Chocolate, Strawberry, and Cream Cheese Bundles

We just got home from a weekend at the beach, which is why this blog was quiet all weekend long! We weren't planning any summer travel this year but when some relatives from Texas made plans to come this direction for a week, we quickly added a beach weekend to the calendar so we could see them. Such a hardship, I know :)

Though there was a full kitchen in our condo, I'm not one to cook on vacation. I love to cook, and do it just about everyday, but I love laying on the beach and eating at local restaurants more. Plus who wants to do dishes on vacation? Not this girl!

These bundles were born out of a "need" to use up a few bits here and there. A sheet of puff pastry I had already thawed, some leftover cream cheese, and some flash frozen strawberry pieces leftover from a scone recipe. Chocolate chips are a constant in my freezer so I threw them in for good measure (and because I love chocolate). These are ridiculously easy and sooooooo good. You could easily switch out the fillings, too!

I took pictures along the way because I'm a nerd. And to show you how easy they are. {but really just because I'm a nerd}

First you just roll out a sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Puff pastry is uber delicious but quite dainty; you don't want it to stick to your counter or wax paper. I first cut the pastry into squares and dolloped on some cream cheese and strawberries.

Then I added just a few chocolate chips to each:

Then made little bundles, using water to help seal the edges:

Cute, right? Sorta like potstickers. Except better.

Then you just bake until browned!

Note: They are tastiest served warm... but I doubt many families would have issues with leftovers! 

Chocolate, Strawberry, and Cream Cheese Bundles

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

1/4 cup cream cheese

1/2 cup chopped strawberries 

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 400.

Unfold the sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured work surface. Roll out the pastry until it's a 12 inch square. Using a pizza cutter, slice the pastry into squares that are 4 inch square (should be 9 total).

Divide the cream cheese between the squares, putting a small piece in the center of each. Then add a tablespoon of strawberries and then top with about a teaspoon of chocolate chips. Smush the strawberries, cream cheese, and chocolate together a bit so they stick together. 

Working with one piece at a time, brush the edges with water and bring the corners together in the center. Twist or press well to seal. Place on a baking sheet and repeat with the remaining pieces. 

(if you have any pieces that aren't quite coming together, just fold the edge over to create a triangle)

Bake for 15 minutes or until they're golden brown. Remove from sheet and let cool slightly (but still warm!) on a wire rack before serving.

Note: any combination of fillings could be used - shoot for about 2 tablespoons of filling total

Source: adapted from Pepperidge Farm