Copycat Flaky Puffs

My husband was a big fan of Flaky Puffs, which were puff pastry with a creamy filling and a layer of  jam. I love a challenge, so I set out to recreate them to surprise him for Valentine's day. I mentioned it to a fellow foodie friend and she shared her cream filling recipe with me.

I've seen other copycats out there that use store bought or homemade whipped cream, and you could definitely do that instead. But this cooked cream filling is more structured and spreadable and doesn't going squirting out of the sides when you bite down on the pastry.

You can do the puffs in the traditional way, which is to cut 3 strips out of each sheet and then cut each strip into 3 squares.  This makes 18 assembled puffs.  Or you can get fancy and use cookie cutters to stamp out other shapes like hearts. 

Assembly goes easily with cookie scoops and a small offset spatula.  I like to put the jam on the bottom half of the puff. Sometimes I use raspberry jam, sometimes I use strawberry. Then I spread the whipped filling on the top half and sandwich them together. Keep the puffs refrigerated until ready to serve.

 

 There's been some debate between my dear husband and I whether they were sold under the name "Flakey Puffs" or "Flaky Puffs." I went with no E just because I can't stand to see the red line of misspelling when I type it with the E. Just give them a try and you won't care how it's spelled!

 

 

Thank you to Michaela from An Affair from the Heart for hosting #ValentineSweets! Be sure to go and check out what the other bloggers have made using the links down below!

 

Copycat Flaky Puffs

Author: Jolene's Recipe Journal

Ingredients

For the pastry:

• 1 package Frozen Puff Pastry Sheets
• 1 whole Egg
• 1/4 cups Milk
• 1 T Coarse Sugar to sprinkle on top

For the cream filling

• 5 Tablespoons Flour
• 1 cup Milk
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1/2 cups Shortening
• 1/2 cups Butter, room temp
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt

• Seedless strawberry jam

Instructions

1. Remove the puff pastry from the box. Thaw on the counter at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
2. Carefully open one pastry sheet along the creases. Place remaining sheet in the refrigerator so it stays cold.
3. Cut each strip of pastry at the creases, forming 3 strips. Cut each strip widthwise into 7 pieces.
4. Flip each cut piece over and place on lightly greased baking sheets, leaving room between each piece.
5. Combine egg and milk in a small bowl. Lightly brush this over the pastry.
6. Sprinkle with the coarse sugar. Repeat with remaining puff pastry sheet.
7. Bake at 400 F for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack and cool completely.
8. Using a serrated knife, slice each puff horizontally to make top and bottom halves.

FOR THE CREAM FILLING:

1. Place flour in a small saucepan and slowly whisk in milk. Cook and whisk constantly over low heat until mixture thickens and comes to a boil.
2. Remove from heat and place mixture into a small bowl. Cover bowl with a paper towel and cool to room temperature.
3. Place cooled mixture into the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until fluffy.
4. Add remaining filling ingredients one at a time, and continue beating on medium-high speed for 5-10 minutes or until light and fluffy, making sure the sugar has totally dissolved.

TO ASSEMBLE:

1. Spread about 1 tablespoon of filling on the bottom half of each pastry. Top with jam. Replace the tops. Store in refrigerator.

Notes:

Slightly adapted from a recipe given to me by Carol G.

Recommended Products:

OXO Good Grips Cookie Scoop 3-Pack

Wilton Angled Spatula, 9"

Other recipes you may enjoy:

Homemade Jingles Cookies

Oreo Ice Cream Cake #SummerDessertWeek

puff pastry, Flakey puff,

Copycat, Dessert

American

 

It’s time to start planning our Valentine and Galentine events, you'll need some lovely recipes to serve! Check out these delightful Valentine Sweets and Cocktails, all part of the #ValentineSweets blogging event hosted by Michaela from An Affair from the Heart:

• An Affair from the Heart - Valentine Oreo Bark
• Hostess At Heart - Easy Valentine’s Day Fudge Recipe
• Lemon Blossoms - Pink Champagne Cake
• Family Around the Table - Chocolate Peanut Butter Bundt Cake with Peanut Butter Glaze
• A Day in the Life on the Farm - Chocolate Cheesecake
• Daily Dish Recipes - Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes
• The Fresh Cooky - Red Velvet Donuts
• Devour Dinner - Dessert Charcuterie Board
• Jolene's Recipe Journal - Copycat Flaky Puffs
• Art of Natural Living - Bailey's Chocolate Martini
• Jen around the world - Strawberry Mojito Mocktail
• Kathryn's Kitchen Blog - Sugar Cookie Bars
• Soulfully Made - Easy Red Velvet Brownies
• The Redhead Baker - Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Layer Cake
• Magical Ingredients - Soft White Chocolate Strawberry Fudge
• Take Two Tapas - Valentine's Pretzel Hugs
• SueBee Homemaker - Chocolate Cake for Two
• Palatable  Pastime - Strawberry White Hot Chocolate
• The Spiffy Cookie - Red Velvet Molten Lava Cakes
• Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks - Pomegranate Moscow Mule
• Books n' Cooks - French Martini
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice - Nutty M&M Peanut Butter Cup Valentine Cookies

 This post from 2013 has been updated with new photos, text, and a printable recipe card.