When I need to make a dessert in a hurry, puff pastry is my ultimate go-to kitchen shortcut. It’s easy and elegant, and it allows the bounty of summer fruits, decadent chocolate, or any other ingredient you can dream up to shine through. These ultra-simple recipes are perfect for summer, and since they require very little hands-on time, you can make them last-minute as a treat for your family or guests.
1. Puff Pastry Beignets
I love this recipe because it requires only a handful of ingredients and comes together in about ten minutes. Simply cut your frozen puff pastry into bite-sized squares, fry in vegetable oil, and serve immediately with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. It couldn’t be easier, and this recipe invokes those old childhood memories of eating fried dough at the carnival, so it’s bound to get you right in the nostalgia in the best possible way.
2. Easy Strawberry Napoleons
Jewel-bright strawberries are one of the most celebrated fruits of the season, and this easy-to-assemble but exquisite recipe is the best way to showcase them. Layer baked puff pastry rectangles with a tart and sweet cream cheese mixture spiked with plenty of warm vanilla extract. Then, top each cream cheese-frosted square with strawberry preserves, and repeat until you have several Napoleons. Crown your creations with sliced strawberries and some powdered sugar.
3. Mini Peach Puff Pastry Tarts with Honey
The tart flavor of fresh summer peaches mingles with sweet honey in these seasonal treats, which taste as refined as something you might get from an upscale restaurant. However, they’re simple to put together in your home. Start with three thinly sliced peaches, high-quality honey, and a splash of vanilla extract to amp up the flavors. Gently layer the peaches onto puff pastry squares and cook for about 15 minutes or until golden.
4. Quick Cinnamon Rolls
Skip the bakery and opt for these quick, semi-homemade cinnamon rolls instead. Premade puff pastry takes the guesswork out of putting them together and also shaves off quite a bit of time. You can use any kind of sugar that you’d like; I prefer brown sugar for a mellow, caramel taste. It works well with the bright cinnamon and caramel sauce for dipping. Serve these for a summertime brunch or a simple weekend treat for your family.
5. Puff Pastry Nutella Twists
If you can roll out puff pastry dough, frost it, and twist it, you can make these uber-easy Nutella twists. I adore this recipe because it’s easy to make with my kids and nearly impossible to mess up. Plus, the combination of Nutella and puff pastry is an absolute winner. All you need to do is spread Nutella over puff pastry, cut the pastry into narrow rectangles, twist, and bake.
6. Easy Cheese Danish
Flaky puff pastry dough gets a beautiful boost from satiny cream cheese filling in this bakery favorite, which you can make in your kitchen with just a few simple ingredients. It’s one of my go-to brunch recipes; you will probably have everything in your fridge. Fresh lemon juice makes all the difference and lends these Danishes a bright and summery finish.
7. Cookie Puff Pastry
I love a good mash-up just as much as anyone, which is why I adore these cookie puff pastry treats, which combine the best elements of a flaky croissant with chocolate chip studded cookie dough. They also go from pantry to table in just half an hour, so they’re ideal to make for surprise guests. Use prepared cookie dough to cut back on time and prepare for flaky, buttery cookie goodness.
8. Easy Puff Pastry Blueberry Turnovers
Make the most of the tail end of the blueberry season with these single-serve turnovers. The lemon glaze takes them to the next level for me, as it pairs perfectly with plump blueberries and the puff pastry base. I use frozen blueberries, but you can easily swap in fresh ones with some sugar and fresh lemon juice. Once your turnovers are done baking, give each one a generous lemon glaze drizzle and prepare for rave reviews.
9. Mini Chocolate Filled Puff Pastries
Puff pastry and Hershey’s chocolate are a harmonious pair, and the base of this ultra-easy, five-ingredient recipe will rival anything you can find at an expensive French bakery. Plus, they’re nearly impossible to mess up. All you need to do is cut a sheet of puff pastry into eight triangles, pop a few squares of chocolate in the center, fold, and brush with egg wash so they cook up golden brown. Serve warm with a bit of powdered sugar on top.
10. Apple Rose Puff Pastry
This recipe hits the sweet spot between elegant and easy, and if you care about presentation like I do, you’ll want to bookmark it immediately. You can use any apples, your trusty puff pastry, and a bit of apricot preserve and lemon juice. Spread a thin layer of your preserves on a sheet of puff pastry, top with thin apple slices, and roll into rosette shapes. They’re great for fancy brunches or those self-care days when you want a beautiful and delectable treat.
11. Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts
Lemon curd is a tart and unexpected detour from more sugary fare, and this recipe features an eggy, tart, and sweet blend of homemade curd nestled into a flaky bed of puff pastry. I like to add a bit of salt to offset the tanginess and sweetness of the curd, but it’s a good idea to use a light hand and taste as you go.
12. Puff Pastry Cookies
These three-ingredient cookies are excellent mid-afternoon treats. They cook up perfectly crisp and full of a cinnamon and sugar blend. Plus, the presentation is on point, with swirls of rich cinnamon running through each puff pastry cookie. The longest part of this recipe is freezing the cinnamon and sugar dough so that you can cut it into rounds. Otherwise, it’s one of the easiest homemade cookies out there.
13. Berry Cheesecake Puff Pastry Tart
The beauty of this berry cheesecake tart is that you can customize it with any fruit you have on hand, making it one of the most versatile summer desserts. Tart cream cheese and velvety mascarpone pair heavenly with sugar and a touch of heavy whipping cream, making up the bulk of your cheesecake base. Topped with berries and a sprig of mint for additional color, you have a refreshing and decadent treat that’s special occasion ready.
14. Puff Pastry Braid
I like to make this puff pastry braid for lazy and luxurious weekend brunches because it tastes bakery-fresh and is easy to make with a few common ingredients. Spread a mixture of cream cheese, vanilla, and sugar on your puff pastry, then top it with some preserves, canned fruit, or jam. You can use whatever fruit flavor you’d like, making this recipe an ideal way to clean out your fridge.
15. Cruffins
Cruffins are another mash-up that I cannot resist, and when you taste them, you’ll understand precisely why. An inspired combination of muffins and croissants, these delights only require a few basic ingredients, including cinnamon, sugar, and puff pastry. You can serve them with even more cinnamon and sugar or a pat of butter on top for enhanced flavor.
Put puff pastry center stage this summer and create some of the best and most versatile desserts imaginable.
