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Puff pastry is the ultimate shortcut for desserts that look fancy but take almost no work. This puff pastry dessert recipes roundup is packed with recipes that turn simple ingredients into something special. There’s fruit-filled tarts, golden turnovers, and chocolatey pastries that are ideal for holidays, brunch, or a sweet weekend treat.
If there’s one ingredient that deserves a permanent spot in your freezer, it’s frozen puff pastry dough. This flaky, buttery dough has the power to turn the simplest fillings into desserts that look like they came straight from a bakery. From golden tarts and elegant apple roses to bite-sized pastries dripping with chocolate, puff pastry makes it easy to pull off a show-stopping sweet without having to worry about spending hours in the kitchen.
Puff pastry does most of the work for you and all you have to do is add the fun stuff. Fresh fruit, sweet fillings or keep it simple with a drizzle of your favorite glaze!
In this post, you’ll find some of my favorite puff pastry recipes along with creative ideas from other bakers that are just too good not to share. Whether you’re craving something cozy and spiced for fall, bright and fruity for spring, or rich and chocolatey for any time, there’s a little bit of everything here.
It doesn’t matter if you are prepping something gorgeous for the holidays, need a last-minute addition to a brunch spread or perhaps you’re just craving something sweet and buttery. These are the recipes to reach for every time!
puff pastry dessert recipes
Nutella Puff Pastry Pies
If you love Nutella, these flaky Nutella puff pastry pies are for you. Packed with hazelnut-chocolate goodness, they are perfect for any level of baker. All you need is a handful of ingredients and 30 minutes until you have a warm chocolate puff pastry in your hands.
Plum Ginger Tart Tatin
Plum Ginger Tart Tatin is sweet with a slight hint of spice, perfect for the upcoming cooler months. This version of a tart satin includes a puff pastry bottom, making it a super simple dessert to have on the table throughout the holidays. The last couple of weeks in the kitchen have been a wee bit
Nutella Cherry Tart
A Nutella Cherry Tart is the only summer picnic dessert you need in your life this summer. It’s rich, fruity and packed with Nutella for all you Nutella-obsessed folks out there – essentially it’s like eating a Nutella-covered cherry. You’re welcome. I’m back on the Nutella addiction train, friends… and it’s not looking good. I might
Nutella Rhubarb Puff Pastry Croissants
Yes, you can treat yourself to delicious homemade pastries and not take hours to do it! Nutella Rhubarb Puff Pastry Croissants are about to become your new favorite breakfast straight from the oven.
Easy Lemon Sugar Buns
With a burst of lemon zest, these bright and light sugar buns are the best way to start the day. Only 5 ingredients and a few steps are required to make this easy recipe!
Pumpkin Pasties (Hand Pies)
Bring a little magic to your kitchen with these Pumpkin Pasties! Inspired by the Harry Potter series, these handheld pies feature a buttery, flaky crust filled with sweet pumpkin and topped with a simple glaze. They’re the ultimate fall treat for sharing—or keeping all to yourself.
Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Danish
Layers of golden puff pastry meet a rich vanilla-almond cream cheese filling in these easy homemade danishes. Add a pop of berries or your favorite fruit preserves, then finish with a drizzle of creamy almond sugar icing. Perfect for brunch, holidays, or when you want bakery-style pastries without leaving home.
Upside-Down Puff Pastry Apple Tart
This upside-down tart is proof that dessert doesn’t have to be complicated to impress. Caramelized apples meet buttery puff pastry for a dessert that’s elegant, rustic, and downright irresistible. Serve a slice warm for the ultimate fall indulgence.
Red, White & Blue Puff Pastry Tart
This festive puff pastry tart is as simple as it is stunning. With just 5 ingredients, you can create a patriotic treat layered with cream cheese, fresh berries, dusting of powdered sugar, and a sweet drizzle—perfect for the Fourth of July, brunches, or any celebration that calls for something colorful and delicious.
Air Fryer Puff Pastry Breakfast Bites
These two-ingredient breakfast bites are the easiest way to bring golden brown café vibes to your kitchen. Made in the air fryer, they’re golden, flaky, and perfect with a hot cup of coffee—no trip to Paris required.
Apple Puff Pastry Turnovers
Crisp, golden puff pastry wrapped around tender cinnamon-spiced apples, these turnovers are the definition of simple comfort. With just four ingredients, this recipe makes it easy to whip up a warm, cozy dessert any time the craving hits.
Brown Butter Pear Pandowdy
This pear pandowdy combines juicy pears, nutty brown butter, and warm spices, all tucked under a golden puff pastry crust. As it bakes, the filling bubbles over the top, creating a caramelized, crackly finish that’s pure magic. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Peach Tarte Tatin
This peach tarte Tatin is summer elegance made easy. Sweet peaches are caramelized to perfection, then topped with flaky puff pastry for a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream.
Easy Baked Apple Roses
Turn simple ingredients into a show-stopping dessert with these beautiful Baked Apple Roses. Thinly sliced apples are rolled in buttery puff pastry, dusted with cinnamon, and baked until golden. Add a sprinkle of crushed walnuts for extra crunch and a nutty twist that makes every bite irresistible. It’s like apple pie, but prettier.
Strawberry Puff Pastry Tarts
These easy strawberry tarts taste as good as they look! Buttery puff pastry is topped with mascarpone whipped cream and fresh, glazed strawberries for a spring dessert that’s light, elegant, and incredibly simple to make.
Homemade Puff Pastry Pop Tarts
These homemade pop tarts take the classic favorite to a whole new level. Flaky layers of puff pastry are filled with sweet-tart blueberry lemon jam and baked to golden perfection with a sugar glaze on top. Best part? They’re quick and easy, thanks to store-bought puff pastry.
Cherry Puff Pastry Turnovers
Flaky, buttery puff pastry wrapped around sweet cherry filling—these turnovers are the ultimate easy dessert (or breakfast treat). Finish them with a drizzle of vanilla glaze for a bakery-worthy touch that everyone will love.
Rhubarb Frangipane Puff Pastry Tart
This stunning tart layers a buttery puff pastry base with rich almond cream and tart rhubarb stalks for a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is flavorful. Finished with flaked almonds and a hint of orange, it’s a perfect spring or summer bake that looks impressive but is surprisingly easy to make.
essential tools for puff pastry desserts
When working with puff pastry, the key is not to let it get too warm when you roll it out. That’s why I highly recommend using a marble rolling pin and marble board to keep things cool, especially when it’s hot outside.
Use a sharp knife or even a pizza cutter for those neat and even pastry cuts.
For most recipes, you’ll also need a pastry brush to add an egg wash to get that glossy, golden final result.
Make sure to line your half rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for any sheet pan recipes.
Use a cooling rack so your pastries stay crisp. No soggy bottoms here!
pair it with a drink!
All of these pastries pair really well with your favorite mug of coffee, a cozy mug of tea, or a fancy espresso drink.
Hot chocolate like my best slow cooker hot chocolate recipe or baileys hot chocolate recipe are ideal for cozy nights during the fall and winter seasons.
If you want a boozy option or are in a celebratory mood (I am looking at you Christmas!) try something with sparkling wine like easy champagne sangria or a strawberry champagne cocktail.
about meghan
Meghan Yager is the recipe developer, food photographer, and creative force behind Cake ‘n Knife, where everyday moments are celebrated with bold, flavor-forward recipes. From cozy cocktails to bold appetizers and indulgent desserts, her approachable style brings people together around food worth sharing. Meghan’s work has been featured by Good Housekeeping, Oprah Daily, Today, Woman’s Day, and The Huffington Post. She lives in Denver, where she brings big flavor and a little sass to every bite.
