Flowering Peach Puffs

Name: Flowering Peach Puffs
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Ingredients: 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed; 2 cups very thinly sliced peeled peaches or frozen unsweetened sliced peaches, thawed; 1 tablespoon sugar; 3 ounces cream cheese, softened; 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups whipped topping; 6 fresh raspberries

Prepared puff pastry makes it easy to create these tempting treats layered with a creamy homemade spread. Peach "petals" and a fresh raspberry center add the final floral touches.

Ingredients

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
2 cups very thinly sliced peeled peaches or frozen unsweetened sliced peaches, thawed
1 tablespoon sugar
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups whipped topping
6 fresh raspberries

Directions

On a lightly floured surface; roll pastry to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut out six circles with a floured 3-1/2-in round cookie cutter. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Cut leaves from the scraps, using a floured 1-1/2-in. leaf-shaped cookie cutter; place on baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.
In a large bowl, toss peaches with sugar; set aside. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Fold in the whipped topping.
Split pastry circles in half. Spread about 2 tablespoons cream cheese mixture over the bottom half of each; replace tops. Spread about 1 tablespoon cream cheese mixture on the top of each. Arrange peach slices in an overlapping circular pattern on the cream cheese layer. Garnish each with a raspberry and puff pastry leaves.

Originally published as Flowering Peach Puffs in Quick Cooking May/June 2004