Puff pastry is incredibly versatile and can be used to make various dishes, including savoury quiches and pies and desserts such as tarts and custard pies.
If you’re making your own puff pastry, the secret lies in the lamination process, where layers of butter are folded into the dough, creating its signature flaky texture. The key is to keep the dough and butter cold throughout the process to ensure proper layering and rise during baking.
While there aren’t strict “rules” for working with puff pastry, there are some best practices to keep in mind:
- Always work with chilled puff pastry dough to prevent the butter from melting.
- Use a sharp knife or pastry cutter to cut the dough to prevent squishing the layers.
- Avoid overhandling the dough, as this can cause the butter layers to melt and the pastry to lose its flakiness.
- Preheat the oven thoroughly and bake the pastry at a high temperature to ensure proper puffing and browning.
12 best puff pastry recipes
Traybake tart
The simplest way to feed a family any night of the week.
Salted chocolate puff pastry braid
You’ll win hearts with this simple and scrumptious dessert.
Easy berry cheesecake mille-feuille squares
Give the classic French pastry mille-feuille – it’s called vanilla or custard slice in English – a cheesecake twist for a stack of flaky, creamy yum.
Chicken and vegetable pie
Comfort food in a flash. Frozen puff pastry and a leftover barbecue chicken make this pie recipe so easy and simple to make.
Cheese and herb pie
With a flaky crust and creamy filling, this vegetarian pie is simple but satisfying.
Mushroom and potato sausage-roll pie
Turn budget-friendly sausages into a show-stopping meal.
Best-ever easy beef and onion sausage rolls
You can’t have a party without sausage rolls, and these are mouth-watering.
Beef, fig and pistachio sausage pies
Make and freeze then defrost on the day!
Vanilla custard pie
There’s nothing bland or ordinary about this scrumptious vanilla pie.
Spinach, cheese and winter vegetable pastry coil
A mega pastry packed full of tasty vegies that’s a dinner winner.
Apple and walnut tarts
With store-bought puff pastry and a simple caramel sauce, these come together instantly but linger on the tastebuds for longer!
Free-form mediterranean pie
Super-simple and fast enough to throw together for a mid-week dinner.
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