Description
Buttery, flaky puff pastry elevates home baking without eggs, offering delicate layers of pure culinary delight. Crisp, golden pastry promises elegant desserts and savory treats that will surprise and impress you with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Flour and Liquid Ingredients:
- 500 grams bread flour
- 200 grams water
- 1.5 teaspoons (7.5 milliliters) salt
Fat Ingredients:
- 100 grams butter
- 250 grams margarine or butter for puff pastry
Optional Ingredients:
- Strawberry jam
- Egg yolk substitute for brushing
Instructions
- Create a smooth, pliable butter mixture by thoroughly blending softened butter with salt in a large mixing bowl until uniformly combined.
- Gradually incorporate bread flour and water into the butter mixture, kneading until a cohesive, elastic dough develops. Allow the dough to rest and relax for 20-25 minutes at room temperature.
- Gently knead the rested dough for approximately 3 minutes to develop gluten structure, then carefully divide into four equal portions using a sharp knife.
- Prepare the pastry butter by dividing margarine into four identical segments, ensuring each portion is precisely measured and at a cool room temperature.
- Carefully wrap each butter segment with a corresponding dough portion, meticulously sealing edges and pressing gently to distribute butter evenly throughout the dough.
- Using a rolling pin, transform the wrapped dough into a long, thin rectangle measuring approximately 40×12 cm, maintaining consistent thickness.
- Gently roll the rectangular dough into a compact cylinder, then let it rest for 10 minutes to allow gluten to relax and butter to redistribute.
- Re-roll each dough piece into a 35×10 cm rectangle, executing a precise half-lengthwise fold, followed by another fold to create multiple delicate layers.
- Preheat the oven to a high temperature of 220°C, preparing a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal heat distribution.
- Optional: Enhance flavor by brushing pastry surface with plant-based milk and spreading a thin layer of strawberry jam for added sweetness.
- Bake at 220°C for initial 10 minutes to activate rapid rising, then reduce temperature to 180°C and continue baking for 15-20 minutes until achieving a rich, golden-brown surface.
- Remove from oven and allow pastries to cool on a wire rack for optimal texture and flavor development.
Notes
- Chill ingredients beforehand to ensure the butter and dough remain cool, preventing fat from melting during preparation.
- Use a pastry scraper or bench knife to handle the dough smoothly and maintain clean, precise edges during rolling.
- Replace egg wash with plant-based milk or aquafaba for a vegan-friendly golden brown finish that mimics traditional egg glazing.
- Work quickly and maintain cold temperatures to achieve the signature flaky, layered texture typical of excellent puff pastry.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 320
- Sodium: 1900 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg