Puff pastry is a cornerstone of many impressive dishes, from savory beef wellingtons to elegant desserts. While homemade versions demand precision and effort, most cooks opt for the convenience of store-bought dough. But which brand delivers the best results? Our editors put six widely available puff pastries to the test in a blind taste evaluation to determine a clear winner.
The Challenge: Flakiness, Flavor, and Value
The ideal puff pastry should be light, crisp, and generously layered with buttery flavor. It must be versatile enough to complement sweet or savory fillings without being bland or greasy. Our team evaluated each brand on these criteria, ensuring impartiality by sampling anonymously.
The Verdict: Dufour Takes the Crown
Dufour Puff Pastry Dough emerged as the overwhelming favorite. Nearly all tasters praised its rich, buttery taste and perfect texture. Editorial Director Daniel described it simply as “crisp, tender, good… I taste butter!” Others agreed, citing its flakiness and satisfying richness. Dufour’s commitment to quality ingredients—specifically USDA Grade AA butter as the primary component—clearly sets it apart.
Runner-Up: Trader Joe’s Delivers Quality on a Budget
Trader Joe’s All Butter Puff Pastry Sheets earned a strong second place. While not as intensely buttery as the winner, it still impressed with its texture and flavor. Tasters noted its “very, very flaky” quality and balanced taste. At $5.49 per package, it provides excellent value for those seeking a butter-based pastry at a lower price point.
The Contenders Ranked
The remaining brands tested included:
– 365 by Whole Foods Market Puff Pastry
– JusRol Puff Pastry
– Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets
– Taste of Inspirations Puff Pastry Dough
These options proved inferior in blind tasting, primarily due to their use of vegetable oils instead of butter.
Why Butter Matters: The Science of Flakiness
Traditionally, puff pastry relies on a simple formula: flour, butter, water, salt, and an acidic element (like vinegar or lemon juice). Butter creates the signature flaky layers through steam pockets formed during baking. The brands using vegetable shortening, palm oil, or other oils lacked the depth of flavor and textural perfection found in butter-based options. Some even carried a slight bitterness, suggesting rancidity.
“Our editors strongly preferred puff pastry made with real butter. Other brands we sampled use vegetable shortening, palm oil, canola oil, soybean oil, and/or hydrogenated cottonseed oils… they lack the rich flavor of butter.”
Testing Methodology: Ensuring Impartiality
All tests were conducted blind. Tasters sampled pastries in random order, with no prior knowledge of the brands. Detailed tasting sheets were used to rank each sample based on pre-defined criteria, and results were tabulated without editorial influence. This rigorous process ensures an unbiased assessment of real-world performance.
In conclusion, Dufour Puff Pastry Dough sets the standard for flavor, texture, and quality. If butter is a non-negotiable ingredient, this is the brand to choose. Trader Joe’s provides a strong alternative for budget-conscious bakers. Ultimately, the difference between a passable pastry and a truly exceptional one lies in the quality of its ingredients.
