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13 Puff Pastry Desserts That Are Easier Than Pie

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giant danish filled with cream cheese and jam filling, drizzled with a glaze one piece is sliced out
Suzanne Clements

Looking for a stunning dessert but can't find the hours to make it happen? Say hello to puff pastry. It's so easy, so handy, and yields such impressive results, it's almost too good to be true. Here's our advice: buy some in advance and keep it in your freezer just in case. This way you're ready to thaw and get cooking whenever the mood or moment strikes. Defrost it, top, fill, or wrap it with your favorite filling, brush it with butter, pop it in the oven, and watch the magic happen. Looking for more uses for your new go-to ingredient? Check out our best puff pastry appetizers. Need more easy dessert ideas? No-Bake Desserts are also highly recommended.

1

Giant Fruit Danish

giant fruit danish
Suzanne Clements

The raspberry jam can easily be swapped out for your favorite fruit conserve, and a dusting of powdered sugar once cooled can replace the glaze.

Get the recipe from Delish.

2

French Apple Tart

french apple tart  delishcom
Joel Goldberg

This stunning tart can be ready in under an hour.

Get the recipe from Delish.

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3

Tarte Tatin

tarte tatin
Joel Goldberg

This classic tart construction relies on fruit being laid over caramel then topped with puff pastry. Bake it in the oven and you guests will be floored.

Get the recipe from Delish.

4

Copycat McDonald's Apple Pie

mcdonald's apple pie
PARKER FEIERBACH

Our copycat version of the McDonald's apple pie skips the deep fry and is baked instead for a better take on the restaurant favorite.

Get the recipe from Delish.

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5

Easy Palmiers

palmiers
Emily Hlavac Green

Palmiers are a French pastry also known as elephant ears. Sugar is sprinkled on top of puff pastry and then rolled so that when cut the cookies look like little hearts or elephant ears, hence their name.

Get the recipe from Delish.

6

Pear, Blue Cheese, and Maple Puff Pastry Tarts

pear  blue cheese  and maple puff pastry tarts
Ethan Calabrese

Grab some bubbly and toast to this this super-classy five-ingredient tart.

Get the recipe from Delish.

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7

Apple Turnovers

apple turnovers
Quin Liburd

Inside the buttery, golden brown layers of pastry is a gooey apple-filled center, spiced to perfection!

Get the recipe from Delish.

8

Peach Roses

peach roses
Jonathan Boulton

They taste as good as they look.

Get the recipe from Delish.

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9

Cherry Puff Pastry Pies

cherry puff pastry pies
Sally Quinn

Best cherry pie shortcut ever.

Get the recipe from Delish.

10

Churro Apple Pies

churro apple pies
Charlie Gillette

If you love the edible bowl idea but want something easier than puff pastry these Snickerdoodle Ice Cream Bowls are so good and apple pie filling would be delicious in them!

Get the recipe from Delish.

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11

Puff Pastry Pear Tartlets

puff pastry pear tartlets
© Tina Rupp Photos, Inc.

Pear Brandy adds that je ne sais quoi.

Get the recipe from Delish.

12

Peach and Vanilla Puff-Pastry Pies

peach and vanilla puff pastry pies
Gentyl & Hyers

The vanilla and peach pair for a perfectly portioned dessert.

Get the recipe from Delish.

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13

S'mores Puff Pastry Mini Tarts

s mores puff pastry mini tarts
Courtesy of Bree Hester and Susan Whetzel

Pop the puff pastry crusts in the oven, stir in some graham cracker crumbs to your prepared chocolate pudding, and top with a dollop of marshmallow frosting. S'mores in delicious pop-able pie bites!

Get the recipe from Delish.

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