Hearts Delight Recipes

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface, roll each puff pastry sheet into a 12 inch square.
• Place on ungreased cookie sheets.
• (Original recipe calls for: "Using an 11 inch heart pattern, cut each pastry into a heart shape" - either way works well).
• Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. (Do not underbake - it's a good idea to check your oven temperature. If underbaked, the pastry will fall.).
• Remove to wire rack to cool.
• Meanwhile, whisk milk and pudding mix until thickened, 1-2 minutes.
• In a mixing bowl, beat cream and 1/2 t vanilla until stiff peaks form. Carefully fold into pudding until consistent color but do not over stir.
• Split puff pastry sheets horizontally with a serrated knife.
• Place one layer on a serving plate and top with 1/3 of the pudding mixture.
• Repeat twice.
• Top with remaining pastry.
• In a small bowl combine confectioners sugar, water, almond extract and remaining vanilla and stir until smooth. (If necessary you can use a few drops more water if you find it difficult to spread but do not thin too much or you lose the white color which adds to its appearance).
• Carefully spread over top of dessert.
• Melt chocolate chips and shortening. Pipe in diagonal lines in one direction over frosting (if you don't have tips for piping, place in a plastic zip lock baggie,seal the bag and cut a small piece off the corner of the baggie to do the piping).
• Refrigerate until set - (remove from fridge about 15-20 minutes before serving to soften the top for easy cutting)
• This holds well overnight but we never seem to have any leftovers to keep any longer than that!

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in water and extract until mixture forms a ball. , On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a lightly floured 2-1/2-in. cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. , Bake at 325° for 13-16 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. Dip one side of cookies in candy coating; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set.