Berry Patriotic Stars

4^th of July is coming up which in Texas means hot weather, watermelon, grilling, parades and fireworks! This year we are keeping with tradition and running a 5k In the morning, grilling for lunch and may saunter over to Flat Creek Estate’s Vinopalooza in the afternoon and of course fireworks in the evening…even if it’s just in the neighborhood. Let’s hope the puppies do better than New Year’s Eve!

When it’s hot I hate using the stove or oven for more than just a few minutes. This treat only requires a few minutes of stove time and a few minutes of oven time. The puff pastry makes this really easy and the results are awesome. Better still there’s only 6 ingredients and 1 is optional!

Ingredients:

1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed

10 medium strawberries (for 2), diced

1 tbsp. honey

¼ cup half and half

1 tsp. sugar plus more for sprinkling

1 egg white, beaten (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray cookie sheet with non-stick spray.
Lay out puff pastry on a large cutting board. If it’s too sticky add a little flour to the surface.
Use cookie cutter to cut out shape of star or Texas, will need 2 cut outs per dessert. On one of the stars, cut out a heart in the center.
On the greased cookie sheet, place the bottom then the one with the heart cut out. Press down the edges and proof with a fork. Add egg wash (if desired) and sprinkle with additional sugar.
Bake for 10 minutes or follow directions on package. Let cool for 3 minutes.
While baking add strawberries and honey to a small saucepan and heat over medium stirring periodically. They strawberries will start to break down and become jam-like (about 10 minutes0.
While the strawberries are simmering, put half and half in a small bowl with sugar and beat until foamy. It will not whip up like whipped cream because the fat content is too low.
To assemble, place puff pastry on a plate and fill cavity with strawberries (may need to push down the inside), spoon over frothy half and half and garnish with berries.