These easy pastry recipes use pantry staples to make everything from fruit-filled turnovers to flaky breakfast treats.
1/30
Cinnamon Quick Bread
From the Recipe Creator:
While cinnamon swirl bread is a natural for breakfast, we love it so much we enjoy it all day long. This is a nice twist on traditional cinnamon swirl yeast breads. —Helen Richardson, Shelbyville, Michigan
2/30
Cinnamon Fruit Biscuits
From the Recipe Creator:
Because these sweet treats are so easy, I'm almost embarrassed when people ask me for the recipe. They're a snap to make with refrigerated buttermilk biscuits, sugar, cinnamon and your favorite fruit preserves. —Ione Burham, Washington, Iowa
3/30
Quick Cherry Turnovers
From the Recipe Creator:
Refrigerated crescent rolls let you make these fruit-filled pastries in a hurry. My family loves these turnovers for breakfast, but they’re so delicious, they’d be welcome any time of the day. Feel free to experiment with other pie fillings as well. —Elleen Oberrueter, Danbury, Iowa
4/30
Banana and Chocolate Puff Pastry
From the Recipe Creator:
Banana with chocolate is such an irresistible combo that I make this quick dessert often. You can also top these tasty bundles with the butter and brown sugar mixture left over from coating the bananas, or sprinkle on a dash of sea salt. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
5/30
Caramel Bubble Ring
From the Recipe Creator:
Lots of caramel topping makes this quick pull-apart bread oh, so gooey and delicious. It truly is a finger-lickin' good baked good. —Laura Clifton, Wenatchee, Washington
6/30
Lemon Pound Cake Muffins
From the Recipe Creator:
I make these lemony muffins for all kinds of occasions. My family always requests them when we have a brunch. They’re so good! —Lola Baxter, Winnebago, Minnesota
7/30
Cherry Chip Scones
From the Recipe Creator:
These buttery scones dotted with dried cherries and vanilla chips are so sweet and flaky that I sometimes serve them for dessert. —Pam Brooks, South Berwick, Maine
8/30
Raspberry Cheese Danish
From the Recipe Creator:
Your guests will think you made these yummy rolls from scratch ... or bought them from a specialty bakery. No one needs to know the recipe calls for refrigerated dough! —Karen Weir, Litchfield, Connecticut
9/30
Pumpkin Scones
From the Recipe Creator:
After trying a pumpkin scone at a coffee house, I was inspired to look for a recipe to try at home. The glaze nicely complements the pumpkin flavor. —Amy McCavour, Gresham, Oregon
10/30
Nutella Hand Pies
From the Recipe Creator:
These pint-sized Nutella hand pies made with puff pastry are too good to keep to yourself! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Check out these 16 puff pastry desserts that will satisfy your sweet tooth.
11/30
Banana Macadamia Muffins
From the Recipe Creator:
These muffins taste even better the next day, so to save time, I often make them the night before. They stay moist for days. —Stasha Wampler, Clinchport, Virginia
12/30
Banana Beignets
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was a little girl, my grandmother took me aside one day and taught me how to make her famous banana beignets. Although we made them during the holidays, they're pretty fantastic any time of the year. —Amy Downing, South Riding, Virginia
13/30
Berry-Filled Doughnuts
From the Recipe Creator:
Four ingredients are all you'll need for this sure-bet breakfast treat. Friends and family will never guess that refrigerated buttermilk biscuits are the base for these golden, jelly-filled doughnuts. —Ginny Watson, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
14/30
Lemon Pull-Apart Coffee Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I found this recipe in a newspaper and make it often. I like to bake this coffee cake when unexpected company stops in and I need something speedy to go with a cup of coffee. —Mary Tallman, Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin
15/30
Pecan Coffee Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom serves this nutty coffee cake for Christmas breakfast each year. The simple recipe is a big timesaver on such an event-filled morning. Everyone loves the crunchy topping. —Becky Wax, Tuscola, Illinois
16/30
Pumpkin Doughnut Drops
From the Recipe Creator:
I always have a few special treats handy when the grandchildren visit. These cake doughnuts are one of their favorite snacks. —Beva Staum, Muscoda, Wisconsin
17/30
Banana Coffee Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
You're sure to go crazy over this yummy banana coffee cake topped with cinnamon, sugar and pecans. This recipe is so delicious that a local pecan grower asked permission to use it in one of his brochures. —Georgia Courtney, Las Cruces, New Mexico
18/30
Glazed Doughnut Holes
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a simple recipe to create a colorful and fun breakfast—or snack! For the glaze, use any type of juice you like. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
19/30
Chocolate Chip Muffins with Sour Cream
From the Recipe Creator:
Take one bite and you'll see why I think these rich, tender muffins are the best I've ever tasted. Mint chocolate chips make them a big hit with my family and friends. —Stephanie Moon, Boise, Idaho
20/30
Apple Pear Coffee Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend gave me this apple pear coffee cake recipe to make for a breakfast I was hosting. The pan was empty before the breakfast was over! It's one of my most-requested recipes, probably because it's a bit different. —Joanne Hoschette, Paxton, Massachusetts
21/30
Cranberry Muffins
From the Recipe Creator:
There's an abundance of cranberries in our area during the fall, and this recipe is one of my favorite ways to use them. I've often given these fresh-baked muffins as a small gift to friends, and they're always well received. —Ronni Dufour, Lebanon, Connecticut
22/30
Buttercup Squash Coffee Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
My father grows a large buttercup squash patch, so each fall, I get an ample amount of his harvest. I make this treat to share with my co-workers. They rave about the moist cake, the crunchy streusel and the applesauce between the layers. —Mary Jones, Cumberland, Maine
23/30
Cappuccino Muffins
From the Recipe Creator:
These are my favorite muffins to serve with a cup of coffee or a tall glass of cold milk. Not only are they great for breakfast, they make a tasty dessert or midnight snack. I get lots of recipe requests whenever I serve them. The espresso spread is also super on a bagel. —Janice Schulz, Racine, Wisconsin
24/30
Rich Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was a teacher, this recipe was recommended by one of my student's parents. I've made it so many times, I can't imagine hosting a brunch without it. Chocolate chips add sweet bursts of flavor to the rich and tender coffee cake. —Michelle Krzmarzick
Torrance, California
25/30
Raspberry Breakfast Braid
From the Recipe Creator:
We also like using blackberries, Marionberries, a mixture of raspberries and blackberries, or all three in this quick and easy pastry. —Tressa Nicholls, Sandy, Oregon
26/30
Pecan Pie Muffins
From the Recipe Creator:
While these are delicious year-round, you could easily turn them into an edible Christmas gift. They look festive on a decorative tray wrapped in red or green cellophane or tucked into a giveaway cookie plate. And don't forget to include the recipe so your recipient can enjoy this treat over and over again! —Pat Schrand, Enterprise, Alabama
27/30
Monkey Bread
From the Recipe Creator:
Both of my boys really enjoyed helping me make this butterscotch monkey bread when they were young. It seemed to taste twice as good when they helped fix it. It's one of our favorites for breakfast or as a snack. —Carol Allen, McLeansboro, Illinois
28/30
Monkey Bread Biscuits
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with an easy, savory—instead of sweet—dinner version of monkey bread featuring garlic and Italian seasoning. —Dana Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
29/30
Doughnut Muffins
From the Recipe Creator:
Back when my children were youngsters, they loved these doughnut muffins as after-school treats or with Sunday brunch. —Sharon Pullen, Alvinston, Ontario
30/30
Lemon Blueberry Scones
From the Recipe Creator:
I enjoy serving these fruity scones for baby and bridal showers. They're a bit lower in fat than most other scones, so you can indulge with little guilt. —Jacqueline Hendershot, Orange, California
Pastry Recipes FAQ
Why is my pastry not flaky?
There could be several reasons why your pastry may not be flaky enough. If the butter melts before baking, it blends into the dough instead of creating steam pockets that form layers. Overmixing the dough can also break down its structure, making the pastry dense instead of airy. Also, if your oven isn’t hot enough, you won’t get that initial lift that helps the pastry rise. For best results, chill your butter, don’t over-mix the dough and start with a hot oven. Some must-have pastry tools, like a pastry cutter, rolling pin and a cold sheet pan, can also help you get that flakiness.
Can I make pastries in advance?
Yes, many pastries can be made ahead of time if you follow simple tips for working with and storing puff pastry. You can bake muffins, coffee cakes and quick breads in advance. For puff pastry desserts and hand pies, it’s best to assemble and chill them overnight, then bake fresh in the morning for the best texture. Doughs for scones or pie crusts also freeze well; just thaw in the fridge before using. If your recipe calls for delicate fillings like custard or fresh fruit, prepare the components separately and assemble just before baking to avoid soggy pastries.
What’s the difference between puff pastry and phyllo dough?
The main difference between puff pastry and phyllo dough is how they are made. Puff pastry is rich and buttery, made by folding cold butter into the dough to form layers. As it bakes, the steam from the butter makes it puff into crisp, flaky sheets. Phyllo (or filo) dough is paper-thin and unleavened. It doesn’t rise, but it crisps. Stack several sheets with butter or oil in between, resulting in a delicate, shattering crunch. Puff pastry is ideal for tarts, turnovers and danishes, while phyllo is used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes like baklava or spanakopita.
Lucy Wang
Lucy is a first-generation Asian American mom and influencer who loves creating fun, approachable recipes.
