No matter how planned out we like our days to be ( and some of us take this much more seriously than others) we can’t predict everything. Sometimes, you get thrown for a loop that you couldn’t have possibly prepared for. And when that sudden surprise involves entertaining others — as it often does — the pressure is really on.

When you’re suddenly expecting people, the clock starts ticking; you only have so long to clean the house, get yourself ready, and have something for your guests to pick on while they’re visiting.

Veggie platters and cheese plates are easy enough to whip up, but what about dessert? Forget pre-cut cookie dough or store-bought pies, we’ve got the perfect last minute dessert for you: an indulgent chocolate-filled pastry.

This doesn’t SOUND like something you can make at a moment’s notice, but thanks to DaveHax, it is! You only need a few simple ingredients and a few minutes of your time to make this incredible dessert, and it’s something that your guests will really think you slaved away making.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this amazing, simple dessert:

Chocolate-Filled Puff Pastry

Ingredients

  • 1 package of puff pastry
  • 1 chocolate bar
  • 1 egg
  • Flaked almonds (optional)

Start by laying out your puff pastry. If you want to make this from scratch, you’re welcome to, but a pre-package one will work just as well! And it will definitely save you time if you’re in a rush.

Chocolate unwrapped, inside of pastry.DaveHax
Unwrap your chocolate bar and place it in the center of the unrolled pastry. You’ll want to cut the pastry to size depending on the length and width of your chocolate bar; you’ll need about two inches of pastry on both sides of the bar and about an inch of pastry on the top and bottom of the bar.

Once the pastry is cut to size, you’ll need to make some slices in the dough; the object is to have eight or nine cuts of pastry on each side of the bar. You’ll be folding each of these slices in to create an elegant, criss-cross look across the chocolate.

To see the best way to cut and fold the pastry, however, you’ll have to watch the helpful DaveHax video below. Make sure you do, because how you fold the pastry will alter the whole presentation of your dessert.

Next, you’ll make an egg wash for your pastry by beating one egg; the egg wash will help to make the outside of your dessert brown, crispy, and flavorful. Brush the single egg mixture over the top of your pastry and feel free to add a decorative coating of flaked almonds for a little extra flavor and crunch. If you’re allergic to almonds, know that this step is optional.

To bake, put the pastry in an oven preheated to 400 °F for about 20 minutes. When the pastry is brown and cooked all the way through, it’s ready to take out and cool. Once it’s cool enough to handle, there’s nothing better than cutting into this gooey pastry! Just watching it get pulled apart is enough to make us starving, and your guests are guaranteed to fall in love with it!

What do you think of this quick dessert? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.