Coming up with show-stopping holiday desserts that won’t keep you stuck in the kitchen all day can feel like mission impossible. Between decorating eggs with the kids, preparing the Easter ham, and trying to keep the house somewhat presentable for guests, who has time for complicated pastry work?
That’s why this Easter puff pastry wreath has become my go-to spring dessert – it looks fancy enough for your holiday table, comes together in under an hour, and best of all, starts with store-bought puff pastry that does most of the work for you.
Why You’ll Love This Puff Pastry Wreath
- Quick preparation – This beautiful wreath comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for last-minute Easter entertaining or brunch gatherings.
- Just 3 ingredients – With only puff pastry, fruit preserve, and powdered sugar, you can create something that looks like it came from a fancy bakery.
- Customizable filling – You can use any fruit preserve you like – strawberry, raspberry, apricot – making it easy to match your family’s favorite flavors.
- Impressive presentation – This wreath looks fancy and complicated, but it’s actually super simple to make. Your guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen!
What Kind of Pastry Dough Should I Use?
For this Easter wreath, store-bought puff pastry is your best friend – it’s reliable and saves so much time compared to making it from scratch. Most grocery stores carry puff pastry in the freezer section, with Pepperidge Farm and Dufour being common brands you’ll find. Just remember to thaw your puff pastry in the fridge overnight or for about 4 hours at room temperature before using it. When you’re working with the dough, make sure it’s cold but pliable – if it gets too warm, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes since warm dough can get sticky and hard to handle.
Options for Substitutions
This pretty pastry wreath is easy to customize with different ingredients. Here are some helpful swaps:
- Puff pastry: While puff pastry gives the best flaky results, you can use crescent roll dough in a pinch. Keep in mind the texture won’t be quite as light and airy, but it’ll still taste good! Just watch the baking time as it might need a few minutes less.
- Fruit preserve: The options are endless here! Try any jam, jelly, or preserve you like. You could even use Nutella, apple butter, or lemon curd. Just make sure whatever spread you choose isn’t too runny, or it might leak during baking.
- Powdered sugar: For the topping, regular granulated sugar mixed with a touch of cinnamon works well too. Or skip the sugar and drizzle with a simple glaze made from milk and confectioners’ sugar.
- Edible flowers: No edible flowers? No worries! Try decorating with fresh berries, sliced almonds, or colored sugar sprinkles for that festive touch.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking
The trickiest part of making a puff pastry wreath is working with the dough at the wrong temperature – using it straight from the fridge makes it crack and break, while letting it get too warm causes it to become sticky and difficult to shape. For best results, let your pastry dough rest on the counter for exactly 15-20 minutes before starting.
Another common mistake is overfilling the wreath with preserves, which can lead to messy leaks during baking – stick to the recommended 1/3 cup and spread it evenly, leaving a clean 1-inch border around the edges.
The final temperature of your oven is crucial – if it’s not hot enough (at least 400°F), your pastry won’t achieve that perfect golden-brown color and flaky texture, so always preheat your oven thoroughly and use the middle rack for even baking. Remember to let your wreath cool for at least 10 minutes before adding any powdered sugar, otherwise it will just melt away.
What to Serve With Easter Pastry Wreath?
This sweet pastry wreath pairs perfectly with your favorite morning beverages – think hot coffee, tea, or even a festive mimosa for Easter brunch! Since it’s on the sweeter side, I like to balance it out with some savory breakfast items like scrambled eggs or a simple fruit and cheese plate. You can also serve it alongside a bowl of fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream to make it even more special for your Easter celebration. If you’re hosting a bigger brunch gathering, try setting up a coffee station with different creamers and syrups to let guests customize their drinks while enjoying slices of this pretty wreath.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Your Easter puff pastry wreath will stay good at room temperature for about 2 days when stored in an airtight container. Just make sure it’s completely cool before storing, and skip the powdered sugar until you’re ready to serve – this prevents it from getting soggy!
Make Ahead: Want to prep this ahead? You can assemble the wreath and keep it unbaked in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just cover it well with plastic wrap to prevent the pastry from drying out. When you’re ready, pop it straight from the fridge into the preheated oven.
Refresh: To bring back that fresh-baked taste, warm your wreath in the oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. Once it’s warm, dust with fresh powdered sugar and add any edible flowers just before serving. The warmth will make the pastry slightly crispy again!
| Preparation Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 20-25 minutes |
| Total Time | 40-55 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 250-300
- Protein: 2-5 g
- Fat: 10-15 g
- Carbohydrates: 40-50 g
Ingredients
- 1 sheet of pastry dough
- 1/3 cup fruit preserve (any flavor of your choice)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar and edible flowers (optional)
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; if your store-bought puff pastry includes parchment paper, you can use that instead.
Step 2: Prepare the Puff Pastry
Dust a clean surface with flour or work directly over parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Lay the puff pastry dough in a single layer on the prepared surface.
If the dough is too firm, allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes until it softens.
Use a rolling pin to smooth out any uneven areas of the dough if necessary.
Step 3: Add the Filling and Roll the Dough
Spread raspberry jam evenly over the pastry, leaving a 2-inch border around the edges.
Begin with the long edge and roll the dough tightly into a log shape.
If excess jam begins to squeeze out while rolling the dough, gently remove it with a spoon and continue rolling.
Pinch the sides of the pastry to the log to prevent it from opening during cutting or baking.
Step 4: Shape the Wreath
Using a sharp knife, cut the log in half lengthwise.
Twist both strips together to create a braided appearance.
Lay one end of the braid slightly over the other and pinch with your fingers to form a closed wreath.
This will help maintain its shape as it bakes.
Step 5: Bake the Wreath
Place the wreath on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet.
Step 6: Finishing Touches
Once the wreath is fully cooled, dust it with powdered sugar for a sweet finish.
If desired, adorn it with edible flowers for an elegant touch before serving.