Name: Express Puff Pastry Sticks with Vanilla Ganache
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 150 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: unsalted dry butter; pastry flour; salt; distilled white vinegar; unsalted butter; pastry flour; water; gelatin sheets; whipping cream; Tahitian vanilla beans; white couverture chocolate; slivered almonds; vanilla beans; superfine sugar; lemon juice; superfine sugar; agar powder

Crisp express puff pastry sticks filled with whipped vanilla ganache, vanilla praline and bright lemon gel—an elegant, bakery-style treat made from scratch.

✨ Express Puff Pastry Sticks with Vanilla Ganache

These express puff pastry sticks are a celebration of flaky layers, velvety cream and bright citrus notes—an elegant French-inspired treat that feels bakery-level yet totally doable at home. 🥐✨ With homemade express puff pastry, whipped vanilla ganache, vanilla-scented praline and a refreshing lemon gel, every bite delivers contrast, texture and pure pastry bliss.

🥐 Why This Express Puff Pastry Works

Express puff pastry is perfect when you want the flavour and lift of traditional laminated dough but don’t have hours to spare. By preparing both the beurre manié and détrempe separately, then laminating them together, you still achieve distinct layers and a deep buttery taste—ideal for crisp pastry sticks.

These slim, golden pastry bars make a chic dessert, a dainty afternoon tea treat, or a beautiful plated component for a modern dessert.

🍦 The Components

This recipe layers flavour through three key fillings:

Whipped Vanilla Ganache – Light, creamy and infused with Tahitian vanilla for floral depth.
Vanilla Praline – A crunchy, aromatic blend of almonds, caramelised sugar and extra vanilla.
Lemon Gel – A bright, zesty counterpoint that cuts through the richness. 🍋

Together, they create the perfect balance of buttery, sweet and tangy.

🔪 Working with Express Puff Pastry

Cutting the baked puff pastry while it’s still warm ensures clean edges and beautiful layers. Keeping the pastry weighted during baking encourages even lift without warping—essential for crisp, uniform sticks.

Once cooled, the hollow centres naturally form channels that you can pipe full of ganache, praline and lemon gel. The result is visually striking and deliciously filled pastries.

🧁 Flavour & Texture Notes

Expect a pastry that’s:

Shatteringly crisp on the outside
Softly aerated inside with perfect lamination
Creamy from the vanilla ganache
Nutty from the almond–vanilla praline
Brightened by the punchy lemon gel

It’s a refined treat with layers of personality—ideal for dessert tables, gifts, or showcasing your pastry skills.

🌟 Serving Ideas

These puff pastry sticks pair beautifully with:

Fresh berries or berry coulis
A scoop of vanilla or lemon sorbet
Lightly toasted almonds sprinkled on top
A drizzle of leftover lemon gel

They also keep beautifully in the fridge, making them great for make-ahead entertaining.

💡 Tips for Success

Use dry butter (84% fat) for the best lamination.
Chill the dough between turns to maintain sharp, clean layers.
For the whipped ganache, ensure it’s fully chilled before whipping—it should mound softly and hold shape when piped.
Lemon gel sets firmly with agar; blend before piping for a smooth texture.

🍰 Make-Ahead Friendly

All the fillings can be prepared 1–2 days ahead, and the pastry sticks can be baked the day before. Just fill before serving for the crispest texture.

✍️ Final Thoughts

If you love desserts that balance luxury and lightness, these express puff pastry sticks will quickly become a favourite. They’re elegant, flavour-layered, and perfect for anyone obsessed with pastry craft. 💛🥐