There’s something undeniably sweet about a dessert you can pull apart with your hands—especially when it’s shaped like a heart and filled with warm Nutella. This pull-apart heart pastry is one of those recipes that looks straight out of a bakery window but secretly comes together with store-bought puff pastry and just a handful of ingredients. It’s romantic without being fussy, indulgent without being heavy, and absolutely perfect for sharing.
I love making this for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, brunch with friends, or even just a cozy weekend when you want something a little extra special. The flaky layers puff up beautifully in the oven, the Nutella melts into the center, and the raspberry jam adds just enough brightness to balance the richness. It’s the kind of dessert people gather around, tearing off warm twists and going back for “just one more piece.”
And yes—it’s as gorgeous as it sounds. This is a save-worthy, share-worthy pastry if there ever was one. ❤️
Before You Begin – Here’s What You’ll Need:
Tips for Perfect Results
This recipe is simple, but a few small tips make all the difference.
- Keep the puff pastry cold. Let it thaw just until workable, but don’t let it get warm or sticky. Cold pastry = better puff and flakier layers.
- Roll gently. You’re not trying to make it thinner, just slightly larger than your heart template. Over-rolling can flatten those lovely layers.
- Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Clean cuts help the pastry bake evenly and look neat when twisted.
- Don’t cut all the way through the center. Leaving the middle intact is what keeps the heart together and gives you that pull-apart effect.
- Twist evenly. One full rotation per strip is perfect. Too many twists can make the pastry dense instead of light and airy.
- Bake until deeply golden. Pale puff pastry won’t have the same crisp texture or flavor. Let it get beautifully golden brown.
Pull-Apart Heart Pastry with Nutella and raspberry
- Total Time: 1 h 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Ingredients
2 sheets Frozen Puff Pastry 1 box, 17 oz total
1/2 cup Nutella
1 Egg
Powdered Sugar
1/3 cup Raspberry Jam
Instructions
1. Thaw the puff pastry for about 45 minutes on counter until soft enough to roll out, but still very cold.
2. Meanwhile, cut a heart template from paper that is about 11 inches tall and wide.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
4. Unfold one piece of pastry onto a piece of parchment paper and roll it out slightly until it’s just bigger than the heart. You can cut off one corner of the pastry and place it along the bottom to accommodate the bottom of the heart.
5. Use the tip of a sharp knife (or a pizza cutter) to cut out the heart, and repeat with the other pastry.
6. Place one heart on a cookie sheet (still on parchment paper). Spread it with 1/2 cup Nutella. Top with the other heart. Optional: use a small heart cookie cutter to make a heart shape in the center of the heart.
7. Make cuts from the edge of the heart almost to the middle, about 1 inch apart (or to the heart shape you made with the cookie cutter), all the way around the heart. Leave the pieces attached in the middle.
8. Twist each piece one full rotation as shown in the blog post.
9. Beat one egg with 1 tablespoon water and brush over surface of heart.
10. Bake 20 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
11. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and drizzle with jam if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
12. Pastry tastes best if eaten within a few hours.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Variations and Serving Ideas
This heart pastry is wonderful as-is, but it’s also a great base for creativity.
- Swap the filling: Try chocolate hazelnut spread with strawberry jam, cookie butter, or even sweetened cream cheese.
- Add fresh raspberries: Scatter a few finely chopped berries over the Nutella for a slightly fresher bite.
- Make it extra elegant: Drizzle with melted chocolate instead of jam and finish with a dusting of powdered sugar.
- Holiday twist: Use this shape for Valentine’s Day, but cut it into a star for Christmas or a flower for spring brunches.
- Serve it warm: Pair with coffee, hot chocolate, or a glass of milk for the ultimate cozy treat.
Placed in the center of the table, this pastry becomes a dessert experience—everyone reaches in, pulls off a twist, and smiles.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This pastry is best enjoyed the same day, ideally within a few hours of baking, when the puff pastry is at its flakiest.
- Room temperature: You can leave it out for a few hours, lightly covered.
- Reheating: If needed, warm briefly in a 300°F oven for a few minutes to refresh the pastry.
- Make-ahead: You can assemble the heart, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for a few hours before baking. Brush with egg wash right before it goes into the oven.
- Freezing: Not recommended after baking—the texture of puff pastry is best fresh.
Final Encouragement
If you’re looking for a dessert that feels loving, indulgent, and just plain fun to make, this pull-apart heart pastry is it. It’s one of those recipes that looks impressive without asking much of you—and those are the ones worth keeping close.
Bake it for someone you love, bake it for a celebration, or bake it just because you’re craving something warm, flaky, and chocolate-filled. And if it makes its way onto your favorites board or gets shared with friends, even better. Some desserts are meant to be passed around—one sweet twist at a time. 💕🥐