Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Pinterest Twitter Instagram RSS Facebook
    Buy GO DAIRY FREE and EAT DAIRY FREE today!
    Go Dairy Free
    • Need to Know
      • Newbies Start Here!
      • Take the Challenge!
      • Dairy-Free FAQs
      • Latest News
      • Milk Allergies
      • Lactose Intolerance
      • Other Health Issues
      • Testimonials
      • Calcium Guide
      • Holidays & More
      • Best Books
      • The Community
    • Recipes
      • Recipes by Category
      • Full Recipe Index
      • Gluten-Free Recipe Index
      • Vegan Recipe Index
    • Reviews
      • Dairy Substitutes
        • Butter
        • Cheese
        • Cream
        • Creamer
        • Dessert Toppings
        • Ice Cream
        • Ice Cream Novelties
        • Milk
        • Yogurt
        • More Kitchen Essentials
      • Dairy-Free Sweets & Snacks
        • Protein Shakes
        • More Creamy Beverages
        • Snack & Protein Bars
        • More Snacks
        • Chocolate
        • Cookie Dough
        • Cookies & Brownies
        • Pies & Cakes
        • Pudding & Mousse
        • More Sweet Treats
      • Dairy-Free Meal Makers
        • Baking Mixes
        • Bread Products
        • Breakfast Pastries
        • Cereal & Granola
        • Cheesy Pasta & Rice
        • Frozen Pizza
        • More Entrees
        • Dip and Spreads
        • Salad Dressing
        • Sauces
      • All Product Reviews
        • New Product Reviews!
        • Browse by Product Type
        • Full Review Index
        • Gluten-Free Review Index
        • Vegan Review Index
    • Grocery Guide
      • Alisa’s Dairy-Free Kitchen
      • Brands We Love
      • Dairy Substitutes
      • Dairy Ingredient List
      • Understanding Food Labels
      • No Dairy Product Lists
      • Ordering Specialty Foods
      • Best Grocery Stores
    • Eating Out
      • Fast Food Listings
      • Recommended Restaurants
    • My Books!
      • Go Dairy Free 2nd Edition (best seller!)
      • Eat Dairy Free 1st Edition (full color!)
      • eBooks & Printables
      • Book Supplements & Resources
    • About Us
      • Meet Us
      • Contact Us
      • Join Us
      • Work With Us
    Go Dairy Free
    You are at:Home»News»In The News»How to: Vegan Puff Pastry

    How to: Vegan Puff Pastry

    0
    By Alisa Fleming on April 14, 2007 In The News

    Hannah's Puff Pastry“Puff, the Magic Pastry” – By Hannah Kaminsky, Bittersweet Blog – “…there are definitely times when the effort to make something from scratch feels akin to running a marathon after having just swam across the Mississippi River. When this debilitating laziness strikes…I dig deep into my freezer to pull out my secret weapon: Puff Pastry…”
    Beyond that, it would also seem to indicate that as the working class continues struggling to make a living and be home at a decent hour, regular cooking, let alone baking, is a rare phenomenon indeed. Short cuts are what everyone’s after, which would explain how a whole aisle of a grocery store could be composed of nothing but one baking mix after another, each one filled with more chemicals than actual ingredients like those found in your own cupboard. Perhaps I’m spoiled by the luxury of unemployment, seeing as I’m left to my own devices all day after school, but the thought of making an “instant” dessert out of a box seems like some terrible joke gone awry to me. Still, I will admit there are definitely times when the effort to make something from scratch feels akin to running a marathon after having just swam across the Mississippi River. When this debilitating laziness strikes however, I don’t go scrounging around for the cake mix, oh no, I dig deep into my freezer to pull out my secret weapon: Puff Pastry.

    First stumbling upon this fantastic resource a year or two ago, I was initially surprised to find that many mainstream brands of pre-made puff pastry are in fact vegan! Basic and bland on its own, this magical dough is all about what you put into it. That’s why it’s the perfect starting block for your own sweet (or even savory) creations, able to easily adapt to your exacting tastes and preferences. Should you have no idea where to begin, allow me to demonstrate how unbelievably simple it is to throw one of these instant desserts together with minimal work, but end up with maximum flavor. I digress though; This particular pastry was assembled many months ago, so the measurements aren’t exactly fresh in my mind. This is just an approximation, so if things seem a bit off, please alter your own creation based on your own intuition.

    Begin by allowing the puff pastry to thaw on its own just sitting at room temperature for at least 30-45 minutes. This is absolutely necessary! If you don’t wait for it to become soft and pliable, it will simply crack when you try to unfold it! Once it has warmed, you will want to spread it out on a silpat or piece of parchment paper, using a rolling pin to smooth out the creases where it was folded and any other small lumps that may exist.

    Now, when it comes to the filling, anything goes. This is an excellent opportunity to use up leftovers in the fridge, so whatever you have on hand could probably work as well. In my case, I had some extra vanilla frosting [As always] so I combined that with a good dollop of apple butter in a ratio of about 2:1. Starting about an inch in from the long side of the flattened pastry, apply your choice of spread in a generous line, reaching to about 1/4 inch from the short sides. Other excellent substitutes would be jams, preserves, etc. Continuing the apple theme, I opted to chop up a Fuji apple, sprinkled it with cinnamon, and dropped that in alongside my spread. Again, any fruit waiting to be used works just as well. Add ins should be used sparingly so as not to over stuff or over power the other main players in this delicate melody, but could include perhaps 1/4 – 1/2 cup of toasted nuts, chocolate… Or in this case, both!

    The only rule to remember is to not spread your filling over more than 1/3 of the surface of the puff pastry. Once you’ve evenly distributed everything you’d like to include, gently roll up the pastry, using the silpat to help you. To secure the edge, moisten it with just a dab of water and press against the other side you wish to adhere it to. Placing this seam downwards, reposition the roll in the center of the silpat, and slide a baking sheet underneath. I chose this time to top it with some addition cinnamon, but you could also sprinkle on a different spice or some turbinado sugar for an extra crunch. Bake off in the oven, following the instructions specified on the package of your puff pastry – This can vary depending on brand!

    When it’s all done, the pastry will be a lightly golden / brown color, and if you used a margarine-based spread like frosting as I did, you will see a small pool of run-off at the ends. Do not panic – Most will remain safely inside, and the dripping will stop as it cools.

    Wait until your roll as completely cooled before slicing. To cut, use a serrated knife and use a sawing motion without using any downward pressure so as not to crush or crack the flaky surface. A good portion in my opinion is a 1 inch wide slice, but divide them as you see fit.

    Served alongside a dairy-free ice cream or vegan whipped topping, you’ll be thankful that you still made the effort to create something delicious, and not resort to that dreaded box of chemical-based cake substitute!

    Alisa Fleming
    • Website

    Alisa is the founder of GoDairyFree.org, Food Editor for Allergic Living magazine, and author of the best-selling dairy-free book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living, and the new cookbook, Eat Dairy Free: Your Essential Cookbook for Everyday Meals, Snacks, and Sweets. Alisa is also a professional recipe creator and product ambassador for the natural food industry.

    Related Posts

    New Enjoy Life Cookies! Birthday Cake, Monster, Sunseed Butter Chocolate Chip, and seasonal Strawberry Lemonade - all dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, sesame-free, and vegan!

    Enjoy Life Celebrates Three New Allergy-Friendly Cookie Varieties

    Milk Allergy is a Leading Cause of Anaphylaxis, Food Allergy-Induced Fatalities, and Awareness

    Milk Allergy is a Leading Cause of Anaphylaxis, and Awareness

    Over 120 Top 8-Free Recipes and Resources for Food Allergy Awareness

    Food Allergy Awareness Week: Over 120 Recipes and Resources

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Go Dairy Free Recipes, Reviews and News to Your Inbox!

    Go Dairy Free - The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance and Casein-Free Living Fames Dairy Free Chocolate
    The Best Chewy No Bake Granola Bars Recipe - naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan with nut-free option

    The Best Chewy No Bake Granola Bars

    Dairy-Free White Chocolate Cookies Recipe - better than Tollhouse! Deliciously soft, tender, and slightly chewy.

    White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies made Deliciously Dairy Free

    Instant Nut Milk Recipe - Easy, 2 Ingredients, and Just 2 Minutes! From your pantry. Dairy-free, Plant-based, Nut-free Option (Seed Milk), Paleo, and Keto-Friendly.

    Instant Nut Milk made with 2 Ingredients in Just 2 Minutes!

    Enjoy Life Foods Eat dairy free book
    Go Dairy Free is the leading website for information on the dairy-free diet. We share dairy-free recipes, product reviews, news, recommendations and health guides to aide those with milk allergies, lactose intolerance or a general need or desire to live without dairy. Dairy-free does include milk-free, lactose-free, casein-free and whey-free, too! We also offer ample resources for gluten-free, soy-free, food allergy, vegan and paleo diets. Please note that ingredients, processes and products are subject to change by a manufacturer at any time. All foods and products should be considered at risk for cross-contamination with milk and other allergens. Always contact the manufacturer prior to consumption. Disclaimer - All Rights Reserved - Privacy Policy Go Dairy Free © 2005-2022 Fleming Marrs Inc.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.