While a good pie crust is in every baker’s repertoire, sometimes you need to make fabulous, flaky desserts in a pinch. That’s where puff pastry comes in. Find it in the frozen aisle of your grocery store, and use it to make a variety of pastries for every occasion. We’re not saying it’s magic, but it will make your holiday dessert wishes come true. And working with frozen puff pastry is easier than you think. Each of these festive desserts will steal the show, and no one will believe you did it all with store-bought dough. Discover 13 easy puff pastry desserts that always impress.
Easy Apple Strudel
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“Made this for dessert on Christmas and the family loved it! We made 2 smaller pastries instead of one big one and added walnuts to the filling. Quick, easy & delicious!” —ShellsOnVanIsland
Cinnamon Palmiers
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Reviewer Jeri says “Tried these last night. Four people devoured them all in 5 minutes! Delicious! So simple and they look like you picked them up at the bakery… I will buy several boxes of frozen puff pastry and keep it on hand to make this simple dessert anytime I am in a pinch or just feel like giving my family a scrumptious treat!”
Puff Pastry Cherry Crostata
lutzflcat
“This cherry crostata, or galette, is free-form and rustic with all the flavors of cherry pie but with a flaky, buttery, puff pastry crust,” says recipe contributor Pat Bernitt.
Puff Pastry Twists
Pat Bernitt
“These cinnamon puff pastry twists are a handheld, flaky, sweet treat that is kid-friendly, adult approved, and made with few ingredients and minimal effort.” —Pat Bernitt
Nutella Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
Allrecipes / Sonia Bozzo
This stunning Christmas tree pastry will take center stage on any dessert table. Reviewer Abanans says, “A friend made this the other day for an afternoon tea break and we gobbled it up. It was delicious! So I went and bought puff pastry and Nutella® and just made two trees this afternoon. So quick and easy that I didn’t even need to refer to the recipe.”
Pear Tart
Put seasonal pears on display at your next holiday gathering. Recipe creator Nicholio says, “Using the Hasselback method on pears makes them even easier to arrange in this delicious fall tart.”
French Puff Pastry Tart with Pears and Chocolate
Allrecipes
“This pear tart has everything that complements pears: a puff pastry base, chocolate, custard, and almonds.” —Recipe creator UneTortuedanslaCuisine
Apple Turnovers
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“This apple turnover recipe includes a delicious homemade filling that’s baked inside flaky puff pastry triangles,” says recipe contributor Maureen O’Leary. “I like to drizzle a sweet glaze on top when they are cooled or serve warm with vanilla ice cream.”
Individual Honeycrisp Apple Tarts
Allrecipes / Ana Cadena
“With just a few ingredients and no special equipment other than a potato peeler, someone who’s never baked before can create this beautiful dessert that looks like it came from a professional pastry shop.” —Chef John
Nutella Twists
Chloe Gebacz
“These Nutella twists are such an easy way to impress. They come together with only 3 ingredients in only 30 minutes.” —Recipe submitter Chloe Gebacz
Raspberry Pain au Chocolat (Raspberry Chocolate Croissants)
Chef Mo
Raspberry and chocolate were made for each other, just like this elegant pastry was made to wow at your holiday gathering. Recipe creator allison125 describes this pastry as, “Flaky puff pastry is filled with chocolate-hazelnut spread and all-fruit raspberry spread in this delectable treat. I concocted this on a whim one afternoon, and after one bite, I knew it was one for the books! Simple, elegant, and delicious.”
Nutella Star Bread with Puff Pastry
Fioa
This pull-apart bread is perfect for feeding a crowd, and the star pattern gives it the perfect festive touch. Reviewer DolceVita says, “As I was letting it cool down, I had to step away for a minute. When I returned to the kitchen to take a picture of it, I found my husband devouring it. He couldn’t stop raving about.”
Dining and Cooking