Best Apricot Puff Pastry Squares Recipes

FRENCH APRICOT PASTRY RECIPE

Steps:

• The day before, make the pastry cream.
• In a medium sauce pan add the milk, sugar, and vanilla bean paste and pod. Bring to a simmer and the vanilla seeds rise to the top. Fish out the vanilla bean pod with tongs, and allow the milk mixture to cool slightly.
• In a large mixing bowl add egg yolks and cornstarch. Whisk together until a pale-yellow paste forms. Slowly add the milk mixture to the paste mixture, whisking until combined.
• Strain mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a cleaned-out sauce pot. Heat mixture on medium high heat, whisking all the while until thickened. Soon after a pastry cream will begin to form. Whisk until it reaches pudding-like consistency. Whisk in butter.
• Transfer pastry cream to a shallow bowl and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or until completely cooled.
• Drain apricots of their syrup and place on a plate. Place 1 puff pastry square on a floured surface, rotating it to a diamond shape facing you. Spread 2 tablespoons of pastry cream in the center of the diamond. Spread out to about 3 inches long. Place apricots, cut side down at the edge of the pastry cream.
• Brush the perimeter of the pastry with egg wash. Then take the two-outer points of the diamond, at the sides and bring them towards the center, folding one over the other and brushing seal with the egg wash to affix it together. Brush the outer pastry area with egg wash as well.
• At this point, pastry cream should not be visible when you fold this up, only apricots should be visible.
• Gently place a floured metal spatula under the pastry and transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Continue the process until 6 pastries are formed. Place the tray in the fridge, tented lightly with foil until ready to bake.
• To bake place pastries into a pre-heated 400F (200C) oven for 20-25 mins or until golden brown and puffed up. Allow to cool slightly.
• Meanwhile place the apricot jam in a sauce pan to melt the jam and liquefy. Brush the jam on the pastries and apricots to create a shiny surface. Transfer to a platter and serve immediately.

APRICOT-PUFF PASTRY SQUARES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425ºF.
• Unfold pastry sheet on cutting board; cut into 9 squares. Place in single layer on parchment-covered baking sheet.
• Use tip of sharp knife to score lines 1/2 inch from edges of each square; prick center of each square with fork. Brush with milk; sprinkle with nuts.
• Bake 13 to 15 min. or until golden brown. Cool completely.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in medium skillet on medium heat. Add sugar and apricots; stir. Cook 5 min. or until apricots are softened, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Let stand until ready to use.
• Top pastry squares with COOL WHIP and apricot mixture just before serving.

APRICOT PUFF PASTRY TWISTS WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Roll out puff pastry into a rectangle, about 12 by 15 inches. Spread preserves over the dough, to within 1/2-inch of the edges. Fold dough in half lengthwise. Gently roll again to seal edges. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut dough crosswise into 1/2-inch thick strips. Take each strip by the ends and tie into a knot. Arrange knots on a large baking sheet and press down the ends. Bake 6 to 10 minutes, until puffed up and golden brown.
• Scoop frozen yogurt or ice cream into dessert bowls and lay twists over top.

APRICOT & ALMOND BISTRO TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 220C/gas 7/fan 200C. Unroll the pastry on to a lightly dampened baking sheet (this creates steam which helps puff up the pastry), then sprinkle over the ground almonds. Lay the apricot halves over the top, nestling them closely together, right up to the edge of the pastry.
• Dust with the icing sugar and bake for 20-25 minutes until the sugar starts to caramelise a little. If you like, drizzle with maple syrup and serve hot, warm or cold. If you really want to indulge, serve with a spoonful of clotted cream or a pouring of single cream.