puff pastry

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A light flaky pastry that is formed by rolling and folding the dough in layers so that it expands when baked.

Prepared from alternating layers of fat and dough; upon baking steam accumulates between the dough layers and causes them to expand, forming large spaces between thin layers of pastry.

The French call this rich, delicate, multilayered pastry pâte feuilletée. It's made by placing pats of chilled fat (usually butter) between layers of pastry dough, then rolling it out, folding it in thirds and letting it rest. This process, which is repeated 6 to 8 times, produces a pastry comprising hundreds of layers of dough and butter. When baked, the moisture in the butter creates steam, causing the dough to puff and separate into hundreds of flaky layers. Puff pastry is used to make a variety of crisp creations including croissants, napoleons, palmiers and allumettes. It's also used as a wrapping for various foods such as meats, cheese and fruit.

Wikibooks Cookbook has an article on

Puff pastry

Apple turnover, made with puff pastry

In baking, a puff pastry (French: pâte feuilletée; Spanish: hojaldre; German: Blätterteig) is a light, flaky pastry containing several layers of butter.

Production

The dough of the same name, which is also called puff paste, is spread with butter and repeatedly folded and rolled out. The process can be time-consuming because the dough must be kept at a cool temperature (approximately 60°F) and must rest in between folds. Commercially made puff pastry is available in the freezer section of most grocery stores or supermarkets. Many substitute vegetable shortening instead of butter.

Puff pastry is not the same as Phyllo (filo) pastry, although you could substitute it if necessary. Phyllo dough is made with flour, water, and a small amount of oil; when it bakes, it becomes crispy and may resemble puff pastry. Puff pastry is made with flour, water, salt and lots of butter; when it bakes, it becomes flaky.

Common recipes featuring puff pastry

• Apple Turnover
• Steak and kidney pie and other types of pie
• Beef Wellington
• Sausage rolls

See also

Notes and references

Further reading

External links

Recepie for Indian way of cooking Puff Pastry http://www.spiceindiaonline.com/puff

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