Miguelitos! These delicate Spanish puff pastries are simply divine. Imagine layers of crisp, buttery puff pastry generously dusted with powdered sugar, sandwiching a smooth, creamy filling. They’re the perfect balance of textures and sweetness, guaranteed to satisfy your sweet cravings.
Whether you’ve enjoyed them at a Spanish bakery or have never even heard of them, this guide will empower you to recreate these delightful treats in your own kitchen. Let’s embark on this delicious journey together!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Miguelitos:
- 1 package (14.1 ounces) of puff pastry sheets, thawed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, for sprinkling
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
For the Pastry Cream Filling:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Tools of the Trade
- Sharp knife
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Small saucepan
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Piping bag or zip-top bag
- Serrated knife
Miguelitos Ingredients
Crafting Your Miguelitos: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Preparing the Puff Pastry
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Lightly dust your work surface with flour. Unfold your puff pastry sheets and cut them into equal squares. The size is up to you, but I find 2-inch squares to be perfect.
Expert Tip: For extra flaky layers, you can lightly roll out the puff pastry before cutting.
2. Baking to Perfection
- Place the puff pastry squares onto your prepared baking sheets.
- Sprinkle them generously with granulated sugar. This will create a beautiful caramelized crust.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastries are puffed up and golden brown.
- Let the pastries cool completely on a wire rack before filling.
Baked Miguelitos
3. Creating the Luscious Pastry Cream
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
- Heat over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks.
- Gradually whisk a small amount of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks to temper them.
- Pour the tempered egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining hot milk mixture.
- Cook for another minute, whisking constantly, until the pastry cream is thick and smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract.
- Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pastry cream to prevent a skin from forming.
- Let it cool completely.
4. Assembling Your Miguelitos
- Once the pastry squares are completely cool, carefully slice them in half horizontally using a serrated knife.
- Transfer the cooled pastry cream to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off.
- Pipe or spoon a generous amount of pastry cream onto the bottom half of each pastry square.
- Gently top with the other half of the pastry square.
- Dust generously with powdered sugar.
Expert Tip: For a fun twist, add a thin layer of your favorite jam or dulce de leche before adding the pastry cream!
Miguelitos FAQs
Q: Can I make the pastry cream ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can make the pastry cream up to 2 days in advance. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Q: My puff pastry isn’t puffing up, what should I do?
A: Make sure your oven is preheated properly and that your baking sheets aren’t overcrowded. Also, avoid using cold baking sheets, as this can prevent the pastry from puffing up properly.
Q: Can I freeze miguelitos?
A: While you can freeze them, they are best enjoyed fresh. Freezing can sometimes make the puff pastry a bit soggy.
A Taste of Spanish Heaven
There you have it! Your very own homemade miguelitos. These little bites of pastry heaven are perfect for any occasion, from casual gatherings to elegant parties. They are sure to impress your friends and family with their exquisite taste and charming appearance.
What are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients and experience the joy of creating these Spanish delights in your own kitchen! Don’t forget to share your culinary masterpiece with us in the comments below. Happy baking!
