Shelly's Recipe

STRAWBERRY SWEETHEART TART

Category: Tarts

1/2 of a 17-1/4-oz package frozen puff pastry, thawed (1 sheet)
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
1/3 cup sliced almonds, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons sugar
2 3-oz packages cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons amaretto or orange juice
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 cups sliced strawberries
1/4 cup current jelly, melted

On a lightly floured surface roll pastry sheet to a 12-inch square. Cut out an 11-inch heart. Transfer heart to an ungreased baking sheet. Cut excess pastry into 3/4-inch-wide strips.

In a small cup, beat egg and water. Brush egg mixture in a3/4-inch border around top of heart. Twist pastry strips and arrange around top edge of heart to make a border, brushing ends with egg mixture and overlapping strips slightly. Brush pastry with egg mixture.

Prick center of pastry with a fork. Sprinkle pastry with almonds and the 2 tbsp sugar. Bake at 375 for 12 to 15 minutes or until pastry is browned, pricking bottom once with fork if necessary to make it puff evenly. Let tart cool on baking sheet on a wire rack.

In a medium mixing bowl beat cream cheese and the 3 tbsp sugar about 1 minute or until fluffy. Add amaretto or orange juice and vanilla. Beat until thoroughly combined; set aside.

In a chilled mixing bowl beat whipping cream with chilled beaters until soft peaks form. Fold into cream cheese mixture. Spoon filling into cooled pastry shell and spread evenly.

Arrange sliced strawberries over filling, overlapping to cover filling completely. Brush with melted jelly. Cover; chill in the refrigerator up to 2 hours before serving.