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Puff Pastry Squares

Print Recipe
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Keyword: dessert
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 400kcal
These are delicious and so easy to make for a quick breakfast treat! Get your kids involved in helping, and try them with different fillings -- what's not to like?

Equipment

  • baking sheet 13" x 18"
  • parchment paper or reusable silicone mat

Ingredients

  • Pastries
  • 1 Box Puff pastry (2 sheets) thawed in fridge overnight
  • 8 ounces Cream cheese softened
  • 1 Egg yolk
  • 3 Tablespoons Granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon Toasted marshmallow extract (or it could be hazelnut extract)
  • 6 Tablespoons Jam or preserves
  • 1 Egg for egg wash
  • 2 Tablespoons Water
  • Coarse sugar (optional)
  • Water as needed
  • Glaze (optional)
  • 3/4 cup Powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon Toasted marshmallow extract or vanilla extract
  • 2 Tablespoons Water or millk

Instructions

  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the egg yolk, sugar, and extracts, and mix until fully combined and creamy, set aside.
  • Remove the puff pastry sheets from the packaging. Working with one sheet at a time, unfold it onto a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, gently roll the pastry evenly in all directions, keeping a rectangular shape. The dough should only extend about ½–1 inch beyond its original size.
  • Cut the pastry along the two folded creases in one direction. Then cut once down the center in the opposite direction to create 6 equal rectangles.
  • Transfer the rectangles to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart. Using a knife, lightly score a rectangular border about ¼ inch from the edge of each rectangle. Do not cut all the way through the dough.
  • Place 1 Tablespoon of the cream cheese filling in the center of each rectangle and gently spread it, keeping it inside the scored border. Create a small well in the center and fill with 1–1½ teaspoons of jam, pie filling, or preserves.
  • To make the egg wash, whisk the egg and water until smooth. Lightly brush the egg wash around the scored edges of the dough. Sprinkle with coarse sugar, if desired.
  • Bake at 400°F for 14-16 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and the edges are golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool.
  • For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar and extract in a small bowl. Add water a little at a time until the glaze reaches your desired consistency. Drizzle over cooled pastries.

Notes

  • We were inspired by Easy Puff Pastry Cream Cheese and Berry Danishes by Sara Wells.
  • Instead of using pie filling, you can use a preserve of your choice. Preserves are more jam-like, whereas pie filling can be too chunky, and the jelly tends to run everywhere.
  • We also added poppyseed filling, which was really good with the cream cheese.