I had some puff pastry in my refrigerator which needed using up today. I had in mind to make some Portugese Custard Tarts, but I didn't have enough eggs and actually, in all truth . . . I was feeling more than a little bit lazy. What's a gal to do.
I always love those little puff pastry creations you can buy at the grocery shops over here. They call them Danish Pastries, but really . . . they are not like any Danish Pastries which I am well acquainted with. They are basically just puff pastry re-interpreted in a variety of tasty ways . . . like spread with custard and raisins or rhubarb and rolled up, or folded over custard and raspberry jam with little slits cut into the tops, etc. You get the picture I am sure.
I am a sucker for anything in pastry . . . especially sweet things in pastry, but you know . . . those fancy pastries don't come cheap! You pay a lot for them, and you only ever get two or at most three in a pack. If you have a hungry family breathing down your neck, you would need to buy two or three packs to have enough for everyone and please them all.
The truth is that, for probably not much more than the cost of a packet of puff pastry, you can actually get multiple tasty treats, which are not only delicious, but very easy to make as well.
Today I just simply spread it with some softened butter and sprinkled it with brown sugar and cinnamon. Then I sprinkled milk chocolate chips over top, rolled it up, cut it into slices and then baked them.
Easy peasy, lemon squeasy! But there are so many other things you could do to jazz it up even more, like adding some toasted and chopped nuts, or bits of dried fruit. You could do white chocolate chips, dried cranberries and pistachios! Orange zest and dried dates and toasted walnuts. Butterscotch chips, lemon zest and chopped sultanas. The possibilities are positively endless!
This is a simple idea that you can grab and run with like the wind. Your imagination is your only limit! mmm . . . dried blueberries, lime zest and chopped almonds . . . you see . . . my imagination is STILL running wild!
Food is supposed to be fun and inspiring, and so is cooking! Enjoy it! Life is too short not to.
*Easy Cinnamon Puffs*
Makes 12
Printable Recipe
Nothing could be easier. A lot cheaper than buying the ready made ones in the shops! So tasty too! In fact, downright delectable!
1 packet of ready roll all butter puff pastry
(One sheet, about 15 by 12 inches, thawed if frozen)
softened butter
100g soft light brown sugar (1/2 cup packed)
2 tsp ground cinnamon
90g of milk chocolate chips (1/2 cup)
1 egg yolk beaten with a touch of water
To glaze:
130g icing sugar, sifted (1 cup)
few drops vanilla
milk
Preheat the oven to 200*C/400*F/ gas mark 6. Line a large baking tray with some baking paper, or two smaller ones.
Unroll your puff pastry. Spread it all over with the softened butter. Mix together the cinnamon and brown sugar. Sprinkle this evenly over top. Sprinkle evenly with the chocolate chips. Roll up from the short end, pressing all together tightly. Using a sharp knife cut into 1 inch slices. Carefully slide them onto the prepared baking tray. Flatten each one slightly with your hand by pressing down gently. Brush each with some of the beaten egg. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until puffed and golden brown. Some of the filling will ooze out, but that's ok. Immediately upon removal from the oven scoop them off onto a wire rack to cool completely before proceeding.
Whisk together the icing sugar, vanilla and enough milk to give you a thick drizzle. Drizzle this decoratively over top of the puffs. Enjoy!
Note: You can go whole hog with these and add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts, chopped raisins, or cranberries. Make them your own!
