches each). This recipe typically makes 6-8 pastries, depending on the size of your squares.
Step 2: Assemble the Love Letters
To create the love letter shape, you’ll fold each square of pastry into a triangle. Place about 2 tablespoons of fruit preserves in the center of each square, but make sure to leave a small border around the edges to prevent the filling from spilling out when baking.
Fold the top corners of the pastry square toward the center, creating an envelope shape. Then, fold the bottom corners up to meet the top folds. Pinch the edges gently to seal the filling inside, ensuring that the shape holds its form during baking.
Step 3: Brush with Aquafaba or Non-Dairy Milk
Now, for a beautiful golden finish, lightly brush the top of each pastry with a bit of aquafaba (chickpea brine) or non-dairy milk. This will give the pastries that nice golden color when baked, just like egg wash but completely plant-based!
Step 4: Bake the Pastries
Place the assembled pastries on your prepared baking sheet and bake them in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until they’re puffed up and golden brown. The puff pastry should be flaky, and the filling will be all bubbly and delicious!
Step 5: Dust with Powdered Sugar
Once the pastries are done baking, let them cool for a minute or two. Dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a touch of sweetness and extra prettiness. You can also drizzle some extra fruit preserves on top if you’d like.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Chill the puff pastry: If you’re using store-bought puff pastry, it helps to keep it chilled before working with it. This will make it easier to handle and ensure it puffs up nicely when baking.
- Customize the filling: Feel free to get creative with your fillings! You could use fruit preserves, vegan chocolate hazelnut spread, or even a mixture of cinnamon and sugar for a sweet twist.
- Cut corners for quickness: If you’re short on time, don’t worry about making perfect triangle shapes. You can simply fold the pastry into a rectangle and still achieve the same delicious results.
- Make them bite-sized: If you want to make these pastries into bite-sized treats, simply cut the puff pastry into smaller squares, and reduce the baking time to around 10-12 minutes.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Filling options: While fruit preserves are the traditional choice, you can also experiment with other fillings like vegan chocolate spread, coconut cream, or even apple or pear compote for a fall-inspired treat.
- Dough substitution: If puff pastry isn’t your thing, you can use a store-bought or homemade vegan shortcrust pastry instead. The result will be a more crumbly texture, but still delicious!
- Fruit jams: If you prefer to make your own filling, you can simmer fresh fruit with a little sugar and cornstarch to create your own jam-like consistency.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
These Vegan Love Letter Pastries are perfect on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a cup of your favorite tea or coffee. For a romantic breakfast, serve them alongside some fresh fruit, a dairy-free yogurt parfait, or even a refreshing mimosa if you’re celebrating a special morning with your loved one.
For a fun dessert, you can serve these pastries with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of vegan chocolate sauce. These little love letters are versatile enough to be served for any time of day, from breakfast to dessert.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store any leftover pastries in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the unbaked pastries before brushing with aquafaba. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, just pop them straight into the oven from the freezer and bake for an extra 5 minutes or so.
To reheat baked pastries, place them in a warm oven (about 350°F or 175°C) for 5-10 minutes to restore their flaky texture.
4 FAQs
- Can I use a different kind of fruit filling?
Absolutely! These pastries are so versatile, so feel free to swap out the fruit preserves for any jam, jelly, or even a vegan chocolate spread. - Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the pastries the day before and store them in the fridge. Bake them just before serving for a warm, fresh treat. - Can I freeze these pastries?
Yes! You can freeze them before baking. Once frozen, just bake them straight from the freezer—add a few extra minutes to the baking time. - Can I make these without puff pastry?
Yes, you can use other vegan-friendly pastry doughs, like a shortcrust or pie dough, for a different texture. Keep in mind that puff pastry gives them that light and flaky texture, so the result will be a bit different.
Conclusion
These Vegan Love Letter Pastries are a fun and thoughtful way to show someone you care, whether it’s for Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, or just as a sweet gesture. With their flaky, buttery crust and sweet fruit filling, they’re sure to become a new favorite treat. Best of all, they’re vegan, so everyone can enjoy them! Whether you serve them for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or for a romantic dessert, they’re bound to be a hit. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your ingredients, and get ready to share some love in the most delicious way possible!
Print
Vegan Love Letter Pastries
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 8 pastries 1x
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French, American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Vegan Love Letter Pastries are a unique, sweet way to express your love. Shaped like little envelopes, they are filled with fruit preserves and wrapped in flaky vegan puff pastry. Perfect for any occasion, especially Valentine’s Day, these treats are plant-based, easy to make, and utterly delicious.
Ingredients
For the Pastry:
- 1 sheet of vegan puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons fruit preserves (strawberry, raspberry, or any of your choice)
- 1 tablespoon aquafaba (chickpea brine) or non-dairy milk (for brushing)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
For the Filling:
- Fruit preserves or fruit jam of your choice (about 2 tablespoons per pastry)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Pastry: Roll out your puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut it into squares (approximately 4×4 inches).
- Assemble the Love Letters:
- Place about 2 tablespoons of fruit preserves in the center of each square, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Fold the corners to the center, creating an envelope shape, and pinch the edges to seal.
- Brush the Pastries: Brush the top of each pastry with aquafaba or non-dairy milk.
- Bake the Pastries: Place the pastries on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Once baked, cool for a minute, then dust with powdered sugar for a touch of sweetness.
Notes
- Chill the puff pastry to ensure it puffs up nicely during baking.
- Customize the filling to suit your taste, including fruit jams, chocolate spreads, or cinnamon-sugar combinations.
- For bite-sized treats, cut smaller squares of puff pastry and reduce the baking time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pastry
- Calories: 150-200
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 50-70mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0g