Quick and Easy Sfogliatelle

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This quick and easy sfogliatelle recipe is a simple version of the traditional Italian pastries that are light, fluffy, and deliciously flaky. They are perfect for any occasion, whether you're hosting a party or just want to treat yourself to a special treat. Best of all, our easy sfogliatelle recipe makes it easy to enjoy these delicious pastries at home.

powdered sugar dusted sfogliatelle on black plate with fresh berries

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Sfogliatelle Recipe
Ingredients
Handy Kitchen Tools
How to Make Sfogliatelle
Frequently Asked Questions
More Pastry Recipes
📖 Recipe

Sfogliatelle Recipe

Traditionally a recipe that takes hours to create due to the many times you fold and proof the dough, this is one sweet treat that is often avoided. If you want the flavor and style of dessert, but don't want to spend hours laminating the dough, then this semi-homemade option is sufficient.

This easy sfogliatelle recipe will show you how to make this delicious flaky treat at home with just a few simple ingredients. It has the most amazing flavor and is similar to a cream puff pastry but with a toasted almond flavor. The outside is crispy and the inside is fluffy and light. You'll be surprised how easy it is to make this tasty pastry.

If you want an even easier pastry option, then the puff pastry custard whipped cream cake is a perfect solution that is sure to please.

white oval plate with scalloped edges topped with baked sfogliatelle

Ingredients

1 sheet puff pastry
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (100g)
4 tablespoons cream cheese, softened (57g)
2 tablespoons apricot jam (35g)
1 large egg
1 tablespoon milk (15ml)

Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting

round black plate holding baked pastry covered in powdered sugar next to sliced strawberries

Handy Kitchen Tools

apricot cheesecake stuffed sfogliatelle on baking sheet

How to Make Sfogliatelle

Begin by preheating the oven and then lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set this aside.

Then, in a bowl, beat together the cream cheese and apricot jam until it is smooth. Set this aside for later.

orange bowl of jam being spooned into white bowl with cream ccheese

Now, on a clean surface, roll out the puff pastry and divide it into 3 equal portions. Then, roll these out so they match the size, and brush each piece with melted butter, stacking them together.

pastry brush adding butter to puff pastry

Once they are stacked, roll them lengthwise until you have a long log/roll of pastry.

pastry dough being rolled into tube before cutting

Now, cut into ¼" to ½" thick rounds.

hand holding roll of pastry and slicing into rounds

Then, use your fingers to make an impression in the center, pressing it down to create a cone shape of dough that shows the rings of dough and layers.

hand creating well in uncooked sfogliatelle dough

Feel each of these centers with a spoon of the apricot cream cheese and then fold the edges over and pinch together sealing the filling inside the pastry.

spoon of filling being added to cone of pastry

Repeat this process using all of the dough, and placing them onto a baking sheet you have already prepared.

hand placing raw sofliatelle on baking sheet

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk and then brush it over the sfogliatellle.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Let it cool for 2 to 3 minutes, then dust it with powdered sugar.

sfogliatelle on plate with sliced berries

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sfogliatelle?

Sfogliatelle is a traditional Italian pastry that is made with layers of flaky dough and a sweet filling. It is usually shaped into a shell or roll shape, and it is often filled with ricotta cheese. Some consider this to look like a lobster claw.

Sfogliatelle comes from the Italian word "sfoglio," which means "to peel." This refers to the process of creating layers of dough, which are peeled or rolled away from each other.

The dough for sfogliatelle is made with flour, water, and butter. Once the dough is made and rested, it is cut into strips and formed into shells or rolls. The sfogliatelle is then filled with a sweet filling, such as ricotta cheese, and baked until golden brown.

This recipe uses a ready-made puff pastry to save time and give similar results to a flaky pastry filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture.

What Dough Is Best For Lazy Sfogliatelle?

Because making the flaky dough can take some time, similar to making danish dough or cinnamon roll dough, you can take a shortcut. You don't have to make the dough yourself. If you want to make the lazy version, you can use puff pastry. It has great layers of flaky dough without all the time.

Do You Bake or Fry Sfogliatelle?

Sfogliatelle is typically baked. This creates a light and airy texture without all of the oil. Deep frying would soak with too much oil and remove that flaky buttery pastry flavor you desire.

What Fillings Can I Put In Sfogliatelle?

The filling for sfogliatelle is just like any other filling. I am using apricot cream cheese, but you can use a lot of different fillings. You can use a fruit filling, like using strawberry or raspberry jam. You can even use a fruit pie filling. I love to use a chocolate filling or add something like hazelnut and chocolate such as Nutella.

The result, no matter what you add, is a flaky pastry that you bite into and find a delicious creamy filling to contrast to the texture of the pastry.

How Long are Sfogliatelle Good For?

Sfogliatelle are best the day they are made, but they will keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days. I wouldn't freeze them because the dough will get tough and soggy from the filling. This will result in a loss of the classic texture from the pastry dough.

You can reheat it in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes to crisp up the outside when serving the next day.

More Pastry Recipes

Pastries are a favorite in my home, but they often take a considerable amount of time to make. Instead of hours in the kitchen, you can take advantage of some of our favorite semi-homemade recipes that use basic kitchen hacks and items you already have on hand. Below are a few of my personal favorite recipes for you to bookmark. You can also print out the recipe or even pin it to Pinterest so it is handy when you are ready to make it!

📖 Recipe

Yield: 16

Quick and Easy Sfogliatelle

Indulge in the delicate and flaky layers of this easy sfogliatelle recipe. Perfect for a sweet and indulgent breakfast or dessert, these Italian pastries are sure to impress.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

1 sheet puff pastry
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (100g)
4 tablespoons cream cheese, softened (57g)
2 tablespoons apricot jam (35g)
1 large egg
1 tablespoon milk (15ml)

Optional for topping

¼ cup powdered sugar (35g)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 360°F/180°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper then set it aside.
Now, add the cream cheese and apricot jam to a large bowl and beat them together with a hand mixer. Set this aside.
On a clean surface, roll out the puff pastry and divide it into 3 equal portions. Once divided, brush each piece with the melted butter. Then place them on top of each other.
Now, roll them so they are pressed together slightly, and then roll that piece into a long log and cut them into ¼" to ½" round pieces.
On each piece, use your fingers to make an impression in the center. This will help create a cone shape with the dough.
Then, add a spoonful of filling into each of these and press the edges together to hold the cheesecake mixture in the middle.
Repeat this process using all of the dough, and placing them onto a baking sheet you already prepared.
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk and then brush it over the sfogliatellle.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Let it cool for 2 to 3 minutes, then dust it with powdered sugar.