Frozen Puff Pastry 2 Ways
Inspired by tips from Food Network’s Chef Alex Guarnaschelli and Ree Drummond (recipes linked below), I am sharing how you can turn simple, pantry staples into scrumptious sophistication.
Sweet Singles: Raspberry Cheese Danish
Ingredients (Makes 8 squares)
Single sheet of thawed puff pastry dough
Cheese Danish Filling (recipe linked below)
Fruit jam of choice
Egg (for egg wash)
How to Make it (Scroll for Helpful Instruction Images)
Preheat oven per puff pastry instructions
Make Cheese Danish Filling per recipe
Divide and cut puff pastry into 8 squares
Use shot glass to make indentation in the center of each square
Scoop tablespoon of Danish Filling into the center of each square
Scoop half tablespoon of jam on top of the Danish Filling
Whisk egg and small amount of water to make egg wash
Using a pastry brush, brush egg wash around the remaining exposed pastry dough
Bake in the oven per the puff pastry instructions or until pastry starts to turn golden in color
To Share: Braided Pastry
This inventive use of puff pastry can go either sweet or savory, and uses the same baking instructions as described above! I used the leftover Cheese Danish Filling in mine, but this can easily become a pizza pastry braid too. Add your favorite pizza toppings inside for a calzone-like bite. Drop a comment below if you want me to share my go-to pizza recipe!
How to Make it (Scroll for Helpful Instruction Images)
Unfold your thawed out puff pastry sheet
Your sheet should have been folded into thirds, and you will use these guidelines for your braid
Along the middle third, add any of the fillings or toppings you would like
Leaving the outside thirds empty, you will start cutting 6 horizontal strips mirroring the cuts on either side
Starting from from the top, tuck in the dough from the middle third of the sheet so that your filling does not spill out during its bake
Then, you will alternate crossing over your strips pulling the dough taught, but being sure not to stretch it out
You will repeat this process until you are left with your last two strips
To finish off your braid, you will tuck in the bottom middle third of the dough and cross the last to strips over as if you were going to braid the opposite direction
Lastly, you’ll add the egg wash and bake as per my last recipe’s instructions
