You can make your own puffed pastry at home, but it is just as good if you buy it at the supermarket.If you decided to bake something out of the blue, chances are your puff pastry is in the freezer.If you use your pastry for baking, make sure it is cold.
Step 1: Remove the pastry sheet from the package.
If you need to thaw your sheets quickly, use the microwave.If the pastry can be folded easily, it won't need to be microwaved or frozen.The pastry sheet should be cold to the touch.Give the sheet some time to chill if it's a room temperature or warmer.This could lead to sheet tearing, so don't manipulate a sheet that's not fully thawed.
Step 2: The pastry sheet should be wrapped in a paper towel.
If you want to fold the towel over the pastry sheet, use a clean, dry paper towel.If the paper towel isn't large enough, use a second or third towel to cover the pastry sheet.
Step 3: For 30 seconds, place the pastry sheet in the microwave.
You can put the towels and pastry sheet in the microwave.The microwave needs to be turned on for 15 seconds.Turn the microwave on for another 15 seconds when you flip the paper towels and pastry sheet.If the pastry sheet doesn't fold easily after coming out of the microwave, place it back in on "high" for another 5 seconds on each side.If you want the pastry sheet to fold easily, keep microwaving for 5 seconds on each side.
Step 4: Remove the pastry sheets from the packaging.
The best way to thaw your pastry is in the fridge.You can use your pastry as soon as you take it out of the fridge because it will keep it cool.If the sheets need to be frozen, try to fold them.The pastry sheets don't need to be frozen if they can be folded.When you bake with puffed pastry, it should feel cold.If the pastry sheet feels warm to the touch, you should place it in the fridge to cool it.
Step 5: Put the sheets on the plates.
Place the pastry sheets on the plate.If you put more than one sheet on top of each, it will stop them from being properly thawed in the fridge.
Step 6: Wrap each plate with plastic.
Open your roll of plastic wrap and stretch it over each plate, folding the excess at each side under the plate.The wrap will be held in place by the bottom of the plate.
Step 7: The pastry sheets should be placed in the fridge for 3 to 4 hours.
When your pastry sheets are covered in plastic wrap, they are ready to be put in the fridge.If you can fold the pastry sheets, leave them for 3 hours.They are ready to be used if you can.Leave the pastry sheets in the fridge for another hour if you still feel like they are frozen.Check after the 4 hours are up to see how easy it is to fold the pastry.At this point, they should be ready for use.
Step 8: The pastry is in the packaging.
Thawing at room temperature can be quite slow.If the pastry sheets need to be frozen, look at them.You can fold them if they are cold.If they feel warm, put them in the fridge.
Step 9: Place the pastry sheets on a plate.
Put the plates on the counter in your kitchen.If you stack the sheets on top of each other, they will not thaw evenly.
Step 10: 40 minutes will thaw the sheets.
After 40 minutes, you should be able to thaw your pastry sheets.If not, give them another 10 minutes to thaw.Place the sheets in the fridge for 10 minutes to give them time to warm up.