Puff Pastry Twists (with orange and cardamom)
These Puff Pastry Cardamom Orange Twists are the kind of easy dessert that feels extra special. Flaky, golden, and filled with warm cardamom and bright orange flavor, they’re delicious served with lightly sweetened whipped cream for dipping. Perfect for spring gatherings, brunch, or a simple treat with coffee.
There’s something so inviting about a simple dessert that looks a little fancy but comes together with ease—and these Puff Pastry Cardamom Orange Twists are exactly that. Flaky, golden layers are twisted with warm cardamom and bright citrus, then baked until crisp and fragrant. Serve them fresh from the oven with a bowl of lightly sweetened whipped cream for dipping, and you have a dessert that feels both cozy and elevated—perfect for a spring gathering, holiday table, or a quiet afternoon treat.
What are Puff Pastry Twists?
Here’s a fun breakfast board idea; instead of scones or danish, make your own pastry twists made with puff pastry! Or, you can make Cinnamon Cruffins with crescent rolls. So many easy hacks!
Made with store-bought puff pastry, these Puff Pastry Cardamom Orange Twists are an easy dessert that feels extra special—especially served with a bowl of soft whipped cream. Simply cut the pastry into even strips with a knife or pizza cutter, then gently twist each one into a long stick. So simple, and so good!
Why I love this recipe
- Feels bakery-worthy, but so easy to make at home
- Flaky, golden twists with a delicious, fragrant cardamom flavor
- Bright orange zest adds the perfect fresh, citrusy balance
- Easy to customize—swap cardamom for cinnamon if preferred
- Simple ingredient tweak: just use half the amount if using cinnamon instead
Ingredients for Puff Pastry Twists
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make these flaky, citrusy pastry twists:
- Puff pastry – Store-bought puff pastry keeps this recipe easy and gives the twists their light, flaky layers.
- Orange – You’ll use fresh orange zest for bright citrus flavor that pairs beautifully with the warm spices.
- Sugar – Adds just the right touch of sweetness and helps create a lightly crisp finish.
- Cardamom – This fragrant spice gives the twists their cozy, bakery-style flavor.
- Nutmeg – Just a little adds warmth and depth.
- Kosher salt – Balances the sweetness and brings out all the flavors.
- Butter – Melted butter helps the sugar and spice mixture stick and adds richness.
- Vanilla – A splash of vanilla adds soft, sweet flavor to the whipped cream.
- Whipped cream – Lightly sweetened whipped cream is the perfect creamy dip for serving.
How to Make Puff Pastry Cardamom Orange Twists
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter, sugar, salt, nutmeg, vanilla orange zest and cardamom until smooth and creamy. Beat again for 5 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed, until light and spreadable.
- On a lightly floured surface or parchment paper, roll each sheet of puff pastry into about a 12-inch square. Spread half of the orange-cardamom butter evenly over one sheet of pastry. Place the second sheet on top and gently roll it out a little more, until slightly larger.
- Spread the remaining butter over the top, then fold the pastry in half lengthwise. Roll it out again until it is about 16 inches wide.
- Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into thin strips. Gently stretch each strip just a bit, then twist into a spiral and place on the prepared baking sheets.
- Chill the twists in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes before baking. Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with a little extra sugar, and bake in two batches for 18–20 minutes, turning the pan halfway through, until puffed and golden brown.
- Let cool slightly, then serve warm with lightly sweetened whipped cream for dipping.
What to Serve with Puff Pastry Twists
Make your own Whipped Cream: You can use already whipped, or if you make your own take 1 cup of heavy whipping cream, and whip until thick. Add ½ tsp vanilla and ¼ cup powdered sugar; stir and enjoy!
These twists are delicious served warm with a bowl of lightly sweetened whipped cream for dipping. They also pair beautifully with fresh berries, a citrus fruit salad, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a more indulgent dessert. For brunch or a spring gathering, serve alongside coffee, tea, or mimosas for a simple but elegant spread.
And just in time for the weekend, or for Easter or Mother’s Day, serve these Cardamom Orange Twists on a breakfast board!
Tips for Working with Puff Pastry
- Keep it cold: Puff pastry works best when it’s chilled. If it gets too soft or sticky while you’re working, place it back in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
- Thaw it just enough: Let frozen puff pastry thaw until it’s pliable but still cool. If it gets too warm, it can be harder to handle.
- Use a lightly floured surface: This helps prevent sticking without drying out the dough.
- Roll gently: Puff pastry doesn’t need a lot of pressure—just enough to even it out and slightly enlarge the sheets.
- Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter: This helps create clean strips without dragging or tearing the dough.
- Chill before baking: A quick chill after twisting helps the pastry hold its shape and puff beautifully in the oven.
- Bake until golden brown: Puff pastry should be deeply golden and crisp for the best texture and flavor.
- Serve the same day: These twists are best enjoyed fresh, when the pastry is crisp and flaky.
Storage Tips
Store leftover puff pastry twists in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, place them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep in mind they may lose some of their crispness over time.
Reheating Tips
To bring back that flaky texture, reheat the twists in a 350°F oven for 5–8 minutes until warmed through and crisp. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it can make the pastry soft instead of flaky.
More recipes made with cardamom:
Get the Recipe:
Puff Pastry Twists with Orange and Cardamom
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- 1 orange
- ⅓ cup sugar, plus 2 ½ Tbsp
- 1 ½ Tbsp cardamom
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup Whipped cream, for serving
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a stand mixer, beat butter with sugar, salt, nutmeg, vanilla, orange zest, and cardamom.
- Beat the butter, scraping the sides as needed, until whipped smooth, and malleable— 5 minutes. Set aside.
- Roll each sheet of puff pastry into a 12’’ square—I recommend doing this on a sheet of parchment or a lightly floured surface.
- Spread half the softened butter into a thin even layer onto one sheet.
- Place the other sheet on top of the buttered pastry, and roll out about an inch in each direction, so the pastry is about a 13’’ square.
- Spread the top of the pastry with the remaining butter and fold in half, lengthwise, once more. Roll out until 16’’ wide.
- Using a knife or pizza cutter, divide the dough in half. Divide each half into 4 strips, then 8, then 16 strips total.
- Take each 1 inch strip and gently pull apart an inch or so and twist tightly. into a spiral. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Once all pieces are twisted, place in the refrigerator for 5 minutes until chilled. Transfer half of the twists to a parchment-lined baking sheet—you’ll need to bake them in two batches so they have enough room to puff. Keep the second batch in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
- Brush the twists with the egg wash and sprinkle each with about ½ tsp of the remaining sugar. Transfer to the oven for 18-20 minutes, rotating the pan 180 degrees midway through baking. Repeat for the second batch of twists.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before enjoying with whipped cream.
- Whipped cream: You can use already whipped, or if you make your own take 1 cup of heavy whipping cream, and whip until thick. Add ½ tsp vanilla and ¼ cup powdered sugar; stir and enjoy!
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
