Crisp Puff Pastry Tops Recipes

CRISP PUFF PASTRY TOPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
• Sprinkle work surface with sugar. Place puff pastry on top of sugar. Sprinkle top of puff pastry with sugar. Roll puff pastry into a 12-by-14-inch rectangle. Using a round cookie cutter, cut six 4 1/2-inch rounds; transfer to prepared baking sheet.
• With a sharp knife, score each pastry, making curved lines every 1/2-inch from the center out towards the edges, to resemble a pinwheel. Transfer baking sheets to a refrigerator until well chilled, at least 30 minutes.
• In a small bowl, beat together egg yolk and cream. Brush tops of chilled pastry rounds, leaving a 1/4-inch border around the edge; take care not to let any egg mixture drip over cut edges, as it will prevent pastry from puffing evenly. Sprinkle each round with 2 teaspoons sugar. Bake until crisp and caramelized, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet.

BACON AND CHEDDAR PUFF PASTRY CRISPS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Unfold 1 pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheet into a 12x12-inch square. Cut into 36 (2-inch) squares. Prick the pastry squares with a fork. Repeat with the remaining pastry sheet, making 72 squares in all. Place the squares onto baking sheets.
• Bake for 8 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown. Using the back of a spoon, press down the centers of the hot pastries to make an indentation.
• Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon each cheese and bacon onto each pastry. Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Remove the pastries from the baking sheets and let cool on wire racks for 10 minutes. Top with the dressing and chives.

PASTRY PUFFS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment. In a small saucepan, bring water, butter, and sugar to a boil over high.
• Immediately remove from heat. With a wooden spoon, stir in all-purpose flour. Continue to stir until mixture pulls away from sides of pan, about 2 minutes. Let cool 2 minutes.
• Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition until batter comes together. Transfer batter to a large zip-top bag; twist and squeeze bag so batter is in one corner. With scissors, snip a 1/2-inch opening in corner (or use a pastry bag with a 1/2-inch round plain tip).
• Pipe batter into desired size mounds, 1 inch apart, onto sheets. With a wet finger, smooth pointy tops. Bake 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake until puffs are golden brown and feel light and hollow inside, 20 to 30 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks.

CRISPY POTATO PUFFS

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, 10-15 minutes or until tender. Drain; return to pan., Mash potatoes, gradually adding milk, butter and salt; stir in cheese. Transfer to a large bowl; refrigerate, covered, 2 hours or until firm enough to shape., In a shallow dish, combine cornflakes and sesame seeds. Shape potato mixture into 1-1/2-in. balls; roll in cornflake mixture. Place on greased baking sheets. Bake 7-9 minutes or until golden brown., Freeze option: Place unbaked puffs on baking sheets; cover and freeze until firm. Transfer to resealable plastic freezer bags. Freeze up to 3 months. To use, preheat oven to 400°. Place frozen potato puffs on greased baking sheets. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and heated through.