Strawberry Pastries
A true estate-baked pastry is a triumph of contrasting textures: the crisp, golden layers of laminated puff pastry, the velvety richness of room-temperature mascarpone cheese, and the bright, sweet-tart strawberry jam filling simmered with fresh lemon zest and juice. By rolling the dough to an even thickness, cutting it into neat squares, and sealing the triangles with a fork, we create perfectly portioned tarts. Brushed with a simple egg wash and sprinkled with sparkling sanding sugar before baking, these tarts puff into airy, buttery golden-brown pastries that serve as an elegant, crowd-pleasing addition to any morning or afternoon estate table.
Makes: about 20 palm-size tarts | Total Time: 30 minutes till it’s ready
Ingredients
Strawberry Filling
- For strawberry filling:
- 2 pints fresh strawberries, about 3 cups
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- zest from 1 lemon, about 1 tablespoon
- juice from 2 lemons, about ¼ cup
Pastry and Assembly
- For pies:
- 1 (13.5-ounce) refrigerated package puff pastry dough
- 4 ounces mascarpone cheese, room temperature
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon sanding sugar (substitute with granulated sugar)
- confectioners’ sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
Make strawberry filling
- Add the strawberries into a pot.
- Add the sugar and add about 2 tablespoons of water.
- Heat the berries over medium until they begin to break down and the sugar dissolves, about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Stir together the cornstarch, lemon zest, and juice until smooth and pour into the pot.
- Continue simmering until the strawberries begin to bubble up the sides of the pan.
- Use a potato masher to mush together the berries.
- Simmer and stir until the berries are sticky and thick, about 5 minutes more.
- Remove the pot from the heat and cool to room temperature.
Assemble and bake pastries
- Preheat your oven to 375°.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out your puff pastry onto a floured board until you have a large rectangle, about 10 by 15 inches.
- Use a pastry wheel to cut the dough into 3-inch squares. You should have 20 squares.
- Spoon 1 teaspoon of mascarpone in the middle of each square.
- Spoon 1 tablespoon of strawberry jam on top of the cheese.
- Use the egg wash to brush the outer edges of the pastry.
- Fold the squares over diagonally to form a triangle and crimp the edges together with a fork.
- Place the tarts onto the cookie sheets, brush the tops with egg wash, and sprinkle with sanding sugar.
- Bake until puffed and golden brown, about 18 to 20 minutes.
Use ANY fruit to make these fun pastries. Any berry, cherry, or sliced stone fruit will work! No mascarpone \u2026 no problem! Substitute with cream cheese.
The full recipe lives in the Vault
Ingredients, step-by-step method, and every chef-tested detail are reserved for members of the Estate Registry.
Join the Estate RegistryThe Heart of the Table
Morning gatherings at the estate are made whole not by grand displays, but by the simple warmth of freshly baked pastries and the quiet spaces of sanctuary we build for each other. The kitchen becomes a harbor of presence as we roll out buttery sheets of puff pastry, spoon glossy, crimson strawberry jam over velvety mascarpone, and gently crimp each tart with the tines of a fork. This slow, intentional handcraft is a meditative ritual that settles the mind, turning baking into a form of active peace. Sharing these warm, golden pastries with family and friends around the harvest table is a physical expression of hospitality—a way to say you are welcome, you are cared for, and you belong. In these moments of shared sweetness and easy conversation, we witness the quiet power of neighborly grace, transforming an ordinary early summer morning into a deep, lasting celebration of connection and community.
Neighborly Grace
- THE PRESENTATION: Serve these exquisite pastries warm, freshly dusted with a delicate snow of confectioners' sugar. Arrange them elegantly on a dark slate slab or a rustic hand-planed wooden harvest board, letting the vibrant red of the strawberry filling peek through the flaky, golden pastry layers.
- THE POUR: A steaming cup of organic Earl Grey tea with a slice of lemon, freshly squeezed estate orange juice, or a chilled glass of dry sparkling rosé to elevate a morning brunch or an elegant mid-afternoon gathering.
- THE VIBE: A sunlit, cozy early summer morning inside a rustic-luxury garden glasshouse nestled in a misty redwood forest. The long zinc harvest table is decorated with fresh wild strawberries, stoneware mugs with rising steam, raw linen runners, and vintage garden accents. Golden sunlight filters through the towering redwoods and the dew-kissed glass panels, casting a warm, serene glow over guests wrapped in soft linen throws, sharing warm pastries, easy laughter, and the quiet comfort of neighborly grace.