Appetizer: Mini Pastry Puffs

Baked Pastry Puffs
Whenever attending gatherings with appetizers or horsd'oeuvres and discovering something delightfully different and/or fancy, I try to duplicate it at home.  A local caterer served these mini puffs filled with a salmon cheese spread which caught my attention, but I've filled them with: a cheese spread topped with popcorn shrimp; an olive spread; tomato relish; crab spread, spinach dip, or made  mini sandwiches ...... it's up to imagination! 


They're fun to make and can be made in larger sizes for use as dessert, by filling with berries, topped with whipped cream; pudding or ice cream, then drizzled with chocolate. Again, use your imagination. Family and guests will be impressed with your presentation.

This recipe makes about 24 - 36 mini puffs but can be doubled for larger groups.  After baking they freeze well, and handy for quick appetizers or desserts.

Mini Pastry Puffs
4 Tabs. of butter cut in pieces
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs
Optional seasoning: poppy seeds, sesame seeds, fresh rosemary
Heat oven to 425.


In medium saucepan, bring water butter and salt to a boil. Remove from heat and add flour all at once, stirring til dough hold together.  Return to heat an let cook about 1 minute, until a film coats the bottom of the pan. Put dough in a bowl and let cool about 5 minutes.



Beat in eggs one at a time until dough is soft, glossy and sticky.  Put dough in pastry bag with 1/2 inch nozzle, or use a plastic bag and cut off corner.


Squirt vertically on prepared non-stick sheet an inch apart in one inch to 1-1/2 inch wide mounds, about 1/2 inch thick.  Each will have a small peak, so wet your finger and pat each mound down a bit to smooth.  An egg wash can be applied, then sprinkle with seasoning of choice.

Bake for 12 minutes, at 425, then reduce heat to 375 and remove sheet, taking a toothpick to pierce the side of each puff, then return to oven to bake until golden brown, about 10 to 15 more minutes.  Cool on wire rack. Slice open to fill with desired fillings.





1 comment:

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