While I know that puff pastry can be intimidating to many, there are so many fun and easy ways to play with it. While I am an advocate for making homemade dough (plus it absolutely tastes better), I understand that it’s a time commitment and can feel daunting. 

These swirls are the perfect, low-lift puff pastry treat. For this, I even used store-bought dough to show you how easy (and fast) it is to make these. Simply cut them into short strips and roll! Once they bake, dust them with cinnamon and cardamom, and drizzle with a quick, two-ingredient icing sugar. Easy peasy puff pastry!

The thing I might love most about these - besides their ultimate cuteness - is that they aren’t stuck together like a cinnamon roll might be. This makes them perfect for a tray of goodies at your next party or gathering. People can just pick one up without having to manhandle the lot (which is one of my key gross-outs with party food).

Get ready to slice, roll, and bake your way to swirly perfection.

Yields: 42 mini swirls

Ingredients:

• Puff pastry (9”x14” sheet)

• ¾ tsp ground cinnamon 

• ¾ tsp ground cardamom

• ⅓ cup powdered sugar

• Splash of milk

• Egg, optional

Directions:

• Preheat your oven to 415F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper

• Cut your rolled puff pastry into 5”x 3/4” strips (you should get 42 strips out of your sheet)

• Roll each strip up like a cinnamon roll and tuck the “tail” under the bottom to prevent your swirl from spiraling out during the bake

• Place each swirl on your baking tray with about an inch of space 

• For added color if desired, whisk together a egg with a splash of water and brush on outside rim of swirls (not over the top as this could glue your layers together and make them not puff up correctly!)

• Bake 10-12 minutes, rotating halfway through, until puffed and very lightly golden (don’t overbake or these will be crunchy!)

• Remove from tray and cool on wire rack

• In a bowl combine your cinnamon and cardamom

• Sift your powdered sugar into another bowl and whisk with milk

• Place your swirls in a circle on a plate, dust with spices, and drizzle with icing sugar

• Enjoy!

If you love these mini swirls of yum tag @accentgolden in your posts on social! I love to see what you’re baking!

Notes:

If you prefer to make your puff pastry dough instead of buying it in the store, follow this recipe and roll your dough to ⅛” thick, cutting out a 9”x14” sheet, and then wrap and freeze or refrigerate the remaining dough for future use (might I recommend some lady locks or a cute apple pumpkin?)