Snowflake Pastry for the Holidays!

Sometimes, I bake. I have a passion for decor & home styling, but I also love to unwind and spend time in the kitchen. Baking has always been a part of who I am. From a young age I can remember helping in the kitchen. Baking has been in full swing in my kitchen this holiday season, crafting goodies for get togethers, family and friends.

I wanted to share a special recipe that I love baking, it is not only simple, but SO pretty. This pastry is soft, flaky, and melt-in your mouth goodness! Perfect paired with that cup of coffee in the morning, a delightful pastry for a holiday gathering or to box up as a sweet treat to gift.

Ingredients:

Two boxes of puff pastry (each box should have two puff pastry sheets inside).

1/2 cup of softened butter

1 1/2 cup brown sugar

6 tablespoons cinnamon

1 beaten egg for egg wash

Cream cheese frosting:

4 oz room temp cream cheese

3 tablespoons softened butter

3/4 cup powdered (confectioners) sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Cut each puff pastry sheet into a circle, 9-10 inches in diameter is good, you can use a plate as a guide.

Next I mixed up the brown sugar and cinnamon. Lay your first dough circle on a parchment lined baking sheet, spread 1/4 of the softened butter over it evenly and then spread 1/4 of your cinnamon sugar mixture over that. Repeat with the second and third dough circles.

You’ll lay the fourth circle on top, be sure to leave the top of this dough circle plain! Place something small (about 2 inches in diameter) to be your guide and place that in the middle of your stack. I had a small snowflake cookie cutter, but any shape will do as long as it’s small enough!

Next you are going to cut 16 pieces, start by quartering it, halving your quarters and then halving those until you have 16 even pieces. Then, you will take two of the strips and twist them away from each other two times and then pinch the ends together. Repeat this around your entire snowflake. Reshape as needed and brush with egg wash. Bake in the oven at 400 for about 20 mins, until golden brown.

While it’s baking, cream your butter and cream cheese with either a mixer and then add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix on medium/high until well combined. Once your snowflake is done baking, remove from the oven and allow it to cool for 4-5 minutes. Then brush on your frosting and dust with powdered sugar. Serve warm and enjoy!

Thoughts & Tips:

• Store in an air-tight container
• To enjoy the next day, if there is any left, simply place desired pieces in the microwave and reheat for 10-15 seconds.
• You can omit the egg wash, if you so choose. We have an egg allergy in our home, and I opt to lightly brush the outside of the snowflake with melted butter instead. It turns out just as tasty and gooey!
• If you’re in a pinch on frosting, or wanting to save time, grab a tub of cream cheese frosting & spoon 1/4 cup into a microwaveable bowl, intermittently warm until melted. Then continue with steps listed above – lightly brushing the frosting on the pastry.