Pastries: Feed's All You Need Guide

If there is one thing that we can all agree on, pastries are a true gift to the culinary world. With so many different types to choose from, it’s hard to go wrong when choosing to enjoy pastries as a breakfast, snack, or tea-time option. Their versatility has allowed them to be enjoyed for centuries; in fact, the first pastries are thought to have originated from the ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations! From flaky croissants to decadent chocolate cakes, pastries can satisfy any sweet tooth craving, and with the wide variety to enjoy, there’s bound to be something for everyone! Today, we will explore the world of pastries and provide you with a few tips and insights on how to recreate your favorite coffee-house treats within your own home.

Types of Pastries

Before we look into how you can make pastries in your kitchen, let’s explore the different types of pastries you will likely find at your local coffee shop or pastry store. While different types of pastry dough are used to create all of your favorites, these pastry doughs have been transformed to create an enormous variety of treats you may be familiar with. Here are some of the main types of pastry dough you’ll likely come across:

Laminated

Laminated pastry is a type of pastry dough that is delicate and classically delicious. You’ll likely be familiar with this type of pastry for croissants, danishes, and so much more, as this type of pastry dough is versatile and can be made into various sweet and savory treats!

Puff

A more complex dough, puff pastry is a classic pastry type that you’ll likely have enjoyed if you’ve had dishes like Beef Wellington or even simple Puff Pastry fruit tarts! This dough is folded over and over again with butter to gain a flaky texture, and is notably similar to laminated dough in look and taste. 

Choux

If you’re a fan of Éclairs or other cream pastries, you’ll be familiar with choux pastry dough. This dough is made into a crispy outer shell to hold cream or other filling for a delicious culinary experience. This dough is relatively easy to make and gains its shape during the cooking process, leaving you with a delicious pastry that can be made into various treats!

Filo

The final pastry dough type on our list is filo dough! This classic dough is similar to the puff pastry, thanks to its magnitude of layers that create beautiful flakiness in dishes like baklava and spanakopita. Like many of these doughs, you can find it in the freezer aisle at your local grocery store, but making it at home will yield a delicious and balanced pastry you can taste!

Tips for Making Pastries

Use Good Quality Ingredients

The quality of your ingredients can make a big difference in the final product. Choose high-quality butter, flour, and eggs for the best results, and make sure to try to keep them as fresh as possible before preparing your pastry to achieve the best outcome.

Keep Your Ingredients Cold

When making dough for pastries like croissants or puff pastry, it's essential to keep your butter and dough cold. Pastries will come out differently depending on the temperature of the ingredients, so paying attention to this factor will help ensure your pastry will come out the way you like it! Additionally, making sure your ingredients are cold will help ensure that the layers of dough and butter remain distinct, creating a flaky texture.

Don't Overwork Your Dough

Pastries like croissants and puff pastry require a lot of rolling and folding, but it's important not to overwork the dough. Being mindful of the time you spend working with the dough can help to avoid tough, chewy pastries and ensure the pastry is as flaky and airy as possible.

Use a Kitchen Scale

When it comes to making pastries, precise measurements are key. To do so, try working with a kitchen scale rather than measuring cups to ensure that your dough is consistent and that your pastries turn out perfectly every time. Kitchen scales are quite inexpensive and can be a wonderful addition to your kitchen (and will help ensure your pastries come out beautifully!). 

Practice Makes Perfect 

As always when it comes to cooking, practice will truly make perfect. Making pastries can be challenging, but don't get discouraged if your first attempts don't turn out perfectly. Keep practicing, and you'll get better with each batch!

#pastries #makingpastries #foodideas #foodinspiration #foodie