Having a party and need fresh ideas for finger food, but don’t want to do just greasy chips and crudite? Well, we have you covered with five pastries that are perfect for any party. Puff pastry is a total secret weapon, making everyday foods look super special, and morphing itself into everything from appetizers to tarts both savory and sweet.
1. Pigs in a Blanket
This is an old American staple, but don’t dismiss it as crass or easy. With simple twists, you can elevate this clumsy classic and turn it into a sumptuous surprise. By just adding garlic butter to the dough after wrapping the weenies, it becomes bolder. Adding cheese, like muenster or sharp cheddar, or upgrading the dipping sauce accompaniment can transform these piggies into something premier for any plate. For these piggies, you’ll need one of our baking sheet pans, and a knife.
2. Cranberry Baked Brie Bites
Pretty much the holidays in one bite, they’re perfectly sized for popping right into your pie (er, puff pastry) hole and have a dangerous way of disappearing at holiday parties. The real test is trying not to eat them all before your guests arrive. Buttery, flaky, and filled with tangy cranberry and creamy brie cheese, each one of these addictive little nuggets is the ultimate make-ahead appetizer recipe. For these irresistible hors d’oeuvre, you’ll need one of our baking sheet pans, a knife, and the willpower not to eat them before the party starts.
3. Bacon Straws
Two ingredients, plus two instructions: Twist bacon with puff pastry dough and bake. And you will have possibly the most popular hors d’oeuvres out there. Expect to hear your guests saying things like ”Oh my god and “these are insane.” To make these tasty treats, all you need is one or two of our baking sheet pans and a sharp knife.
4. Holy Jalapeno Poppers
Continuing on the bacon theme, because we love bacon, take the classic cream-cheese-stuffed, bacon-wrapped jalapenos and wrap them in puff pastry to really class these babies up. Use one of our piping bags to create less mess, and warn your party-goers that they are hot in temperature and hot in spice, as well as in ravishing. Creating the sensational snacks takes a paring knife to hollow out the jalapenos, a piping bag to get the cream cheese in there, and a baking sheet pan on which to cook them. Also, be sure to have some water or other liquid refreshments available in case the spice is twice as nice.
5. Chosen Churros
Let’s end this list on a sweet note, with Churros made from puff pastry. All you have to do is cut the pastry to your desired length, add some butter, cinnamon, and sugar, and you’ll have a sinfully sweet treat to end your party on a high note. Add some extra cinnamon and sugar after baking to take it over the top. If you really want to get crazy, dip them into chocolate sauce and everyone will be in party heaven. To dust these gems up, you’ll need a sifter, a mixing bowl, and napkins for the marvelous mess.
Like the Way You Roll
We could go on and on here about party pastries, from sweet to savory, healthy to heart-attack-inducing, but we wanted to keep this list like the aforementioned pastry prep: short and sweet. Enjoy and if you make any of these items, post them on Facebook, tagging Last Confection so we can share in the deliciousness.