Puff Pastry Recipe

Cowbridge Kitchen

About This Recipe

It is true that puff pastry is probably just easier to buy than make. But there is something very satisfying about making your own puff pastry.

This puff pastry is actually a Rough puff Pastry and it is great for making Pies and Sausage Rolls.

I have used this pastry for my Minced Beef & Onion Pie and it turned out perfectly. ...

History of Puff Pastry
The history of puff pastry is a fascinating journey that traces back to ancient culinary traditions, with its origins believed to be in the Middle East before making its way to Europe.

The technique of creating layered dough, which is essential to puff pastry, was refined during the Renaissance period, particularly in France, where it became a staple in both sweet and savory dishes.

The process involves folding butter into a dough multiple times to create thin layers, which, when baked, expand and produce a light, flaky texture.

This method was popularized by chefs such as Marie-Antoine Carême in the 19th century, who elevated puff pastry to an art form, using it in elaborate pastries and gourmet dishes.

Over the years, puff pastry has evolved, with variations emerging across different cultures, yet its fundamental technique remains a testament to the ingenuity of culinary craftsmanship.

Today, it is celebrated worldwide, featured in an array of dishes from classic French mille-feuille to savory tarts.

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Serves: Four

Tricky

Cook in: No cooking

Prep: 2hr 35

Equipment:
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What is Rough Puff Pastry

Puff pastry, also known as pâte feuilletée, it is made from folding layers of pastry dough with layers of butter.

Making Puff Pastry takes ages, it is a true labour of love.

Today it is probably easier and cheaper to just buy ready made puff pastry.

How to make Puff Pastry

Cuisine:French

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Ingredients Nutrition Cost

500 g plain flour
250 ml of cold milk
150 g of butter (diced)
100 g of butter for rolling
1/2 tsp salt

VegetarianEgg freeNut free

Nutrition:
This is based on a 28g
of pastry

Calories: 158High
Protein: 2.1g
Fat: 11g
Carbohydrates: 13g
Fiber: 0.4g
Sugar: 0.2g

Low sugarHigh calories

Cost to make:
£ / $ (Est.)

*Prices may vary.

Cooking Instructions

Put the flour into a large mixing bowl and add the salt. To start this puff pastry we are going to treat it like ordinary short crust and make a rough breadcrumb mix.
Dice the butter and add it to the flour and salt. Work the butter with your fingers , be sure not to over work this all you need is a very rough breadcrumb mix, so leave medium size pieces of butter through out the mix.
The secret to this pastry is to keep it cold at all times so I am using full fat milk out of the fridge, pour the milk into the flour then combine with a fork.
Once you have a rough dough get your hands in and work it into a pastry. You can then tip it out onto a floured surface and work it for a few minutes.

Wrap the pastry up in cling film and refrigerate it for 30 minutes.
Put the remaining butter between a folded piece of silicone or grease proof paper then slowly roll it into a flat rectangle. Refrigerate the sheet for about 20 minutes.
Once the pastry and the butter are cold it is time to start rolling and folding the dough.
Roll out the dough into a rectangle that is twice as long as it is wide then after removing half of the silicon paper from the slab of butter turn the butter out onto one half of the rolled pastry.
Using your hand rub the butter trough the paper so that is sticks to the pastry, you will need to rub it quite hard, then peel off the backing paper.
Fold the pastry over the butter then fold again, this is roll #1.
Refrigerate again for 10 minutes.

You need to repeat this process a minimum of 6 times up to 15 - 20 times. The more time you invest at this stage the better result you will get.
Keep rolling the pastry into a rectangle twice as long as it is wide, fold the ends into the centre then fold in half , wrap it up and refrigerate.
By the end of this process you will be left with a fat block of light buttery pastry that you can cut in half , wrap in clingfilm and freeze for a few months if you like.
When you cut it in half you should be able to see all of the light layers you have created.

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Chefs Tips

You can wrap this pastry in clingfilm and freeze it for another day.

Variations

None

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