When you’re expecting guests or just craving an original, crispy, and visually stunning savory treat that’s ready in no time, there’s no need for lengthy baking of large pies. Forget about boring open-faced sandwiches – these crispy towers made from ready-rolled puff pastry, brushed with egg, baked to golden perfection, and filled with your favorite spread, ham, and fresh vegetables are an absolute hit that will disappear from the table in a flash. The secret to success lies in the simple cutting of frames, piercing with skewers to prevent puffing, and filling after baking.
What you’ll need for a tray full of treats:
For the savory crispy base:
- Puff pastry (ready-rolled): 1 package (pre-rolled, no need to roll out)
- Egg: 1 pc (beaten, for brushing the towers)
For the rich filling and decoration:
- Spread of your choice: for example, a hearty garlic, tuna, or mild cheese spread
- Ham: quality cooked ham (optional for inside or on top)
- Fresh vegetables: tomatoes, cucumber, or fresh herbs for final decoration
Step-by-step preparation:
1. Clever preparation of the dough and frames: Unroll the puff pastry on your work surface. Use a glass to cut out larger circles. In half of these circles, use a shot glass or smaller cutter to cut out a smaller circle in the center – this way, you’ll create neat frames.
2. Assembling and securing the towers: Brush the whole circles with a little beaten egg. Carefully place the cut-out frame on top and brush the upper edge with egg again so both layers stick together while baking. Gently pierce the center of each tower with a skewer to prevent the dough from puffing up too much in the oven.
3. Baking to golden perfection: Carefully transfer the towers onto a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake in a preheated oven according to the instructions on the puff pastry package (usually at 200°C for about 15 to 20 minutes), until beautifully golden and puffed.
4. Filling with spread and decorating: Let the baked and crispy towers cool completely. Then fill the center opening with your favorite spread (garlic, cheese, or tuna work great). You can add a piece of ham inside or on top and decorate with a slice of tomato, cucumber, or a fresh herb.
Proven tips for perfect results:
- Quick ready-rolled pastry: Using pre-rolled puff pastry saves a lot of time on preparation and rolling.
- Piercing with a skewer: Don’t forget to pierce the center – this keeps the edge tall and creates the perfect space in the middle for a heap of spread.
- Variety of spreads: You can fill the towers with different savory spreads to suit your guests’ tastes, creating a colorful array of flavors on the table.
