How To Make Sweet Pastries

These little pastries are so simple to make but look and taste almost like something from a proper baker or patisserie. Instead of sugar and spice try chocolate spread or apricot jam as fillings – or make a mixture of all three. Finally, although I always make dough by hand in a mixing bowl rather than bother with a food processor, this recipe is significantly quicker and easier if you make the dough by whizzing the ingredients together electronically, so this is one time it’s worth the extra washing up.

1. Step 1:

   Put the flour, butter or margarine, soft cream cheese and sour cream together in a food processor or electric mixer then whiz or pulse for a couple of minutes until the mixture forms a soft dough.

2. Step 2:

   Divide the dough into two halves, wrap each half in cling film, foil or a large food bag and chill in the fridge for about an hour.

3. Step 3:

   Melt the butter for the filling in a small bowl or mug and sift the icing sugar and spices together in another bowl.

4. Step 4:

   Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 4 (180°C) and lightly grease 2 baking sheets before you roll out each piece of dough into a rough circle large enough to cut round a dinner plate. (Save the trimmings for re-rolling.)

5. Step 5:

   Cut each circle of dough into approximately 10–12 wedges, like a pizza, and brush each wedge with melted butter.

6. Step 6:

   Sprinkle the mixed icing sugar and spices over the wedges and roll each one into a twist, starting with the widest part and gently pressing the pointed tip into the dough at the end.

7. Step 7:

   Bake in the oven for 20–25 minutes until golden and leave the pastries to cool on the trays for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.