Description
Panera’s pecan braid inspires this homemade pastry that brings bakery-style elegance to morning tables. Rich buttery dough swirls with cinnamon-spiced pecans, creating a sweet breakfast treat perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (thawed)
- ⅔ cup (66 g) pecan chips
- ½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar (packed)
- ¼ cup (81 g) maple syrup
- 3 tbsps (44 ml) salted butter (very soft)
- 1 large egg (beaten with 1 tbsp of water)
- 1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
- ½ tsp (1 g) ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 ½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar
- 3 tbsps (44 ml) milk (plus more as needed)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) with the rack positioned centrally for uniform heat distribution.
- Filling Creation: Blend pecans, maple syrup, dark brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined, creating a rich, aromatic mixture.
- Pastry Preparation: Unfurl the thawed puff pastry on a parchment-lined surface, gently rolling to eliminate creases and establish a smooth rectangular foundation.
- Filling Placement: Spread the pecan mixture along the pastry’s central third, maintaining precise margins at the top and bottom edges to facilitate braiding.
- Braiding Technique: Slice diagonal strips along the outer pastry thirds, then artfully interweave these sections over the filling, creating an elegant lattice pattern while sealing the edges to prevent filling escape.
- Egg Wash Application: Whisk an egg and delicately brush the pastry’s entire surface, ensuring a lustrous, golden exterior during baking.
- Baking Process: Transfer the pastry to the preheated oven, baking for 25-30 minutes until the dough achieves a deep golden hue and the filling bubbles enticingly.
- Cooling and Glazing: Allow the pastry to cool completely, then craft a smooth glaze by whisking powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and milk until it reaches a perfect drizzling consistency.
- Final Touch: Generously cascade the glaze over the cooled pastry, permitting it to set before presenting this delectable creation.
Notes
- Pastry Precision: Use cold puff pastry for the flakiest, most delicate texture and ensure it’s fully thawed but still chilled when working with it.
- Filling Finesse: Allow the pecan mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes before spreading to let flavors meld and create a more intense taste profile.
- Braiding Technique: Cut pastry strips evenly and at a 45-degree angle for a professional-looking braid that ensures uniform baking and beautiful presentation.
- Glaze Management: Start with less liquid in the glaze and gradually add milk to control consistency, preventing it from becoming too runny or too thick.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg