This Is What “Hosting” Looks Like on a Random Weekday
You make little treats just because you love them
When people hear the word hosting, they often picture a table set for guests, candles lit, something bubbling on the stove. And while I love those moments deeply, that’s not the only way hosting shows up in our home.
Sometimes hosting looks like a random weekday afternoon.
No plans. No guests. No reason at all—except love.
It looks like pulling a box of puff pastry from the freezer because you know your husband has a soft spot for strudels. It looks like a three-year-old climbing onto her stool, carefully holding a cookie cutter with both hands, and insisting she can do it all by herself. It looks like flour on the counter, sprinkles on the floor, and a quiet little moment that somehow feels important.
These strudels are exactly that.
They’re flaky and sweet, filled with strawberry jelly, topped with pink icing and sprinkles. They’re made with store-bought puff pastry and come together quickly—but they feel like a gift. And when my daughter proudly announced that she “made dessert for Daddy,” I was reminded why I love cooking this way in the first place.
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Easy Homemade Heart-Shaped Strawberry Strudels
These are perfect for weekday baking, Valentine’s season, or anytime you want to create a little joy with minimal effort. They’re especially sweet to make with kids.
Ingredients
Strudels
• 1 package puff pastry, thawed
• 6 teaspoons strawberry jelly
Strawberry Icing
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• ¼ cup strawberry jelly
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Sprinkles, for topping
1. Preheat your oven according to the puff pastry package directions. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out hearts. You’ll need an even number so they can be paired.
3. Place 1 teaspoon of strawberry jelly in the center of six hearts, leaving a small border around the edges.
4. Top each with another heart and gently seal the edges using a fork. This step is perfect for little hands.
5. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and bake according to the puff pastry package directions, until golden brown and puffed.
6. While the strudels bake, make the icing. In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, strawberry jelly, and vanilla until smooth.
7. If the icing is too thick, add more milk or strawberry jelly very slowly until it reaches a soft, drizzleable consistency.
8. Let the strudels cool slightly, then spoon or drizzle the icing over the tops. Finish with sprinkles.
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A Few Notes From My Kitchen
• Puff pastry is one of my favorite “shortcut” ingredients for hosting. It turns the simplest fillings into something special.
• These strudels are best enjoyed the day they’re made, while the pastry is still flaky and crisp.
• You can easily swap the filling—raspberry, mixed berry, or even chocolate hazelnut all work beautifully.
• If you’re baking with kids, don’t rush it. Let it be a little messy. Those are the moments they remember.
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The Takeaway
Hosting doesn’t have to be big or planned or perfect.
Sometimes it’s just heart-shaped strudels on a random weekday.
Sometimes it’s letting your kids help, even when it slows things down.
Sometimes it’s making something sweet simply because you love the people you’re feeding.
And in my opinion, that’s hosting at its very best.
Easy Homemade Heart-Shaped Strawberry Strudels
Ingredients
Strudels
- 1 package puff pastry thawed
- 6 teaspoons strawberry jelly
Strawberry Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ¼ cup strawberry jelly
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sprinkles for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven according to the puff pastry package directions. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out hearts. You’ll need an even number so they can be paired.
- Place 1 teaspoon of strawberry jelly in the center of six hearts, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Top each with another heart and gently seal the edges using a fork. This step is perfect for little hands.
- Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and bake according to the puff pastry package directions, until golden brown and puffed.
- While the strudels bake, make the icing. In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, strawberry jelly, and vanilla until smooth.
- If the icing is too thick, add more milk or strawberry jelly very slowly until it reaches a soft, drizzleable consistency.
- Let the strudels cool slightly, then spoon or drizzle the icing over the tops. Finish with sprinkles.
