Once you try this simple recipe, you'll never need to buy puff pastry again. Why would you, when it's so easy to make?! Puff pastry is one of the most versatile ingredients for baking, and it's also simple to make from scratch. Make a big batch of this puff pastry, store it in the freezer, and you'll be able to make hundreds of delicious desserts anytime the mood strikes! You'll love this flaky, buttery puff pastry. We just know it!
What is rough puff pastry?
Rough puff pastry (sometimes called a ruff puff) is a form of puff pastry that is easier to make than classic puff pastry but still achieves similar flaky results and delicious taste.
Instead of creating a butter block that is laminated into a lean dough by rolling and folding, butter is mixed into the flour in the first stage of the recipe before being rolled out and folded from there. If you've ever made puff pastry, you'll know it takes a long time and is quite the challenge. Rough puff pastry is homemade puff pastry, the easy way. You could call it a cheat version of puff pastry! But without any compromise on taste.
What's the difference between puff pastry and rough puff pastry?
Classic Puff pastry is made by rolling and folding dough with a sheet of butter that is laminated into it to form many layers of cold butter and dough. As it bakes, the moisture in the butter turns to steam, which pushes the layers apart and forms the iconic rise and flaky layers.
Rough puff pastry is instead made by mixing the butter directly into the lean dough before resting, rolling out, and folding. Without the single sheet of butter, there is less of an even rise, less obvious layers and it won't rise quite as high either. The lamination in traditional puff pastry makes the layers more obvious, but quick puff pastry does still have flaky layers, is still incredibly delicious, and saves a lot of time.
Puff pastry normally takes 1-2 days to make due to long resting times in between folds, whereas rough puff can be ready in just a few hours. For example, you could start first thing in the morning and enjoy a rough puff pastry-based recipe by lunchtime.
Is rough puff pastry the same as pie crust?
Pie crust is made with a different type of pastry, so rough puff pastry and pie crust are not the same. While pie crust is made with the same ingredients as puff pastry (water, butter, and flour), making pie crust typically does not involve lamination therefore the result is a denser, crumblier texture and a cookie-like crunch as opposed to the flaky puff pastry.
How to use rough puff pastry?
You can use rough puff pastry in exactly the same way as you would use classic puff pastry. And there are plenty of rough puff pastry dishes to choose from just check our puff pastry recipes collection.
You can also make batches of quick rough puff pastry ahead of time and freeze it, ready to defrost and use as needed.
Why this is the best rough pastry recipe
- It's foolproof! This quick puff pastry recipe is much easier to make than traditional puff pastry. If classic puff pastry seems daunting, try this version instead! I'll talk you through the rough puff pastry ingredients and show you how to make it, step by step.
- It's fast: Classic puff pastry can take days to make due to long resting periods, but this quick puff pasty recipe can be ready in just a few hours, meaning you get to enjoy it so much sooner.
- It tastes fabulous: Rough puff pastry does not compromise on delicious taste though! With rich buttery flavor, light flaky layers, and crisp outside it's the perfect part of any baked dessert and tastes SO much better than bought puff pastry. Store-bought puff pastry often does not use high-quality butter and might contain preservatives too, so making it yourself from scratch is always the best way.
Ingredients
2 cups Bread flour - high protein content flour
½ teaspoon Salt
¾ cup Unsalted butter cold, cut into small chunks
½ teaspoon White vinegar
½ cup Water - very cold
How to make the dough for rough puff pastry
For a video recipe, check the original Rough Puff Pastry article at Spatula Desserts.
- Measure the water and vinegar into a small bowl and chill down together in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- Slice the butter into small chunks and also chill in the freezer for 10 minutes
- Sieve the flour and salt together into a large bowl on the work surface.
- Add the cold butter chunks into the flour and quickly toss the mixture with your fingers to separate the butter chunks and coat them all in the flour.
- Slowly add the water-vinegar mixture to the flour slowly, using a rubber spatula to mix.
- Gently knead the dough for 10-20 seconds just to bring it together into one piece. It can seem like a lumpy and rough pastry with visible chunks of butter in the dough, and this is normal. Do not overwork it.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and rest it in the fridge for one hour.
Top Tip: You might not need all of the water. Add just enough so that there are no crumbs or loose bits of flour in the bottom of the bowl, but it needs to be slightly moist, and not wet.
Rough Puff pastry lamination step-by-step
Here is how to prepare a 6-fold rough puff pastry. It is very important that the dough does not become too warm as the butter can melt and this will affect the outcome. If at any point it seems slack or starts to feel sticky, immediately wrap and chill it in the fridge for 15 minutes before continuing. However, if the dough is too cold it can be stiff and susceptible to breaking, so aim to keep it just pliable enough to work with.
- Roll out the dough into a rectangle lengthways in front of you that measures 10x18 inches.
- Fold the dough. Fold the top third of the rectangle down, then fold the bottom third upwards over the top like a letter or envelope. There will be an "open edge" at the top end and a "closed edge" along the bottom.
- Rotate 90 degrees clockwise so that the "open edge" is on the right and the "closed edge" is on the left. The process in steps 1, 2, and 3 is a single fold.
- Repeat steps 1, 2, and 3, and then wrap and rest the dough for 30-60 minutes in the fridge.
- Do this process twice more, to complete 6 folds in total. Rest the easy puff pastry dough in the fridge between every 2 folds, or after every single fold if your kitchen is warm. Do not make more than 2 folds at once without resting the dough.
- After the 6th fold, chill the dough in the fridge for 1 hour before using it according to your recipe
Top Tip: Use a silicone baking mat to assist you with the rolling and folding of the puff pastry, and reduce how much you have to handle the dough. Hot hands can be a risk!
Expert tips on making rough puff pastry
- Work on a lightly floured surface if not using a silicon mat, and brush off any excess flour before folding your ruff puff dough.
- The dough needs to be just pliable enough to roll and fold, but never warm and sticky.
- Always wrap the dough in plastic food wrap before resting to avoid it forming a crust.
For more expert tips read the original Rough Puff Pastry recipe at Spatula Desserts.
Puff Pastry Recipes from Spatula Desserts
Sweet and sugary palmiers are such an easy and crisp puff pastry recipe. They contain just two ingredients, and if you use store-bought puff pastry - take just 40 minutes! Serve palmiers with a cup of coffee; it's one of the quickest easy dessert pastry recipes. The ideal choice of sweet puff pastry recipes for beginner bakers.
Go to the recipe: Palmiers
Napoleon Cake
Make a statement with Napoleon cake made with sweet puff pastry and layers of silky pastry cream. Guests will love being served such an impressive-looking dessert and then subsequently be amazed at how good it tastes!
Go to the recipe: Napoleon cake
Mille Feuille
Mille Feuille is one of my favorite puff pastry recipes. While we normally aim for a beautiful rise with puff pastry, it is weighed down during baking to prevent this from happening in Mille Feuille. The compacted pastry becomes deliciously crisp and is then stacked into a tower held in place with vanilla pastry cream (crème Pâtissière) and decorated with powdered sugar, fresh fruit, or chocolate.
Go to the recipe: Mille Feuille
Cinnamon Twists
Cinnamon twists make an easy dessert appetizer to share around and enjoy with coffee. Puff pastry is brushed with rich butter and then sprinkled with fragrant cinnamon sugar before being twisted up and baked in the oven. Don't miss their crunchy, spiced warmth!
Go to the recipe: Cinnamon twists
Nutella Twists
Nutella twists are a pantry staple you can use in so many delicious desserts. Puff pastry desserts with Nutella are unbelievably easy to make, too; consequently, I eat them a lot! Puff pastry twists are kid-friendly yet simultaneously adult-taste-approved. You'll love them.
Go to the recipe: Nutella twists
Apple Turnovers
Flaky puff pastry with warm apple pie filling inside? Sign me up. Apple turnovers are a fruity puff pastry recipe that anyone can make. Create your own personal apple pie with puff pastry that you can serve on its own or with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon.
Go to the recipe: Apple Turnovers
Pumpkin Turnovers
If you're looking for an easy and quick dessert that everyone at your Thanksgiving Dinner table will love, these puff pastry pumpkin turnovers fit the bill! Crunchy and flaky on the outside and sweet and creamy on the inside, these warm pumpkin treats are super easy to make.
Go to the recipe: Pumpkin Turnovers
Pear Puff Pastry Tarts
Made with fresh pears and a flaky, sweet puff pastry crust, these pear puff pastry tarts will undoubtedly be the talk among your family and friends! Using just six basic ingredients, this 10-step easy pear tart recipe is the perfect go-to when you need a simple yet eye-catching treat to impress your guests. Serve them warm with a bowl of vanilla ice cream for the perfect puff pastry dessert!
Go to the recipe: Pear Puff Pastry Tarts
Apple Roses with Puff Pastry
If you have been looking for an elegant treat to add to your dessert table, these easy apple roses with puff pastry are just what you have been looking for! Made with fresh apples, cinnamon, sugar, and a light and flaky puff pastry crust, this dessert isn’t just eye-catching but mouthwateringly delicious.
Go to the recipe: Apple Roses with Puff Pastry
Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Danish
This easy Philadelphia cream cheese puff pastry Danish tart recipe will be the talk of the table at your next fancy breakfast party or brunch! Made with flaky puff pastry, cream cheese filling, and fresh berries, they aren't just tasty but absolutely beautiful. If you have been looking for the perfect puff pastry with cream cheese filling recipe to turn heads and satisfy the taste buds, look no further!
Go to the recipe: Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Danish
More from Spatula Desserts
Here are the best potluck desserts that will make you the most popular guest at a party! When friends and family come together to share a meal, it's always nice to contribute. I've gathered together all the best potluck dessert recipes to please a crowd for every occasion.
Go to the recipes: Potluck Desserts
Best Cheesecake Toppings
All the best cheesecake toppings to try, in one place! If you love baking cheesecake but want more ideas for cheesecake toppings, you've certainly come to the right place.
Go to the recipes: Best Cheesecake Toppings
Best Greek Desserts
From baklava and other filo pastry-based desserts to loukoumades, here are the best Greek desserts, all in one place. Greece is known as the cradle of Western civilization for a reason, and Greek desserts arguably might be one of them. Check out these recipes for Greek desserts and find your favorite.
Go to the recipes: Greek Desserts
This article was originally published as Rough Puff Pastry at Spatula Desserts.
Xoliswa Tindleni
Thank you so much for the puff pastry recipe, it is the best recipe.