We can't even tell you how much we love versatile puff pastry. There's something magical about biting into a flaky, melt-in-your-mouth goodie made from it. If you love a buttery croissant or the crispy top of a hot pot pie, we have a recipe you can make right in your kitchen. Give your baked goods some extra love by going homemade all the way.
How to Make a Puff Pastry
You can easily use this puff pastry recipe to make your favorite dishes, such as apple turnovers, fresh croissants, and other buttery, flaky pastries. This recipe makes 4 to 6 servings.
Ingredients
- 2 cups + 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour, divided
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons cold butter
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- ½ cup ice water
- ¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon salted cold butter, divided
- 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Combine 2 cups of flour and the salt in a large bowl.
- Cut 3 tablespoons of the butter into the flour mixture until small crumbs form.
- In a small bowl, combine the egg yolk, lemon juice, and ice water and mix with a wire whisk.
- Stir the egg yolk mixture into the flour mixture until a dough forms. You may need to add more ice water or more flour to make a firm but workable dough.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until it's perfectly smooth. This should take about 5 minutes.
- Press the dough into a round, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill while you prepare the butter.
- Cut the butter into ½" pieces and place in a food processor with the remaining 2 teaspoons of flour. Pulse until combined. You can also put the butter on the kitchen counter and sprinkle it with the flour. Using a rolling pin, pound the butter and flour together until it is combined.
- Place the butter mixture onto a piece of parchment and form it into a 4" square. Wrap it in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
- Take the dough out of the fridge and place it on a lightly floured work surface. Roll with a rolling pin until it is 8" square.
- Remove the butter from the fridge and place it in the center of the square of dough.
- Fold the corners of the dough into the center to make a package. Pinch the edges of the dough together to seal.
- You will now make "turns," which is what pastry chefs call folding and rolling out the dough. Turn the package of dough and butter over so the seam is on the bottom. Roll it to a 12" x 6" rectangle.
- Think of the dough as divided into three equal parts. Fold one third of the dough over the center, and then fold the other third over the first third, just like you fold a piece of paper before you put it into an envelope.
- Turn the dough 45° and roll it to a 12" x 6" rectangle again. Fold it again. That's the second turn.
- Put the dough into a baggie, seal it, and chill for 1 hour.
- Repeat the rolling and folding twice, chilling the dough for 30 minutes after each second turn. You will have turned the dough six times, creating many layers of the butter and the dough. If some butter starts to come through the dough, just sprinkle it with some flour and make your next fold to enclose that spot.
- Now put the dough into a baggie again, seal it, and chill overnight. From there, you can proceed according to how your specific recipe dictates.
Don't skip the turning and chilling. It's essential to create lamination — the super thin, flaky layers of dough that make puff pastry so magical.
Three Simple Ways to Use Puff Pastry
Here's the great thing about puff pastry — it's the foundation for so many goodies like savory canapés, sweet desserts, flaky turnovers, and buttery baked goods. Here are our suggestions for using it.
1. Fresh Croissants
Bake some croissants for breakfast using puff pastry.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- To make croissants with this dough, roll it out to a 12" circle and cut into 6 wedges.
- Roll the wedges, starting with the wide end, to a point.
- Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes (until golden brown) in the preheated oven.
2. Jam-Filled Pastries
Bake some jam-filled pastries that make for an easy grab-and-go snack.
Instructions
- Roll out the dough to a 12" square. Cut into four 6" squares.
- Fill each square with 1 to 2 tablespoons jam or custard.
- Fold the corners of the dough over the filling to meet in the middle and press gently.
- Bake at 400° for 12 to 18 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
3. Spinach Pinwheels
Make a savory and cheesy finger food with puff pastry.
Instructions
- To make spinach pinwheels, prepare some spinach and artichoke dip before rolling your puff pastry dough into a rectangular shape.
- Spread the dip across the layer and roll into a pinwheel, forming a log roll.
- Refrigerate for an hour before slicing into pieces about ½-inch thick.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place in a single layer on a cookie sheet that is covered with parchment paper, then bake for 25 - 30 minutes.
Give Your Dishes a Buttery Touch With Puff Pastry
Go the extra mile by making your puff pastry from scratch. A ready-to-bake puff pastry adds a personal touch to your homemade pastries, desserts, and other baked goodies. Next time you're craving a flakey croissant, turn to this delicious recipe that will have you saying goodbye to store-bought puff pastry forever.
