RECIPES FOR PUFF PASTRY, MY HOLIDAY SECRET WEAPON

Frozen puff pastry is my go-to secret weapon for the holidays. I keep it on hand for those situations when you have last minute guests or simply run out of time to get something made. Find puff pastry in boxes in the frozen food section of the store where you'd find frozen pie crust or rolls. Keep a few boxes in your freezer for a delicious and elegant appetizer or dessert. Easy, impressive and fast; you will wonder how you lived without it. 

Here are a few of my favorite recipes using puff pastry that are simply perfect when you need to pull together something fast and absolutely delicious!

PUFF PASTRY PALMIERS

These are those swirled cookies that you often see in bakeries in France or Argentina, often referred to as elephant ears.

Get the recipe...

These Puff Pastry Palmiers or "elephant ear" cookies are so simple to make. Roll out the puff pastry into sugar and cinnamon and you've got a buttery, sugary bite of heaven.

STRAWBERRY NAPOLEONS

Napoleons are absolutely one of the easiest desserts to make but they are also one of the most impressive looking desserts you can serve to guests. They'll never guess how simple they are to make! Get the recipe....

Strawberry Napoleons are so pretty, so easy, so delicious.... and with puff pastry, there are soooo many possibilities!

PUFF PASTRY PARTY SQUARES

I made this recipe for Food Network Star when I needed something using pastrami that would travel well and taste good served room temperature. This is best served warm and not hot straight from the oven. You can use just about anything you want inside the pastry. I used ham and cheese since it is an eternal favorite but you can use beef, pork or even vegetables. Get the recipe...

RECIPE: HOT BUTTERED RUM COCKTAIL

You can mix up the base for Hot Buttered Rum and keep it in the freezer until you are ready to make a batch. Perfect for holiday get-togethers.

I was introduced to Hot Buttered Rum after skiing in Beaver Creek, Colorado a few years ago and have been in love with it ever since. This cocktail recipe is perfect for the holidays because you can make a large batch in advance and keep the mixture in the freezer until you're ready to use it. Then all you have to do is scoop the mixture into a mug, add the rum, and fill with hot water.

This recipe is really rich-- almost like a dessert and it is soooo yummy.

HOT BUTTERED RUM

INGREDIENTS

1 pound Confectioners' sugar

1 pound brown sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon grated nutmeg

Pinch ground cloves

Pinch of salt

1 pound unsalted butter, softened

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 quart good quality vanilla ice cream, melted

DIRECTIONS:

Sift the dry ingredients together into the bowl of your mixer. Add the butter and vanilla. On medium high speed, cream the butter and sugars together. Lower the speed and drizzle in the melted ice cream, a little at a time, scraping down the sides as you go.

Freeze until firm.

To make a mug: Place 1 1/2 ounces good quality dark rum (I like Appleton Estates) in a mug along with two generous scoops of the mix-- more if you have a big mug. Fill the mug with boiling water. Top with a little fresh grated nutmeg-- just a little- and serve with a cinnamon stick for garnish.

RECIPE: PUFF PASTRY STRAWBERRY NAPOLEONS

Easy to make but impressive to serve, these Strawberry Napoleons made from frozen puff pastry you buy in a box at the store will be your new go-to for dessert. I've made these with all sorts of fillings...

Be creative and use your own favorite flavors or whatever fruit that is in season. Find the puff pastry in a box (Pepperidge Farm is good and readily available at most stores) in the same section where you find frozen pie crust and frozen rolls.

Simply cut puff pastry sheets you find m the freezer section of the store into the size or shape you like, bake, slice, and fill with your favorite fruit and flavored whipped cream.

STRAWBERRY NAPOLEONS

INGREDIENTS

2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

2 tablespoons Grand Marnier (optional)

1 cup whipping cream

1 cup Marscapone cheese

1 tablespoon vanilla

3 tablespoons + more Confectioners sugar (you will need some for garnish)

1 orange for a bit of juice and the zest (optional)

1 box of frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package directions

all-purpose flour (for rolling pastry)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  

Clean, core and slice strawberries. Put in a bowl with the sugar and Grand Marnier. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine the whipping cream, vanilla and 2-3 tablespoons of the Confectioners sugar plus 2 tablespoons orange juice (or use Grand Marnier) and 1 teaspoon orange zest. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form. Fold in the Marscapone cheese. Spoon into a piping bag. Refrigerate.

Dust the work surface with a little flour so it won't stick. Open one package of the puff pastry. Cut along the fold lines to make 3 pieces and cut each of those into 4 pieces. Repeat with the second package. Put on the baking sheet and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack.

Split each of the puff pastry squares in half. Put the bottom halves on a serving plate. Pipe with whipping cream mixture.

Drain the strawberries. Add a layer on top of the whipped cream. Pipe some additional whipping cream and put on the top. Dust with powdered sugar.

There are a million variations on this recipe. Add a drizzle of melted chocolate for an extra special finish.

Cook fresh fruits like peaches, apples, pears, or plums until they are slightly softened. Add some sugar and heat until dissolved. Add brandy or other liqueur (off the heat so it won't flame) to create a sauce. Allow to cool before spooning onto the puff pastry. Or use frozen fruit with a little sugar and the brandy to accomplish the same thing.