Puff Pastry Stars
Delight your guests with these easy-to-make Puff Pastry Stars—golden, crispy, and perfectly flaky treats ideal for festive occasions or any celebration. Featuring a simple ingredient list and versatile options for sweet or savory variations, these charming star-shaped pastries offer an impressive presentation and delicious flavor with minimal effort.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 37-40 minutes
- Yield: 20-24 stars (depending on cutter size and puff pastry sheet dimensions) 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using gluten-free puff pastry sheets)
Main Ingredients
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)
- Optional fillings or toppings: jam, cinnamon sugar, shredded cheese (cheddar or parmesan), fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme)
- Sugar or sea salt for sprinkling
Vegan Option
- Plant-based puff pastry sheets
- Almond milk mixed with maple syrup (as egg wash substitute)
- Thaw the Puff Pastry: Remove frozen puff pastry sheets from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for about 20 minutes until pliable and easy to handle.
- Preheat Your Oven: Set the oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure even baking and that the pastry puffs beautifully.
- Cut the Stars: Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface and use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out star shapes as close together as possible to minimize waste.
- Add Fillings or Toppings: If desired, add a small spoonful of filling or sprinkle toppings inside each star, taking care not to overfill to prevent leakage.
- Create Layers (Optional): For puffier stars, cut twice the number of stars and sandwich two together with filling in the middle, sealing the edges gently with a fork.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush each star generously with the prepared egg wash to achieve a glossy, golden finish after baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the stars on a parchment-lined baking tray and bake for 12-15 minutes or until puffed and deep golden brown. Monitor closely after 10 minutes to avoid burning.
Notes
- Keep puff pastry chilled until cutting to help achieve better puffing in the oven.
- Handle the dough minimally to maintain its flaky texture.
- Always bake on parchment paper to prevent sticking and help even heat distribution.
- If layering stars, press edges firmly to prevent fillings from oozing out.
- Watch baking time closely; puff pastry can quickly turn from golden to burnt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 star (approximate)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: Puff Pastry Stars, Holiday Appetizers, Festive Treats, Easy Party Snacks, Sweet and Savory Pastry, Flaky Star Pastry