Although puff pastry may not rank quite as high as chicken stock and canned beans on your must-have food staples list, if you keep a package of it in your freezer, you’ll never be far away from a delicious dessert—or dinner, for that matter. Turns out, the light and flaky dough you’ll find in the freezer aisle is a key building block for so much more than sweets.

Want to set yourself up for shortcut success? Your best bet is to thaw the frozen puff pastry in the fridge overnight, before you start cooking or baking. The dough should be pliable, but not too soft or limp. Once it’s thawed, unfold it carefully—if it’s still frozen in parts, it will crack or break, so it’s worth the extra few minutes to let the dough thaw completely. Be gentle as you roll or cut it—less is more, and you want maximum flakiness. If you can, chill the pastry again before baking, so the butter can firm up; this will help contribute to a beautiful crunch and flake.

In this collection, we’ve pulled together store-bought puff pastry recipes that put this essential to clever use, from breakfast options and snacks to lunches, dinners, and, yes, desserts. Ready for a culinary adventure?

Prosciutto-Wrapped Peach Baked Brie in Pastry. The summer appetizer everyone should be making. Flaky puff pastry wrapped around a wheel of creamy Brie cheese, topped with sweet peach jam, fresh peach slices, and salty prosciutto. Baked until golden and crisp on the outside, perfectly melty inside. While it’s in the oven, I mix fresh peaches with honey and a splash of vinegar for the simplest topping that makes it even yummier!

This one’s always a crowd favorite. It looks impressive, but takes almost no time at all—perfect for last-minute get-togethers.

When I think of summer, I think of nights outside, big family dinners, Dad on the grill, long pool days, watermelon slices, ice cream every night… and sweet, juicy peaches. Always peaches.

Here in Colorado, we get the best Palisade peaches. But I’ll always have a soft spot for Ohio peaches. They’re the ones I grew up on, and I still stock up every time we go back in the summer.

With June officially here, this recipe just feels right. Sweet, simple, summery food. The kind I want to serve all season long.

I actually used frozen peaches from last year to test this recipe early (yes, I plan ahead when it comes to peaches!), but many of you are starting to get those first early summer peaches—this is the perfect way to use them!

I already have plans to make this for the 4th of July, and pretty much every summer gathering from now until September. It’s just that good!

The details

Ingredients

• brie cheese – use a wheel, I get mine from Whole Foods or try Trader Joe’s
• peach jam – if you have homemade, use that!
• fresh or frozen peach slices
• frozen puff pastry
• prosciutto
• an egg
• course sugar – this is for sprinkling

Ingredients – for the peach honey

• honey
• peach or white balsamic vinegar
• fresh or frozen peaches
• fresh thyme or basil

Special Tools

For this brie recipe you will need a sheet pan and small sauce pan.

Steps

Step 1: Prepare the Brie

Something my Nonnie always taught me—appetizers should be simple. So store-bought puff pastry? Always a must! Like her, I keep a couple boxes in the freezer for things like baked Brie or a quick summer galette.

Let the puff pastry thaw, then gently unfold it and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Unwrap your wheel of Brie and set it right in the center of the pastry. Using a paring knife, score the top of the Brie in a crosshatch pattern. This helps all that sweet jam soak in.

Spoon a few tablespoons of peach jam over the top (I love the ones from Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s this time of year—farm stands usually have great local ones, too). Add a few peach slices—fresh or frozen both work. Then sprinkle on some fresh thyme and lots of black pepper.

Little tip: You’ll have extra jam, and it’s SO good. Use it with crackers, as a glaze for grilled chicken, or just spread on toast with a little butter. Summer in a jar.

Step 2: Prosciutto + Wrapping

Now take thin slices of prosciutto and drape them right over the top of the Brie. Tuck the edges underneath so the whole thing is gently wrapped—it doesn’t need to be perfect.

Then wrap the puff pastry up and over the brie, gently pinching to seal the edges. Brush the whole pastry with a beaten egg, and if you want to get a little fancy (I always do), sprinkle with coarse sugar. It adds a little sparkle and a little flavor.

Step 3: Bake

Bake in a hot oven (400°F) until the pastry is a deep golden brown and crisp—don’t worry if it gets a little dark, that’s what you want! The Brie will start to ooze a bit… which just means it’s melty and ready to be devoured.

Step 4: The Peach Honey

While the Brie bakes, make the peach topping: just fresh peach slices, a drizzle of honey, and a splash of balsamic. Let it simmer until the peaches get a little jammy and the whole thing smells like summer.

Spoon the warm peach honey over the Brie right after baking. It’s sweet, sticky, and the perfect finish to an already delicious dish.

What to serve this with?

I always set out a mix of crackers and toasted ciabatta—something crunchy is perfect for scooping. Just grab a spoon and dig in, then pile that melty Brie and flaky pastry right on top.

The prosciutto adds a savory, salty bite that’s so good with the creamy Brie. And that peach honey? It just sweetens the deal in the best way.

If you’re hosting a bigger group, I highly recommend baking two rounds and setting them out on a big cheese board surrounded by crackers, bread, and fresh summer fruit. It looks so pretty and feels like the perfect summer spread.

Looking for other easy brie recipes?? Here are my favorites: 

5 Ingredient Cranberry Brie Cinnamon Puff Pastry Swirls

Cranberry Brie Pastry Tarts

Cranberry Brie Pull Apart Bread

Mini Pastry Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie Bites

Easiest No-Boil Brie Mac and Cheese

Pastry Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie

Lastly, if you make this Prosciutto Wrapped Peach Baked Brie in Pastry, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!