Puff Pastry and Seasonal Fruits: Winter Desserts for Every Occasion

Winter is the time to treat yourself to desserts that combine warm, flaky puff pastry with the best of the season’s fruit. As the cold wind blows in, there is nothing quite like the smell of fresh baking wafting through your home. Puff pastry with its buttery layers is the perfect match for apples, pears, oranges and even tart cranberries, turning simple ingredients into showstoppers. The magic is in the texture contrast, the crisp pastry and the soft, juicy fillings.

Whether you are having a family movie night or an elegant dinner party, puff pastry desserts are the answer. From rustic galettes to fancy fruit tarts, there is something for every occasion. And working with puff pastry is easier than you think, so you will get impressive results with minimal effort. Add a pinch of spice, like cinnamon or nutmeg, to the natural sweetness of winter fruit and you have got a dessert that is packed with flavor.

A Simple Guide To Bake Pear And Honey Puff Pastry

Pear and honey puff pastry galettes are an easy yet fancy dessert that combines the sweetness of ripe pears and honey with the flaky crunch of puff pastry.

Ingredients

1. 1 sheet puff pastry sheets
2. 2 ripe pears
3. 3 tsp honey
4. 1 tsp cinnamon
5. 1 tsp brown sugar
6. 1 tsp lemon juice
7. 1 tbsp butter
8. 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
9. Optional toppings: Whipped cream or vanilla ice crea

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).
2. Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a floured surface and cut into 4 squares. Place on a parchment-lined baking tray.
3. Toss the sliced pears with lemon juice, brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. This will prevent the pears from browning and enhance the flavor.
4. Place a few pear slices in the center of each pastry square, leaving about 1.5cm of border around the edges.
5. Drizzle with honey and fold the edges of the pastry inwards to create a rustic border.
6. Brush the folded edges with melted butter.
7. Bake for 18–20 minutes or until pastry is golden and pears are soft and caramelised.
8. Serve warm. With whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling fancy.

7 Delicious Fruity Puff Pastry For Winters

1. Cranberry And Orange Puff Pastry Tartlets

Winter in a nutshell is cranberries and oranges, so why not make these tartlets by combining fresh cranberries with orange zest, a bit of sugar and a pinch of cardamom for a fragrant and tangy filling? Spoon the mixture onto small puff pastry squares or circles and fold up the edges to hold the filling in. As they bake the cranberries burst and meld with the orange, creating a juicy sweet-tart filling to go with the crispy pastry.

2. Apple And Walnut Puff Pastry Braids

Take your classic apple dessert to the next level with this braided puff pastry. Slice apples thinly and toss with brown sugar, cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg. Add chopped walnuts to the mix for an earthy crunch to go with the tender spiced apples. Lay the filling down the center of a sheet of puff pastry, then cut and fold the edges into a braid. As it bakes the pastry will be golden and flaky and the apple and walnut filling will be caramelized.

3. Persimmon And Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Swirls

For a seasonal treat, persimmons bring a sweet and floral note to these swirls. Spread a layer of sweetened cream cheese over the puff pastry, then top with thin slices of ripe persimmons. Roll the pastry into a log and cut into swirls to show off the orange of the fruit in a spiral.

4. Spiced Plum Puff Pastry Roses

Turn plums into edible roses, slice the plums very thin and toss with sugar, cinnamon and a pinch of allspice. Lay the plum slices along a strip of puff pastry, overlapping slightly like rose petals, then roll into a rose shape. The plums will soften and caramelize as they bake and look stunning. Serve with powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey.

5. Pineapple And Ginger Puff Pastry Turnovers

Add a little tropical to your winter dessert spread with these pineapple and ginger turnovers. Dice fresh pineapple into small pieces and combine with grated ginger, sugar and a squeeze of lime juice for a zesty filling. Spoon the mixture onto squares of puff pastry, fold into triangles and seal the edges.

6. Kiwi And Vanilla Custard Puff Pastry Squares

Add some color to your dessert table with these kiwi and custard squares. Spread a thick layer of vanilla custard onto squares of puff pastry and top with kiwi slices arranged decoratively. The tartness of the kiwi is a nice contrast to the sweetness of the custard and the puff pastry is a crisp buttery base. Bake until golden and let cool slightly before serving.