Description
Puff Pastry Stars are a quick and delightful treat that pairs buttery, flaky puff pastry with sweet or savory fillings. Perfect for snacks, parties, or appetizers, these charming star-shaped bites offer effortless elegance and delicious versatility, ready in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Frozen puff pastry sheets (quantity as needed, typically 1-2 sheets)
- Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water or milk)
- Flour for dusting (about 2 tablespoons)
Fillings and Toppings (choose based on preference)
- Cheese (e.g., sharp cheddar, quantity as desired)
- Cinnamon sugar (1 tablespoon sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon cinnamon)
- Jam (2-3 tablespoons, any flavor)
- Savory spreads (cream cheese, pesto, or similar, quantity as desired)
- Optional herbs or spices (fresh thyme, cinnamon, nutmeg, to taste)
- Additional optional fillings: Nutella or chocolate spread (1-2 tablespoons), diced jalapeños (1-2 tablespoons)
Instructions
- Thaw the Puff Pastry: Let your frozen puff pastry sheets thaw at room temperature for 20-30 minutes until soft enough to handle but still cool, ensuring easy rolling and cutting without tearing.
- Prepare Your Work Surface: Lightly dust a clean surface with flour to prevent sticking. Unfold the thawed pastry carefully, smoothing out any creases.
- Add Your Filling or Toppings: Spread a thin layer of your chosen filling evenly across half of the pastry sheet, leaving a small border for sealing. For savory stars, sprinkle herbs or cheese now.
- Fold and Cut Star Shapes: Fold the pastry sheet over the filling to create a sandwich. Using a star-shaped cookie cutter, press firmly to cut out your stars. Reroll any scraps gently to cut out more shapes.
- Brush with Egg Wash: Place the stars on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush each star lightly with egg wash to achieve a beautiful golden shine after baking.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes or until puffed and golden brown, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Notes
- Keep pastry and hands cold to prevent butter from melting prematurely.
- Do not overfill to avoid soggy stars or bursting during baking.
- Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Brush egg wash gently to maintain delicate pastry texture.
- Ensure even thickness when rolling for uniform baking and flakiness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 stars
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Puff Pastry Stars, flaky pastry, party snacks, appetizers, sweet and savory puff pastry, easy baking
