Festive Puff Pastry Breakfast Bakes
Elevate your Christmas morning with these delightful Festive Puff Pastry Breakfast Bakes. Combining the flaky, buttery goodness of puff pastry with savory bacon, rich cheddar, and fresh pesto, each tart is topped with a perfectly baked egg for the ultimate breakfast treat. These individual-sized tarts are not only visually stunning, resembling a gift wrapped in pastry, but they're also easy to prepare, making them a perfect dish to share with family and friends during the holiday season. Garnish with a sprig of thyme for an elegant touch.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
5
Ingredients
Ingredients
puff pastry
1 sheet (store-bought, thawed)
eggs
4 (large, at room temperature)
bacon
2 slices (cooked and diced)
pesto sauce
8 teaspoons (store-bought)
cheddar cheese
1/4 cup (grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 415 degrees F (210 degrees C).
2
Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface and cut it into 4 squares, each measuring 5 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches.
3
Using a sharp knife, cut an outline around each square, about 1/2 inch wide, then gently lift and remove the inner square, keeping the outer square as the base of the tart. Save the removed pastry for creating bows on top.
4
Score the outer edge of the tart by making shallow cuts about 1/4 inch inside the border to form a decorative edge. To prevent the center from puffing up, stab it with a fork gently.
5
For the decorative bow, take the 1/2 inch wide pastry cutouts and fold the corners inward towards the center to create a bow shape. Press lightly to hold the shape.
6
Brush the border of the pastry tart and the prepared bow with an egg wash (beaten egg) for a beautiful golden finish.
7
Arrange the prepared pastry on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in the preheated oven for approximately 10 minutes, or until golden and puffed.
8
Once baked, remove the tarts from the oven and spread 2 teaspoons of pesto on each tart base, making sure to cover it evenly.
9
Top with a layer of grated cheddar cheese, followed by the diced bacon pieces.
10
Create a small well in the center of each tart and crack a raw egg into it, ensuring the yolk remains intact.
11
Return the tarts to the oven and bake for an additional 5-8 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked to your liking (preferably sunny-side up).
12
Once out of the oven, carefully place the decorative pastry bows on top of each tart.
13
Optional: Garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Puff Pastry Breakfast Bakes?
They are individual breakfast tarts made with flaky puff pastry, pesto, cheddar cheese, bacon, and a perfectly baked egg, designed to look like holiday gifts.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 415 degrees F (210 degrees C).
What size should the puff pastry squares be cut?
The puff pastry sheet should be cut into 4 squares, each measuring 5 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches.
How do I prepare the puff pastry base?
Cut a 1/2 inch wide outline around each square, remove the inner square for bows, and keep the outer border as the base.
How do I keep the center of the pastry from rising too much?
Gently stab the center of the pastry with a fork before baking.
How do you make the decorative pastry bows?
Take the 1/2 inch pastry cutouts and fold the corners inward toward the center to create a bow shape, pressing lightly to secure.
What is the purpose of the egg wash?
Brushing the pastry with a beaten egg helps achieve a beautiful golden-brown finish.
How long do you bake the pastry initially?
The prepared pastry should be baked for approximately 10 minutes or until golden and puffed.
What kind of pesto is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for store-bought pesto sauce.
How much pesto should be added to each tart?
Spread 2 teaspoons of pesto evenly onto each tart base.
What type of cheese is best for these breakfast bakes?
Grated cheddar cheese is recommended for its rich flavor.
How should the bacon be prepared before adding it to the tart?
The bacon should be cooked and diced before being added as a topping.
How do I add the egg to the tart?
Create a small well in the center of the toppings and crack a raw egg into it, keeping the yolk intact.
What is the final baking time after adding the eggs?
Return the tarts to the oven for an additional 5 to 8 minutes.
How should the eggs be cooked?
The eggs should be cooked to your liking, though sunny-side up is the preferred style for this dish.
When do I add the pastry bows to the tarts?
Carefully place the decorative bows on top of each tart after they are finished baking and removed from the oven.
What can I use to garnish the breakfast bakes?
A sprig of fresh thyme is suggested for an elegant, festive garnish.
Should the puff pastry be frozen or thawed?
The puff pastry should be thawed before you begin rolling it out.
What temperature should the eggs be?
It is recommended to use large eggs at room temperature.
Is this recipe suitable for Christmas morning?
Yes, it is specifically designed as an easy and visually stunning dish for holiday mornings.
How do I create a decorative edge on the pastry?
Score the outer edge by making shallow cuts about 1/4 inch inside the border.
What should I line the baking sheet with?
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
How much cheddar cheese is needed in total?
You will need 1/4 cup of grated cheddar cheese.
Can I use a sharp knife for the pastry?
Yes, a sharp knife is recommended for making clean cuts in the puff pastry.
How much bacon is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2 slices of cooked and diced bacon.
Is the puff pastry store-bought or homemade?
The recipe suggests using one sheet of store-bought puff pastry.
Are these tarts individual sized?
Yes, they are individual-sized tarts intended to serve one person each.
What is the difficulty level of this recipe?
It is considered an easy recipe, making it perfect for sharing with family during the holidays.
How many teaspoons of pesto are needed in total?
The recipe requires 8 teaspoons of pesto sauce in total for four tarts.