Easy Puff Pastry Braid Recipe with Jam

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Easy Puff Pastry Braid Recipe with Jam

5 from 5 votes

Super easy, 2 ingredient, pastry wreath filled with jam

Prep Time15

Cook Time20

Total Time35

Servings: 6 people

Author: Maria Corcuera

Ingredients

1 sheet Pastry Dough
1/3 Cup Jam any flavor you like
2 tablespoons Dusting Sugar and edible flowers Optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If your store-bought puff pastry comes with one, you can certainly use it.
Dust a surface with flour or work over parchment paper to prevent pastry from sticking.
Place puff pastry dough in a single layer on top of the lightly floured surface. If the dough is too hard, let it come to room temperature for a few minutes. If you feel that your pastry is uneven, use a rolling pin to smooth it out.
Spread raspberry jam evenly on top of your pastry, leaving a 2-inch border on the edges of the sheet.
1 sheet Pastry Dough, 1/3 Cup (113.3 g) Jam
Starting with the long edge, roll the dough tightly until a big log is formed. Excess Jam will start to puddle when forming your log, if this happens, remove the excess with a spoon and continue rolling
Pinch with your fingers the sides of the pastry to the log so it doesn't open when cut or baked. With a sharp knife cut your log in half, then twist both strips together, to form a braid appearance. Press one end of the braid slightly on top of the other, pinching with your fingers to close and form a wreath.
Place your cookie sheet inside the preheated oven, and bake for 20 minutes or until the top of the wreath is golden brown
Let cool completely, dust with powdered sugar, and decorate with edible flowers if desired
2 tablespoons Dusting Sugar and edible flowers

Notes

Filling substitutions for this buttery puff pastry

The next time you make this dessert, you can switch up the filling for any of these options.

Cream Cheese. You can fill your braid with a Cream cheese mixture instead. Mix 8 ounces of cream cheese and 1/4 Cup of powdered sugar, spread your cream cheese filling on top of the sheet puff pastry, and add chocolate chips on top of the cream cheese. Braid as directed above.
Nutella. For a Nutella puff pastry braid just spread 1/4 cup of Nutella on top of your pastry sheet, braid, and bake as directed.
Fresh fruit. Use your fruit choice to fill your puff pastry dessert: fresh berries, banana, or apple, and add a drizzle of maple syrup on top of the fruit
Cinnamon. Mix 1/4 cup turbinado sugar or brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 2 teaspoons of melted butter for some puff pastry cinnamon twists
Holiday Season: Add sweet cranberry sauce and creamy brie as a filling for the festive season. If served warm, you'll have oozy brie cheese in every slice. You can add fresh rosemary for extra flavor.

Expert Tips

Use High-Quality Jam: Choose a good-quality jam with a thick consistency. Thinner jams can leak or make the pastry soggy.
Don’t Overfill: Spread the jam in a thin, even layer, leaving a small border on each side to prevent it from oozing out when baking.
Seal the Edges Properly: Press the edges together firmly to keep the jam from spilling out during baking. You can also brush a little water or egg wash along the edges for a tighter seal.
Score the Pastry: Gently score the top of the pastry with a knife before baking for added texture and to help the sheets of puff pastry pastry rise evenly.
Add Egg Wash for Color: Brushing the pastry with egg wash with a pastry brush will give it a golden, bakery-quality shine, enhancing the presentation.
Dust After Baking: If you’re using powdered sugar, sprinkle it after baking once the pastry has cooled slightly to prevent it from melting on hot pastry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use homemade puff pastry?

Yes, homemade puff pastry works well if you have it on hand! Just make sure it’s thoroughly chilled before you start assembling the wreath to keep it flaky and easy to work with.

How do I keep the jam from leaking?

Spread a thin, even layer and leave a small border along the edges to help prevent leaking. Sealing the edges tightly also helps.

How long does it stay fresh?

This dessert is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven. However, you can store leftovers at room temperature for up to two days.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Puff pastry is best served fresh. You can prepare the wreath, refrigerate it covered, and bake just before serving.

How can I reheat leftovers?

Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving as it may make the pastry soggy.

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