Valentine’s Day Nutella Hand Pies with Cream Cheese Pastry

https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/2015/01/26/have-a-heart-valentines-day-hand-pies/

Makes 10 hand pies using a 3 1/2 inch heart cookie cutter, rerolling the dough scraps. Use Nutella or chocolate-hazelnut spread straight from the jar. If you prefer, top the hazelnut spread with a spoonful of strawberry or raspberry preserves.

Cream Cheese Pastry

Ingredients

2 cups flour

½ tsp. salt

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened (I use light cream cheese)

1 cup (2 sticks) cold butter, cut into small cubes

Directions

Pulse all ingredients together in food processor until dough comes together.

Divide into two portions, and shape into flat disks. Wrap each tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes – 1 hour, until firm or overnight. Pull out to warm up briefly before rolling out.

To make hearts:

Cut out your hearts with cookie cutter placing them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Add hazelnut filling in the center of the heart, carefully not to overfill, and brush with some egg wash (egg beaten with a teaspoon of water) around the edges of the filling and top with a pastry heart.

Use a fork to crimp and seal the edges of each pie. Brush tops with additional egg wash and sprinkle with sanding or regular sugar. Bake pies at 400 degrees 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool and serve.