Delicate puff pastry, lightly flavored quark, and juicy nectarine slices come together in these simple sweet swirls that require no rising. Lemon juice gives the filling a fresh note, while powdered sugar provides the perfect sweetness.
This recipe uses two rectangles of dough, which are filled, rolled, and sliced. Simply place fruit in the center of each swirl and bake everything on a tray lined with baking paper. It’s important to cover the top with another sheet of paper during baking, so the pastry doesn’t brown too quickly at the high temperature.
What You’ll Need
For the dough and quark filling:
- 500 g puff pastry,
- 500 g quark,
- 150 g powdered sugar,
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice,
- a pinch of salt.
For the fruit topping:
- 3 nectarines.
Step-by-Step Preparation:
1. Prepare the quark filling: Place the quark in a bowl. Add the powdered sugar, a pinch of salt, and lemon juice, then mix everything thoroughly to create a smooth filling that can be easily spread over the dough.
2. Divide the dough: Split the puff pastry into two equal halves. Roll each piece into a rectangle so the quark mixture can be spread evenly and rolling is as easy as possible.
3. Fill the first part: Spread half of the prepared quark mixture evenly over the first rectangle. Carefully roll the dough with the filling into a tight log, similar to a roulade, and then cut it into individual slices.
4. Prepare the second log: Repeat the same process with the second half of the dough. Spread with the remaining quark filling, roll into a log, and slice into pieces to make more swirls.
5. Slice the nectarines: Cut the nectarines into thin slices. Line a baking tray with baking paper and arrange the cut swirls on it, ready to be topped with fruit.
6. Finish the swirls: Gently press two thin nectarine slices into the center of each swirl. Insert the fruit carefully so each piece keeps its shape and the quark filling stays inside the rolled dough.
7. Baking: Place the tray in an oven preheated to 220 °C and bake the swirls for about 20 to 25 minutes. Cover the top with baking paper so the pastry doesn’t brown too quickly at the high temperature.
8. Finishing: Remove the baked swirls from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. This way, the quark filling won’t be too hot right after baking, and the pastry layers will hold together better when served.
How to Fill the Swirls Evenly
Divide the quark mixture into two parts before spreading it on the dough. This ensures there’s enough filling for both rectangles, and the swirls will have a similar taste and texture. Spread the filling in an even layer so the dough can be rolled up without squeezing out the quark.
Slice the logs carefully so their spiral shape isn’t squashed. Prepare the nectarine slices thin, as you’ll be placing two in the center of each piece.
Why Cover the Swirls While Baking
This recipe uses an oven heated to 220 °C, so the surface of the puff pastry can brown quite quickly. Covering with baking paper helps prevent the top from coloring too fast while the swirls finish baking for the recommended 20 to 25 minutes.
Final Tip
Arrange the swirls on the tray with enough space between them so they don’t stick together while baking. When adding the nectarines, gently press the fruit into the center without disturbing the rolled layers of puff pastry. Serve the finished pastry only after a short cooling period.
