Blueberry Pastry Braid Recipes

BLUEBERRY CREAM CHEESE BREAKFAST BRAID

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 F.
• Roll out the crescent roll dough into a thinner, rectangular sheet.
• Combine the cream cheese, 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, and lemon zest in a bowl until smooth and completely combined.
• Spread the cream cheese mixture onto the center of the crescent roll sheet. Leaving about an inch and a half of dough on either side of the mixture.
• Toss the blueberries with the tablespoon of flour, lemon zest , and teaspoon of sugar.
• Place the blueberries over the cream cheese mixture.
• Make diagonal cuts into the dough, starting where there is not cream cheese and stopping when you get to the cream cheese center. Make about 10 cuts on each side.
• Pull the strips of dough over the top the blueberries, alternating sides.
• Place on the center rack of the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
• While it is cooling, whisk together whole milk and powdered sugar to create a glaze .
• When the blueberry braid has slightly cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top and serve.

STRAWBERRY (OR ANY BERRY REALLY) PUFF PASTRY BRAID

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Using an electric mixer, whip the cream cheese and sour cream in a small bowl until fluffy. Add the granulated sugar and whip until well combined, making sure there are no lumps. Reserve for later use.
• Beat the egg and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl with a fork.
• Unfold 1 pastry sheet on a lightly floured flat surface. Roll the pastry into a 14-by-12-inch rectangle. Spoon half of the cream cheese mixture lengthwise down the center of the pastry. Cut slits 1 inch apart from the 2 sides of the pastry rectangle within 1/2 inch of the cream cheese mixture. Arrange half of the strawberries down the center of the pastry on top of the cream cheese mixture. Starting at one end, fold the pastry strips over the strawberries on a diagonal, alternating sides, to cover the strawberries. Repeat the entire process with the remaining pastry sheet, cream cheese filling and strawberries. Brush the pastries very lightly with the egg wash (otherwise they won't rise). Sprinkle with the demerara sugar and top with pistachios.
• Bake until golden brown, 30 minutes. Let cool on a rack for about 20 minutes before serving.

PUFF PASTRY BRAID

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment.
• Lay out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Imagine the pastry has 3 equal sections. Add the hazelnut spread to the center section and, using a knife, cover the center section with the spread, leaving a 1/2-inch border at the top and bottom. Sprinkle the peanuts over the chocolate hazelnut spread.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the 2 outside sections into six 1-inch horizontal strips just to the center section.
• Fold the 1/2-inch borders at the top and bottom inwards, over the edges of the chocolate filling. Next, starting at one end, begin folding the pastry strips over the filling, alternating the sides to create a braid appearance. Put the braid on the parchment-lined sheet pan.
• Brush the pastry braid with the beaten egg and sprinkle with the sea salt. Bake until golden and cooked through, 28 to 30 minutes.
• While the pastry bakes, make the icing by whisking the powdered sugar, vanilla and milk in a bowl until smooth. Set aside.
• Allow the pastry to cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Drizzle over the icing, slice and serve.

BLUEBERRY PASTRY BRAID

Steps:

• Combine milk, yeast and 1 tbsp sugar, mix in egg yolks and cream, set aside for 10 minutes.
• Blend flour, 1/4 cup sugar and salt in mixing bowl.
• Cut in butter until pieces are the size of small beans; pour yeast mixture over; fold just until ingredients are mixed; do not overstir or overmix.
• Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
• Turn dough out onto lightly floured board; divide into 3 portions.
• Dust each portion with flour; roll one at a time to make a rectangle 12 x 9 inches.
• With knife or pastry wheel make cuts 1 inch apart on diagonal almost to center-- leaving enough room to spread preserves.
• Spread 1/3 cup preserves down the center; criss cross strips over filling to make a braid.
• Repeat for the remaining 2 portions.
• Place on greased cookie sheet and let rise until almost doubled.
• Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until golden.
• Sprinkle with powdered sugar.