Endlessly rolling layers of butter into dough is a totally worthwhile pursuit for professional bakers and those looking for a time-consuming and arm-sculpting hobby. But for us mere mortals, buying pre-made puff pastry dough is a smart, commonsense shortcut, especially when you're cooking with kids, who can easily cut, twist, and assemble the dough into dozens of delicious creations. Here are some of our favorite puff pastry treats to make with children:
1. Apple and Nut Butter Tarts
Thanks to store-bought pastry dough and nut butter, these apple tarts come together easily and are an easy cooking project to tackle with kids, even on a weeknight (really!). Let the kids roll out the puff pastry dough and place it onto parchment paper. They can also help spread the nut butter and apple butter onto the dough, and pile the fruit into the tarts.
2. Vegetable Tart
The simplest dinner in the world is store-bought pastry topped with some vegetables, cheese, and a sprinkling of herbs. In summer, a tomato tart is one of our go-to recipes. Make it autumnal by topping puff pastry dough with butternut squash kicked up with wintery, delicious sage, and give it plenty of kid-friendly sweetness with a drizzle of honey. Really, though, you can make a tart withwhatever vegetablesyour kids are into.
3. 3-Ingredient Cinnamon Twists
All you need to make this delicious treat is sugar, cinnamon, and puff pastry dough. They're warming, buttery, and sweet—perfect for an easy fall weekend baking project. Kids will love twisting the sticks of pastry dough to make beautiful little flutes. And they'll love eating them.
4. Baked Brie
Baked brieis a stunning dinner party appetizer that is sure to disappear in about 10 minutes flat. It's sophisticated, but gooey and delicious enough that kids will also enjoy it. Plus, many kids can take this project on independently (and they'll be very proud to have helped prep a "fancy" appetizer). Just pick a brie, add a filling like jam to make things more exciting, and wrap the whole thing in rolled-out, store-bought pastry dough. Boom: time to eat gooey, melty cheese wrapped in buttery deliciousness.
5. Waffles
Here's a concept that will change your life:the Puffle。What's the Puffle, you ask? It's a waffle made of store-bought puff pastry dough and filled with the decadent sweet concoction of your choice. Make an almond butter and jelly Puffle, or acroque-madamePuffle, or even a S'more Puffle. They're all amazing.
6. Things in a Blanket
A hot dog wrapped in a buttery blanket of pastry dough is a treat universally beloved by the young and old. We've got some fun twists on the classic, likemustard and sauerkrautpigs in a blanket full of German flavors, and a spicy version that includestangy hoisin sauce。还有一个好吃,甜且好吃的素食主义者arian option:figs in a blanket。But for the ultimate kid-friendly version, simply have the kids wrap pieces of hot dog in puff pastry dough. You can't beat a classic.
7. Vegetable Puffs
Puff pastry, spinach, creamy cheese, and some muffin tins. That's what you need for a delicious savory appetizer that comes together in about half an hour.
8. Breakfast Casserole
This creamy breakfast casserole with Gruyère, bacon, and spinach has a beautiful lattice top that looks complicated. But, thanks to the power of store-bought puff pastry dough, you and your kids can pull it off easily. This is a stunning dish that will feed a crowd.
9. Turnovers
Turnovers: all of the deliciousness of pie but better. Who doesn't like an adorable, hand-held, single-serving treat? Plus, they're easy to shape (simply fold ingredients into dough—no fancy top-crust situation required). And when made with puff pastry, they're are especially flaky and buttery. If your family isn't crazy about apples, you can fill your turnovers with whatever fruit compote you prefer.
10. Pot Pie
This skillet pot pie comes together super easily thanks to rotisserie chicken and store-bought pastry dough. Sage, kale, and butternut squash give the dish extra-cozy, wintery flavor (and a boost of nutrition!). But, really this pot pie should just be your inspiration. Use whatever meat you like and any vegetables you have on hand for a hearty weeknight dinner that kids can help prepare.
11. Palmiers
Palmiers are a crunchy, flaky cookie made of nothing more than puff pastry and sugar cut into an elegant shape. A sprinkling of cinnamon or nutmeg make lovely additions to the classic recipe, or you can also makesavoryversions.
12. Empanadas
Turn leftovers—Thanksgiving or otherwise—into a savory, empanada-inspired tart.
13. Mille-Feuille
The thousand-layer French pastry may seem fancy and intimidating, but with prepared pastry it comes together easily and looks just as impressive and elegant.
14. Doughnuts
Remember the finger-stopping Internet and culinary phenomenon that was the cronut? Turns out you don't need to wait in line for it (is there even a line anymore?). Simply have your kids cut store-bought dough into doughnut shapes using a round pastry cutter. Then add powdered sugar and maple syrup, and fry up the flaky rounds for a decadent treat.
