Puff pastry is an incredibly versatile ingredient that I always make sure to have on hand in my freezer. It serves as my trusty topping for pot pies, the ideal foundation for a beautifully braided pastry, and a fantastic choice for crafting delectable cheese straws to dip into hearty soups or stews. The possibilities with this flaky, buttery dough are truly endless, extending to both sweet and savory creations such as tarts, turnovers, and everyone’s favorite, pigs in a blanket.
When it comes to selecting the best puff pastry, my unequivocal favorite is the one offered by Trader Joe’s. Having sampled a variety of brands, Trader Joe’s consistently emerges as the top contender in my baking adventures. This brand, however, is only available during the fall and winter seasons, prompting me to stock up on several boxes whenever it makes its limited-time appearance in stores. While Pepperidge Farm is another commonly found brand in my area and can suffice in a pinch, Trader Joe’s reigns supreme for two specific reasons.
First and foremost, Trader Joe’s puff pastry boasts the inclusion of real butter, with additional ingredients limited to unbleached wheat flour, vinegar, water, and sea salt. In contrast, Pepperidge Farm’s rendition utilizes shortening and incorporates corn syrup along with natural food coloring agents such as turmeric and annatto to mimic the appearance of butter. Should a dairy-free option be necessary, Pepperidge Farm is a viable choice. However, for those seeking the unparalleled quality of butter-infused puff pastry, Trader Joe’s emerges as the clear winner.
Secondly, Trader Joe’s puff pastry arrives in the form of two rolled-up sheets, eliminating the presence of folds or creases. Thawing this dough overnight in the refrigerator renders it pliable and exceedingly easy to handle. Simply sprinkle a bit of flour onto your work surface, unroll the dough, then proceed to shape it in any desired manner. Conversely, Pepperidge Farm’s puff pastry can be slightly stiffer and more challenging to work with due to its folded nature, resulting in creases upon removal from the packaging.
My personal preference for utilizing Trader Joe’s puff pastry centers around creating visually stunning yet effortlessly executed dessert braids. This process involves unrolling the puff pastry, slicing one-inch tabs along both sides, adding the desired filling down the center, and folding the tabs over in an alternating fashion to achieve a charming braided pattern. A combination of cream cheese with guava or quince paste serves as my go-to filling, resulting in a delectable treat. Once the braid is assembled, I typically bake it in my air fryer oven at 375ºF for approximately 15 minutes until it achieves a puffed and golden-brown finish. The simplicity and deliciousness of this preparation never fail to impress.
