Opens in a new tab

Valentine Love Letter Tart

by Jessie Daye

First published: January 13, 2026 | Updated: June 22, 2026

Transfer the pastry square to the prepared baking sheet (do not leave it on the cutting board like me ) and turn slightly sideways so it looks like a diamond in the center of the baking sheet with one corner pointing towards the top of the baking sheet. Scoop preserves into the center of the pie crust and add a 1/2 cup of raspberries and the sliced strawberries (saving 1 cup raspberries and all of the whole strawberries for finishing after baking). Add lemon zest if using.

Fold the pastry sides like an envelope: bringing both sides over the filling, slightly overlapping in the center. Bring the bottom up and press it down in the center. Press everything gently so it holds its shape.

Valentine Love Letter Tart

Author: Jessie Daye
No ratings yet
Share
Print

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour spooned and leveled, plus more for rolling
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter chilled and cubed
  • ⅔ cup (130g) vegetable shortening chilled
  • ½ cup (120ml) ice-cold water
  • ** You can also use two sheets of store bought pie dough

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. If making the dough from scratch, whisk the flour and salt together in a large bowl. Add the cold butter and shortening and cut them into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of fat. Drizzle in the ice-cold water one tablespoon at a time, gently mixing until the dough begins to come together. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, fold gently until cohesive, then roll into a 12-inch square. Use a ruler to cut the sides with a knife.** You can absolutely use store-bought pie dough. Roll or gently press two sheets together if needed, then trim with a ruler into a neat 12-inch square.
  3. If making the dough from scratch, whisk the flour and salt together in a large bowl. Add the cold butter and shortening and cut them into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of fat. Drizzle in the ice-cold water one tablespoon at a time, gently mixing until the dough begins to come together. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, fold gently until cohesive, then roll into a 12-inch square. Use a ruler to cut the sides with a knife.
  4. ** You can absolutely use store-bought pie dough. Roll or gently press two sheets together if needed, then trim with a ruler into a neat 12-inch square.
  5. Transfer the pastry square to the prepared baking sheet and turn slightly sideways so it looks like a diamond in the center of the baking sheet with one corner pointing towards the top of the baking sheet. Scoop preserves into the center of the pie crust and add a handful of raspberries (about 1/2 cup) and sliced strawberries. Save 1 cup of the raspberries and all of the whole heart shaped strawberries for finishing after baking). Add lemon zest to the center of the preserves if using.
  6. Fold the pastry sides like an envelope: bringing both sides over the filling, slightly overlapping in the center. Bring the bottom up and press it down in the center. Press everything gently so it holds its shape.
  7. Brush the exposed pastry generously with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse Demerara sugar.
  8. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the pastry is a deep golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
  9. Cool slightly before finishing. Add more whole raspberries and strawberries cut into heart shapes. Garnish with edible flowers only. Slice, serve, and enjoy warm or at room temperature with vanilla ice cream.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

Leave the first comment

Recipe Rating




This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.

Hi, I'm Jessie. 

I’m a Los Angeles mama, home renovator, and lifelong creative, sharing the things that make everyday life a little more beautiful. I believe food is one of the best ways to bring people together, which is why I love cooking: it turns an ordinary Tuesday into something worth remembering. From recipes I make on repeat to DIY projects, home design, and a little bit of real life in between — welcome to my corner of the internet. I’m so glad you’re here.

More about Jessie

Let’s be friends!

Be the first to receive exclusive content, hear about upcoming collaborations, and special events!

* indicates required

Intuit Mailchimp