Puff Pastry Christmas Desserts To Make This Season

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the joy of baking delicious treats for our loved ones. Among the many wonderful ingredients that make Christmas desserts so special, puff pastry stands out as a versatile and crowd-pleasing favorite. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a beginner, puff pastry Christmas desserts are a great way to impress your guests and satisfy their sweet tooth.

From classic croissants to elegant tartlets, puff pastry can be used to create a wide range of sweet and savory treats that are perfect for the holiday season. In this article, we'll explore some of the most delicious puff pastry Christmas desserts to make this season, along with some helpful tips and tricks to ensure your baking is merry and bright.

1. Cranberry Orange Puff Pastry Tarts

These bite-sized tarts are a perfect combination of sweet and tangy, with the flavors of cranberry and orange complementing each other beautifully. To make these tarts, you'll need:

• 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
• 1 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons of orange zest
• 2 tablespoons of orange juice
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll out the puff pastry to a thickness of about 1/8 inch (3 mm). Cut out small squares, about 3 inches (7.5 cm) per side. Spoon a small amount of cranberry mixture onto one half of each square, leaving a 1/2 inch (1 cm) border around the edges. Fold the other half over to form a triangle, pressing the edges to seal. Brush with egg wash and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

2. Chocolate Dipped Puff Pastry Stars

Who doesn't love the combination of chocolate and puff pastry? These star-shaped treats are easy to make and look stunning on any holiday dessert platter. To make these stars, you'll need:

• 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
• 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon of shortening (such as Crisco)
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll out the puff pastry to a thickness of about 1/8 inch (3 mm). Cut out star shapes using a cookie cutter or a knife. Place the stars on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush with egg wash. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each interval until smooth. Dip the cooled pastry stars into the melted chocolate, using a fork to coat evenly.

3. Puff Pastry Snowflakes with Lemon Curd

These delicate snowflakes are a beautiful addition to any holiday dessert table. The lemon curd adds a tangy and sweet contrast to the buttery puff pastry. To make these snowflakes, you'll need:

• 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
• 1 cup of lemon curd (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll out the puff pastry to a thickness of about 1/8 inch (3 mm). Cut out snowflake shapes using a cookie cutter or a knife. Place the snowflakes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush with egg wash. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow the pastry to cool completely before spreading a small amount of lemon curd onto each snowflake.

4. Puff Pastry Gingerbread Men

These adorable gingerbread men are a fun twist on the classic Christmas cookie. The puff pastry adds a flaky and buttery texture to the traditional gingerbread. To make these men, you'll need:

• 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
• 1/4 cup of crystallized ginger, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup of brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll out the puff pastry to a thickness of about 1/8 inch (3 mm). Cut out gingerbread man shapes using a cookie cutter or a knife. Place the men on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush with egg wash. Sprinkle the chopped crystallized ginger, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt evenly over the pastry. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

5. Puff Pastry Chocolate Yule Log

This impressive chocolate yule log is a show-stopping centerpiece for any holiday dessert table. The puff pastry adds a flaky and buttery texture to the rich chocolate. To make this log, you'll need:

• 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
• 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll out the puff pastry to a thickness of about 1/8 inch (3 mm). Cut out a rectangle, about 12 inches (30 cm) long and 4 inches (10 cm) wide. Place the rectangle on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush with egg wash. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each interval until smooth. Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the cooled pastry, leaving a 1-inch (2.5 cm) border around the edges. Roll the log into a tight cylinder and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

As you can see, puff pastry is a versatile ingredient that can be used to create a wide range of delicious Christmas desserts. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned baker, these recipes are sure to impress your guests and satisfy their sweet tooth. So go ahead, get creative, and make this holiday season a little sweeter with puff pastry!