9th December - pastry day
Pastry has to be one of the worlds most popular baked goods because of it's versatility; it comes in all shapes and sizes as well able to be baked with a countless variety of toppings and fillings. You can have it sweet or savoury, for breakfast or supper. The possibilities when baking with pastry are endless!
To celebrate Pastry Day this year we wanted to add a festive spin on our recipes. We've got two very easy recipes for you to try that take next to no time at all to prepare but look and taste amazing when they are done.
Enjoy them on any day of the week, but as these look as good as they taste, they make great party food too!
Nutella Pastry Christmas Tree
Ingredients:
- 2x 375g packs of ready-rolled puff pastry
- 4 tbsp of Nutella (or another chocolate spread of your choice)
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- Toppings: icing sugar
Serving suggestion:
This pastry is perfect for parties. Serve on a platter, dusted with icing sugar to make it look all snowy and festive!
Method:
1) Preheat the oven to 190c and line a baking tray with baking paper.
2) Sprinkle a little flour onto a surface. Roll out one sheet of puff pastry onto the floured surface.
3) Place the pastry sheet onto a baking sheet.
4) Using a sharp knife, lightly score the pastry into the shape of a Christmas tree, ensuring you put a wide base too. Then spread the chocolate spread over the Christmas tree shape making sure all parts of the shape are covered.
5) Roll out the second sheet of puff pastry out and cover the first sheet, so that both rectangles are together.
6) Using the knife, cut the pastry into the shape of the Christmas tree, pulling away any excess pastry as you go along.
7) Lightly score two lines down the middle of the tree shape, narrower at the top and wider at the bottom towards the base of the tree.
8) Using the "trunk" as a guide, cut 3cm strips as branches for the tree.
9) Carefully twist each branch at least 2 times, working from the base upwards to the top of the tree. On smaller branches you may only need one twist.
10) Brush the pastry with the beaten egg, this will help it go a nice golden colour in the oven.
11) Bake for 12-15 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.
Cheesy Pastry Stars
Ingredients:
- 1x 375g pack of ready-rolled puff pastry
- 60g graden cheddar cheese
- 20g grated parmesan
- 2tbsp milk
- 2tbsp sesame seeds or poppy seeds
Method:
1) Preheat the oven to 180c and line two baking trays with baking paper.
2) Sprinkle a little flour onto a surface and onto a rolling pin. Roll out one sheet of puff pastry onto the floured surface, rolling it until it has doubled in size.
3) Using a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut the pastry into as many stars as you can. Cutting them close to each other will waste less pastry.
4) Place the stars onto the baking trays.
5) Using a pastry brush, brush the stars with milk. Then add a pinch of each cheese to the top of each one. Followed by a pinch of seeds.
6) Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the stars have risen and turned golden.
7) Allow to cool slightly before serving.