Triple Crispy Puff Pastries

Triple Crispy Puff Pastries are an indulgent treat made with buttery, flaky layers of laminated dough that’s filled with a delightful combination of strawberry and chocolate jams. These pastries offer the perfect balance of crispness on the outside and soft, gooey filling on the inside. Whether you’re enjoying them for breakfast, as a snack, or a dessert, these pastries are sure to impress with their irresistible texture and flavor. While the process involves some time for chilling and folding the dough, the result is absolutely worth the effort. This recipe guides you through creating homemade puff pastry from scratch, ensuring the flakiest, most delicious results.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Dough:

  • Bread flour: 250g
  • Unsalted butter (room temperature): 50g (for the dough)
  • Salt: 3g (1 tsp)
  • Sugar: 10g (1 tbsp)
  • Cold water: 120ml
  • Unsalted butter (for spreading): 120g (softened but not melted)

For the Filling:

  • Strawberry jam
  • Chocolate jam

Before Baking:

  • Egg wash: 2 tbsp eggs + 2 tbsp milk (for brushing the pastries before baking)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough
  1. Combine the dry ingredients: In a mixing bowl, add 250g bread flour, 50g unsalted butter, 3g salt, and 10g sugar. Mix the ingredients together using your hands or a stand mixer.
  2. Add water: Gradually add 120ml of cold water to the flour mixture while stirring. Mix until the dough comes together and starts to form a smooth texture.
  3. Knead the dough: Transfer the dough onto a clean surface and knead it for about 5-7 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. You should be able to stretch it slightly without tearing.
  4. Rest the dough: Wrap the kneaded dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax and makes it easier to roll out later.
Step 2: Prepare the Butter for Laminating
  1. Flatten the butter: Take 120g of unsalted butter and place it between two sheets of parchment paper. Use a rolling pin to flatten the butter into a thin rectangle, approximately 1/4 inch thick.
  2. Chill the butter: Place the flattened butter in the refrigerator to chill until it becomes firm but remains pliable. You want the butter to be cold enough to hold its shape, but soft enough to spread when rolled with the dough.
Step 3: Laminate the Dough
  1. Roll out the dough: After 30 minutes, remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out into a large rectangle that’s twice the size of your prepared butter sheet.
  2. Place the butter: Remove the butter from the fridge and place it in the center of the rolled-out dough.
  3. Fold the dough: Fold the dough over the butter, completely encasing it. You should have a dough “packet” with the butter sealed inside.
  4. Roll and fold: Roll the dough into a larger rectangle, then fold it into thirds like a letter. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for another 30 minutes.
  5. Repeat the process: Repeat the rolling and folding process two more times, chilling the dough for 30 minutes between each fold. This process creates the layers that give puff pastry its flaky texture.
Step 4: Assemble the Pastries
  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).
  2. Roll out the dough: After the final chill, roll out the laminated dough into a large rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
  3. Cut the dough: Use a sharp knife or pastry cutter to cut the dough into smaller rectangles or squares, depending on the size you want your pastries to be.
  4. Add the filling: Place a small amount of strawberry jam and chocolate jam in the center of each piece of dough. Be careful not to overfill, as the jam will expand when baked.
  5. Seal the pastries: Fold the dough over the filling to create a sealed packet. Use a fork to crimp the edges and ensure the filling stays inside during baking.
Step 5: Prepare for Baking
  1. Prepare the egg wash: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of eggs and 2 tablespoons of milk to create the egg wash.
  2. Brush the pastries: Brush the tops of the assembled pastries with the egg wash. This will help them develop a beautiful golden-brown color in the oven.
Step 6: Bake the Pastries
  1. Bake: Place the pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake them in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy.
  2. Cool slightly: Once baked, remove the pastries from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
Step 7: Serve
  1. Enjoy: Serve your triple crispy puff pastries warm, with a perfect balance of flaky layers and sweet filling. They’re best enjoyed fresh out of the oven but can be stored for later.

Cooking Tips

  • Temperature control: Keep the butter cold but pliable. If it gets too soft, the dough will absorb it, and you’ll lose the layers. If it’s too hard, it will break through the dough when rolling.
  • Filling variations: Feel free to experiment with different fillings like custard, Nutella, or fruit preserves. Just make sure not to overfill to avoid leakage.
  • Brush with egg wash: For a beautifully shiny, golden crust, ensure you generously brush the egg wash over each pastry before baking.
  • Chill the dough between folds: Chilling the dough between folds is essential for creating the flaky layers of the puff pastry.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving, Approximate Values)

  • Calories: 250 kcal
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg
  • Sodium: 200mg

FAQs

  1. Can I make the dough in advance?
    • Yes! You can prepare the dough a day in advance. Just keep it wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the pastries.
  2. Can I freeze these pastries?
    • Absolutely! You can freeze the unbaked pastries and bake them directly from frozen. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
  3. What other fillings can I use?
    • You can try Nutella, apple filling, custard, or savory options like cheese and ham.
  4. Why is my dough not rising properly?
    • Make sure your yeast is fresh, and follow the resting times closely to allow the dough to rise properly. Also, ensure your oven is preheated to the right temperature.

Conclusion

Triple Crispy Puff Pastries are a delightful combination of sweet and savory, with buttery, flaky layers that are hard to resist. Although making puff pastry from scratch requires patience, the process is worth it once you take that first bite into the crispy exterior and discover the sweet jam-filled center. This recipe is perfect for a special breakfast, dessert, or even an afternoon snack. You can also get creative with the fillings, making this recipe endlessly adaptable for different occasions. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a novice, this recipe will guide you to success with a delicious homemade pastry treat.