A pastry braid is a beautiful and versatile baked pastry made by wrapping a filling (sweet or savory) in a braided pattern of dough—typically puff pastry or yeasted dough. It’s a crowd-pleaser for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, and can even be made as a main dish depending on the filling.
Basic Overview of a Pastry Braid:
Ingredients (for a sweet version):
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1 sheet of puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
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Filling (e.g. cream cheese, jam, Nutella, apple pie filling, etc.)
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1 egg (for egg wash)
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Optional toppings: coarse sugar, sliced almonds, powdered sugar glaze
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Roll out puff pastry on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle (around 10×12 inches).
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Add filling in a strip down the center third of the dough (lengthwise).
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Cut slits (about 1 inch wide) on both sides of the filling, making sure you leave the center intact.
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Fold strips diagonally across the filling, alternating sides to create a braided look.
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Brush with egg wash (1 beaten egg + 1 tbsp water).
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Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown and puffed.
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Cool slightly, then drizzle with glaze or sprinkle with sugar if desired.
Savory Version Ideas:
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Spinach and feta
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Ham and cheese
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Pesto chicken with mozzarella
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Bacon, egg, and cheddar
