Apple or Pear Puff Squares

Sometimes you want the comfort of pie or strudel — but without all the work. That’s when puff pastry comes to the rescue. These rustic puff squares, topped with thin slices of apple or pear, brushed with butter and sugar, and baked until golden, are quick enough for a weeknight yet pretty enough for the holidays. In Canadian kitchens, they’ve become a go-to fall dessert, celebrating the country’s orchards in the simplest way possible.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Serves: 4–6

Ingredients

• 1 sheet puff pastry (about 250 g), thawed if frozen

• 1–2 apples or pears, very thinly sliced into rounds (skin on, seeds showing for a rustic look)

• 1 tbsp butter, melted

• 2 tbsp sugar (white or brown) or 2 tbsp honey

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Optional

• Powdered sugar for dusting

• A scoop of ice cream, to serve

Method

• Prep oven: Preheat to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Prepare pastry: Roll puff pastry lightly on a floured surface to smooth edges. Cut into rectangles or leave whole as one large sheet. Place on baking sheet.

• Arrange fruit: Lay apple or pear slices in overlapping rows on pastry. Brush fruit with melted butter.

• Sweeten & glaze: Sprinkle with sugar or drizzle with honey. Brush pastry edges with egg wash.

• Bake: Cook 18–20 minutes, until pastry is puffed and golden and fruit is tender.

• Serve: Enjoy warm, dusted with powdered sugar or with a scoop of ice cream.

Variations

• Maple touch: Drizzle baked squares with warm maple syrup.

• Spiced fruit: Sprinkle fruit with cinnamon or nutmeg before baking.

• Mini bites: Cut pastry into smaller squares for cocktail-party desserts.