Simple Homemade Puff Pastry Bread

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🥐 Simple Homemade Puff Pastry Bread

Serves: 1 loaf
Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus resting)
Chill Time: 1 hour
Bake Time: 30–35 minutes

🌾 Ingredients

Dough

  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder or 1 tsp instant yeast (both work—yeast version is slightly fluffier)
  • ¾ cup (180ml) cold water or cold milk
  • 2 tbsp melted butter or oil (optional, for softer crumb)

Butter Layer

  • 1 stick (113g) COLD unsalted butter
    (can use salted butter and reduce salt in dough)

🍽️ Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder OR yeast.
  2. Add cold water (or milk) and mix until a soft dough forms.
  3. Knead lightly for 1–2 minutes until smooth.
  4. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill 20 minutes.

2. Prepare the Butter Block

  1. Place the cold butter between two sheets of parchment paper.
  2. Tap and flatten with a rolling pin into a thin rectangle (about 5×7 inches / 13×18 cm).
  3. Chill in fridge while dough rests.

3. Laminate the Dough (Simple Style)

  1. Roll the dough out into a rectangle large enough to wrap around the butter block.
  2. Place butter in the center and fold the dough over it like an envelope.
  3. Roll gently into a long rectangle.
  4. Fold it into thirds (like a letter).
  5. Chill for 15 minutes.
  6. Repeat rolling + folding 2 more times, chilling between folds.

This creates flaky layers without complicated laminating.

4. Shape the Bread

You can choose one of the following:

Option A — Simple Loaf

  • Roll dough into a thick rectangle.
  • Roll up tightly like a jelly roll.
  • Place seam-side down into a greased loaf pan.

Option B — Pull-Apart Layered Bread (most puff pastry-like)

  • Roll the dough into a large rectangle.
  • Slice into strips (1–2 inches wide).
  • Stack the strips loosely and place into a loaf pan.
  • This creates extra flaky layers.

5. Bake

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Brush top with melted butter (optional).
  3. Bake 30–35 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
  4. Cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

⭐ Tips for Best Results

  • Keep everything cold — cold dough + cold butter = flaky layers.
  • If dough warms too much, chill again before rolling.
  • Use yeast for a slightly lighter, taller loaf; use baking powder for a biscuit-like flaky bread.
  • Add herbs or cheese between folds for flavored puff bread.
  • Great served warm with soup, stew, or honey-butter.

🍞 Optional Add-In Ideas

  • Garlic butter or herb butter between layers
  • Cinnamon-sugar for a sweet version
  • Grated cheddar or parmesan
  • Sesame or poppy seeds on top

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