13 Puff Pastry Desserts That Look Like You Bought Them at a French Bakery

Here is a little secret from busy home bakers: a box of frozen puff pastry can make you look like a pastry chef. It puffs into hundreds of buttery, flaky layers with almost no effort on your part. These puff pastry desserts use simple fillings like fruit, jam, cream and cinnamon sugar, and most are ready in under an hour. Your guests will never guess how easy they were..

Berry Cream Puff Pastry Tart

A crisp golden rectangle of puff pastry filled with vanilla cream and topped with fresh strawberries and blackberries looks like it came straight from a Paris bakery window. The pastry bakes in 20 minutes, the cream takes 5 and the berries just need washing. It is one of the most impressive puff pastry desserts you can make with so little work. Which berries would you pick?

You will need: You need: 1 sheet puff pastry, 1 egg, 8 ounces mascarpone or cream cheese, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/3 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 cups strawberries and blackberries.

How to make it: Lay the pastry on a lined tray and score a 1 inch border. Prick the middle with a fork and brush the edges with egg. Bake at 400F for 20 minutes and press the center down. Cool. Beat mascarpone, cream, sugar and vanilla until thick. Spread in the center and top with berries.

Cinnamon Sugar Puff Pastry Swirls

Brush a sheet of pastry with butter, shower it with cinnamon sugar, roll it up and slice. In the oven the swirls puff, crackle and caramelize into crisp little cinnamon rolls with no yeast and no waiting. They are perfect with morning coffee and might be the easiest puff pastry desserts of all. Would you add a drizzle of icing on top?

You will need: You need: 2 sheets puff pastry, 4 tablespoons melted butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk.

How to make it: Brush each pastry sheet with butter. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over. Roll each sheet into a tight log and chill 15 minutes. Slice into 1 inch rounds. Bake at 400F for 18 to 20 minutes. Mix powdered sugar and milk and drizzle on top.

Pear Puff Pastry Pockets

Soft cinnamon pears wrapped in buttery pastry make cozy little pockets that are perfect for fall. The pears cook slightly before filling, so they turn tender and jammy in the oven. Serve them warm with vanilla ice cream or cold with a cup of tea. Quick poll: A) pear, B) apple, C) a mix of both?

You will need: You need: 2 sheets puff pastry, 3 ripe pears, 2 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1 egg, coarse sugar.

How to make it: Cook diced pears in butter with brown sugar and cinnamon for 5 minutes. Stir in cornstarch and cool. Cut pastry into squares, spoon filling in the center and fold into triangles. Press the edges with a fork. Brush with egg, sprinkle sugar and bake at 400F for 20 minutes.

Peach Puff Pastry Pinwheels

Thin peach slices fanned over a soft pastry square and brushed with apricot jam bake into shiny, golden pinwheels. Canned or frozen peaches work all year long. They look like something from a hotel breakfast buffet, but they take only a few minutes to put together. Which fruit would you try next?

You will need: You need: 1 sheet puff pastry, 2 peaches or 1 can sliced peaches, 4 tablespoons cream cheese, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 egg, 3 tablespoons apricot jam.

How to make it: Cut the pastry into 6 squares. Mix cream cheese and sugar and spread a spoonful in the center of each. Fan peach slices on top. Fold the corners in slightly. Brush the edges with egg. Bake at 400F for 18 minutes. Brush warm pastries with melted jam.

Apple Cinnamon Puff Pastry Squares

These flaky squares hold a warm apple pie filling in a buttery frame of pastry. They are like a quick apple pie you can hold in one hand. Make them for lunchboxes, bake sales or a cozy fall dessert with caramel sauce. Among puff pastry desserts, these are the ones kids love most. Would you add caramel or keep them simple?

You will need: You need: 2 sheets puff pastry, 3 apples, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 egg, caramel sauce (optional).

How to make it: Cook sliced apples with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and lemon for 6 minutes until soft. Cool. Cut pastry into squares and top each with apples, leaving a border. Fold the corners toward the middle. Brush with egg and bake at 400F for 20 minutes.

Jam Filled Puff Pastry Squares

Sometimes the simplest treats are the best. Squares of pastry with a spoon of jam in the middle bake into flaky, golden cushions with a bright, glossy center. A dusting of sugar makes them sparkle. Use strawberry, raspberry or apricot, or try a different jam in every square for a pretty tray. Simple puff pastry desserts like these are great for beginners. What is your favorite jam?

You will need: You need: 2 sheets puff pastry, 1/2 cup thick jam, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons coarse sugar.

How to make it: Cut each sheet into 9 squares. Press a small dip in the center of each with your thumb. Spoon in a teaspoon of jam. Brush the edges with egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake at 400F for 15 to 18 minutes until puffed and golden.

Cherry Jam Puff Pastry Stars

Pastry stars filled with cherry jam are a festive treat for Christmas mornings and holiday cookie trays. Cut squares, slit the corners and fold every other point to the center to make a pinwheel star. A sprinkle of powdered sugar looks like fresh snow. These are the puff pastry desserts to make with kids during winter break.

You will need: You need: 2 sheets puff pastry, 1/2 cup cherry jam, 1 egg, powdered sugar, a few fresh cherries or cranberries for garnish.

How to make it: Cut pastry into 4 inch squares. Cut from each corner toward the center, stopping 1/2 inch short. Fold every other point to the middle and press. Spoon jam in the center. Brush with egg. Bake at 400F for 15 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and garnish.

Raspberry Coconut Pastry Rolls

These little rolls are filled with tart raspberry jam and rolled in shredded coconut for a snowy look. The jam bubbles out a bit in the oven and turns sticky and sweet. They are pretty on a holiday platter and taste lovely with tea. Raspberry or strawberry: which would you choose?

You will need: You need: 2 sheets puff pastry, 1/2 cup raspberry jam, 1 egg, 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut, 1/2 cup fresh raspberries for serving.

How to make it: Spread jam over each pastry sheet, leaving a small border. Roll up tightly and chill 15 minutes. Slice into 2 inch pieces. Brush with egg and roll the tops in coconut. Bake at 400F for 20 minutes. Serve with fresh raspberries and a little extra jam.

Sweet Vol au Vent Cups With Cream

Vol au vent means flying in the wind, because these pastry cups are so light. Usually filled with savory food, they are just as lovely with sweet whipped cream and fruit. Use cutters to make the cups, or buy ready made shells. They are a fancy party bite in under an hour. Would you fill them with fruit or chocolate?

You will need: You need: 2 sheets puff pastry, 1 egg, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, orange segments or berries, orange zest.

How to make it: Cut 12 rounds with a 2 1/2 inch cutter. Cut a smaller circle in the middle of 6 of them to make rings. Stack rings on whole rounds with a dab of egg. Brush with egg. Bake at 400F for 15 minutes. Whip cream with sugar and vanilla, fill the cups and top with fruit and zest.

Chocolate Puff Pastry Bars

A layer of chocolate between two sheets of pastry turns into a flaky, melty bar that tastes like a bakery chocolate croissant. A glaze of melted chocolate and chopped nuts on top makes it even better. Cut into long bars for a crowd. Is this the best of the puff pastry desserts for chocolate lovers?

You will need: You need: 2 sheets puff pastry, 6 ounces dark chocolate, 1 egg, 2 ounces melted chocolate for the top, 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts or almonds.

How to make it: Lay one pastry sheet on a lined tray. Scatter chopped chocolate over it, leaving a border. Brush the edges with egg and cover with the second sheet. Press to seal and brush the top with egg. Bake at 400F for 25 minutes. Drizzle with melted chocolate, add nuts and cut into bars.

Mango Cream Pastry Strip

A long strip of crisp pastry topped with vanilla cream and cubes of sweet mango brings a little sunshine to a cold month. It slices neatly for a crowd, and you can swap the mango for berries or kiwi. Bake the pastry ahead and add the cream right before serving so it stays crisp. It proves puff pastry desserts are not only for fall. Do you love tropical flavors?

You will need: You need: 1 sheet puff pastry, 1 egg, 1 cup heavy cream, 4 ounces mascarpone, 3 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1 ripe mango, mint leaves.

How to make it: Cut the pastry into a long strip and score a border. Prick the middle and brush the edges with egg. Bake at 400F for 18 minutes and cool. Whip cream, mascarpone and sugar. Spread in the middle and top with mango cubes and mint.

Pistachio Custard Pastries

Golden pastry cups filled with creamy custard and sprinkled with chopped pistachios have a lovely Middle Eastern bakery feel. The custard cooks on the stove in ten minutes. A drizzle of honey adds a soft floral sweetness. These would be a showstopper at a holiday brunch. Fancy puff pastry desserts do not get much easier. Have you tried pistachio with custard before?

You will need: You need: 2 sheets puff pastry, 1 egg, 1 cup milk, 2 egg yolks, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/3 cup chopped pistachios, honey.

How to make it: Cook milk, yolks, sugar and cornstarch, stirring until thick. Add vanilla and cool. Cut pastry into squares, fold two corners to the middle and press. Spoon custard in the center. Brush with egg. Bake at 400F for 18 minutes. Top with pistachios and honey.

Maple Pecan Puff Pastry Braid

A braided pastry looks very impressive, but it is just strips folded over a filling. This one is packed with maple syrup, brown sugar and toasted pecans, so it tastes like pecan pie in a flaky crust. Slice it for brunch or dessert. For more easy bakes, see these quick breads and muffins. Which of these puff pastry desserts will you make first?

You will need: You need: 1 sheet puff pastry, 1 cup chopped pecans, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 egg.

How to make it: Mix pecans, maple syrup, brown sugar, butter and cinnamon. Spread down the middle third of the pastry. Cut the sides into 1 inch strips at an angle. Fold the strips over the filling, alternating sides, like a braid. Brush with egg. Bake at 400F for 25 minutes.