The first thing I thought about when coming up with this Valentine recipe was using sweet dark cherries! Cherries and Chocolate are the perfect pair. Who can resist these Cherry Valentine Pillows with Chocolate after a lovely Valentine’s dinner? I always reach for chocolate, but this time I wanted something simple that can be made ahead. These phyllo pillow creations are perfect for the busy cook because they can prepared ahead of time and placed in the freezer. Just remember to buy your phyllo early in the week and place in the refrigerator to defrost. Line a tray with wax/parchment paper and freeze your pastry layering with more paper. Pop them out and bake, with a drizzle of my bittersweet chocolate lemon sauce and a dusting of powdered sugar! Bake them off right after dinner, and they are ready and warm. Ummm…comfort.
Easy as pie…
- Use three buttered layers of phyllo dough
- Cut into strips depending on the shape desired.
- Fill with cherry sauce.
- Wrap and bake.
With a very sharp knife cut the phyllo into 3 long evenly strips.
Add the cherry sauce careful not to place too much filling.
Roll the phyllo like an envelope.
Place on a buttered sheet pan, seemed side down and brush with butter.
Or you can shape the phyllo dough into triangles, rolling phyllo as a flag.
Cherry Valentine Pillows with Chocolate Sauce
Make these fluffy phyllo pillows for your special one with a drizzle of your favorite chocolate. Make ahead and bake up warm...ummm!
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound phyllo, defrosted
- 1 stick of butter, melted
- 1 24 oz. jar of sour cherries or a can of dark sweet cherries, pitted and drained. I bought mine at Smart and Final
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon Tapioca
- 1 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
- dash of salt
- dash of vanilla
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or your choice of nuts, chopped
Chocolate Sauce
- 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Instructions
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Mix together the drained cherries, sugar, tapioca, cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, and salt and let stand for 15 minutes.
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Meanwhile make the chocolate sauce.
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Place all the ingredients in a bowl. Use a double boiler or a bowl over a pot of simmering water and melt. Remove from heat and strain into a bowl.
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Place the phyllo on a clean surface or towel.
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On a large surface or on wax paper/parchment paper place the first sheet. Brush with melted butter.
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Repeat with three sheets. Cut in half lengthwise for a box shape or thirds for a triangle shape.
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Place 3-4 cherries at one end of the dough strip, add a sprinkle of walnuts. For the square add 4-5 cherries.
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Roll in a flag method for a triangle or roll in a square shape folding in the sides as you go.
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Place on a buttered sheet pan.
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Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, until slightly brown.
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Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
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Sprinkle with powdered sugar and drizzle with melted chocolate. Serve warm.
Recipe Notes
Phyllo pillows can be made ahead of time and placed in the freezer before baking. Cover. Remove and bake frozen for a few minutes more.
You can serve these delights two different ways, or come up with your own design!
Happy Valentine’s Day,
Mary
You may want to try your hand at these Greek Cheese Triangles!
© 2015 – 2022, Mary Papoulias-Platis. All rights reserved.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Did you save any for me?? Yummy!
Laura, Come over anytime and I’ll make them for you!