1. Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s warming up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to keep those pastries from sticking.
2. Unfold your puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface, and smooth out any creases. With a rolling pin, give them a gentle once-over just to even out the thickness.
3. Cut each sheet into six squares, resulting in a total of 12 squares. This size makes for a pastry that’s just right—not too big, not too small.
4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese and a cup of the lemon pie filling until it’s all nice and smooth.
5. Place a dollop of this lemon-cream cheese mixture onto the center of each puff pastry square. Layer another puff pastry square on top.
6. Crimp the edges of your pastries gently with a fork to keep all that lovely filling inside where it belongs.
7. Brush the pastries softly with the beaten egg, ensuring you give them a nice even coat for that golden sheen.
8. Arrange the pastries on the prepared baking sheet, giving them enough room to puff up without sticking to each other.
9. Pop the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-18 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and puffed.
10. Let them cool for a little before giving them a dusting of powdered sugar for a touch of extra sweetness and a picture-perfect finish.
Variations & Tips
– If you’ve got picky little ones or just want to switch things up, you can swap out the lemon pie filling for any other fruit filling—cherry, apple, or even a nice dollop of homemade preserves.
– For a creamier texture, mix a tad more cream cheese into your filling.
– A light drizzle of glaze can be made by whisking powdered sugar with a bit of lemon juice and drizzling it over the pastries once they’ve cooled.
– And if you’re out of parchment paper, no need to worry. Just greasing the baking sheet will do the trick in a pinch.
Remember, darlings, the kitchen is a place of love and experiment, so feel free to make these pastries your own. Enjoy the process and the smiles they’ll bring to your family’s faces.
