Simple Puff Pastry Jam Twists

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If you ask me, puff pastry jam twists are one of the easiest treats you can make at home.

These flaky, sweet pastries look like they came straight from a bakery case, but they only need two main ingredients to come together. Store-bought puff pastry and your favorite jam team up to create something that’s both simple and special.

I love how the pastry puffs up into light, airy layers while the jam gets all warm and gooey inside. A quick dusting of powdered sugar on top is all you need to finish them off.

It’s the kind of recipe that works just as well for weekend brunch as it does for an afternoon snack with coffee.

What Kind of Puff Pastry Should I Use?

Store-bought puff pastry is perfectly fine for this recipe, and you’ll find it in the freezer section of most grocery stores. Pepperidge Farm and Dufour are two common brands you’ll come across – Pepperidge Farm is more widely available and budget-friendly, while Dufour is pricier but made with all butter instead of shortening. Just make sure to thaw your puff pastry in the refrigerator overnight or for about 4 hours at room temperature before using it. When working with the dough, keep it cold but pliable – if it gets too warm, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes to firm up. A good tip is to unfold the pastry gently once it’s thawed to avoid any cracks or tears.

Options for Substitutions

Let’s talk about what you can swap in this recipe if needed:

• Puff pastry: This is the star ingredient that’s hard to substitute, but if you’re in a pinch, you could use croissant dough from a can. The texture won’t be quite the same, but you’ll still get a nice flaky treat. Just be aware that the baking time might need to be adjusted.
• Seedless jam: Any smooth jam works great here! Try strawberry, raspberry, apricot, or even orange marmalade (just make sure it’s not too chunky). You could also use Nutella, apple butter, or even a thick lemon curd – just avoid anything too runny as it might leak out during baking.
• Powdered sugar: If you’re out of powdered sugar for dusting, you can skip it completely, or try a light sprinkle of granulated sugar before baking for a sweet crunch. You could also drizzle with a simple glaze made from milk and regular sugar.
• Flour for dusting: While flour is best for preventing sticking, you can use cornstarch or even powdered sugar for dusting your work surface in a pinch.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest challenge when working with puff pastry is temperature control – if your pastry gets too warm, it becomes sticky and impossible to handle, so keep it chilled in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.

Another common mistake is not rolling the pastry on a lightly floured surface, which can lead to sticking and tearing – but be careful not to use too much flour, as excess flour can make your twists tough instead of flaky.

When spreading the jam, leave a small border around the edges to prevent it from oozing out during baking, and make sure to twist the strips firmly but gently – twisting too tight can restrict the pastry from puffing up properly.

For the crispiest results, don’t skip preheating your oven completely to the required temperature, as a properly hot oven is crucial for achieving those perfectly golden, flaky layers.

What to Serve With Jam Twists?

These flaky pastry twists are perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea time! A hot cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate makes the ideal companion to these sweet treats. If you’re serving them for breakfast, pair them with some fresh fruit like berries or sliced peaches to balance out the sweetness, and maybe add a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla yogurt on the side. For an extra special brunch spread, serve these alongside some scrambled eggs or a breakfast quiche to offer both sweet and savory options.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These jam twists are best enjoyed the day they’re made, but you can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together. Just keep in mind that they might lose some of their crispiness over time.

Make Ahead: Want to prep these in advance? You can shape the twists and freeze them unbaked! Place them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, no need to thaw – just add an extra 3-5 minutes to the baking time.

Refresh: If your twists have lost their crunch, pop them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 3-5 minutes. This will help restore some of that lovely crispy texture. Just watch them closely to prevent burning!

Preparation Time	20-30 minutes
Cooking Time	10-12 minutes
Total Time	30-42 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 400-450
• Protein: 4-6 g
• Fat: 24-28 g
• Carbohydrates: 45-50 g

Ingredients

• One sheet of puff pastry, approximately 8.65 ounces (half of a package)
• 1/4 cup jam without seeds, your preferred flavor
• Flour, for sprinkling on the surface
• Powdered sugar, for dusting on top (optional)

Step 1: Prepare Pastry and Workspace

Begin by allowing puff pastry to thaw according to the package instructions.

While it is thawing, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.

Lightly dust your work surface and a rolling pin with flour.

Once thawed, roll out the puff pastry to a 12×16-inch rectangle.

Use a sharp knife or a pastry cutter to cut the puff pastry crosswise into two (8×12-inch) rectangles.

Step 2: Apply Jam and Stack Pastry

Heat up your chosen jam in the microwave for about 15 seconds to make it easier to spread.

Using a pastry brush, coat one piece of the rolled-out puff pastry with the warm jam.

Carefully place the uncoated pastry piece atop the coated one.

Gently roll over them with the rolling pin to secure them together, but do not press too hard to avoid squeezing out the jam.

Step 3: Slice and Twist Pastry Strips

Slice the layered pastry into 24 (1/2-inch wide) strips.

Pinch the ends of each strip tightly and twist to create a spiral shape.

As you work, be gentle to maintain the structure and even coating of jam inside each twist.

Step 4: Chill and Preheat the Oven

Transfer the twisted pastry strips onto the lined baking sheet, making sure to space them 1 1/2 inches apart to allow for expansion during baking.

Place the tray in the refrigerator to chill for about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F to prepare for baking.

Step 5: Bake and Garnish

Once chilled, bake the pastry twists in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy.

Remove from the oven and allow them to cool on a wire rack.

Once cooled, lightly sprinkle the twists with powdered sugar for an added touch of sweetness before serving.