Strawberry Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Tart

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet of puff pastry dough (thawed if frozen)
• 4 oz (1/2 cup) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and chopped
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• Powdered sugar for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roll out one sheet of store bought puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut into small rectangles or squares. I usually divide it to make 12 rectangles. Trim the edges to create a neat shape if desired.
3. Using a dull knife or butter knife, outline the edges of the rectangles, creating a 1/4 or 1/2-inch border on all sides. This helps after baking to push the pastry in the middle for the cream cheese and strawberry mixture.
4. Place the puff pastry rectangles onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake the pastry in the preheated oven.
6. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar. Mix until smooth and well combined.
7. When the pastry starts to puff, take the baking sheet out of the oven. Let it cool down a bit. Press the center of the pastry, leaving the borders untouched.
8. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the center of the half-baked puff pastry.
9. In another bowl, gently toss the chopped fresh strawberries with a little extra sugar to sweeten them slightly.
10. Scatter the sweetened strawberries over the cream cheese layer on the puff pastry.
11. Bake until the puff pastry is golden brown and completely puffed up.
12. Remove the tart from the oven and allow it to cool slightly.
13. Once cooled, add one thinly sliced strawberry shaped like a heart on top.
14. Dust the top of the tart with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Enjoy!

This dessert combines the buttery flakiness of puff pastry with the creamy sweetness of cream cheese and the freshness of ripe strawberries. It’s perfect for a sweet treat or dessert, especially when strawberries are in season.