Filled Yeast Pastry

👨‍🍳 Method

For the Dough base

1. 1
   Mix the flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl.

   Bowl
2. 2
   Add the lukewarm water and olive oil and Knead about 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth, pliable and doesn't stick to your hands.

   ⚙ KneadingBowlStand mixer

   💡For yeast dough, use the windowpane test: a small piece stretches into a thin, translucent sheet without tearing, and that's the sign the kneading is done. Add flour only by the tablespoon, and only if the dough is still sticky after a few minutes: too much flour makes a tough dough.
3. 3
   Cover and Let rise about an hour in a warm place, until the dough doubles in size.

   ⚙ ProofingPlastic wraporKitchen towel

   💡Let rise in a warm, draft-free spot. The dough is ready when it has doubled, and a gentle finger press leaves a dent that fills back slowly; if it springs right back, wait longer.
4. 4
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (355°F).

   ⚙ Preheating the OvenOven

   💡Put things in the oven only once it's reached temperature, after the heating light has gone off: an oven that hasn't reached temperature changes baking times, and the bake burns outside or stays underbaked.
5. 5
   Roll out the dough 5 mm thick and cut out rounds 8 cm across.

   ⚙ Rolling Out DoughRolling pinCookie cutter

   💡Roll from the center outward and give the dough a quarter turn between rolls: this keeps it even in thickness and stops it sticking to the counter. If it springs back, cover for 10–15 minutes and try again.
6. 6
   Put a teaspoon of filling in the center of each round, close the dough over it and press the edges together well.

   💡A teaspoon of filling per round, no more: the dough rises in the oven, and an overfilled pastry splits at the seam and the filling leaks out.
7. 7
   Arrange the pastries spaced apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

   Baking panParchment paper
8. 8
   Cover with a towel and Let rise for 30 minutes, until the pastries puff slightly.

   ⚙ ProofingPlastic wraporKitchen towel
9. 9
   Bake 15–20 minutes, until the pastries are golden.

   ⚙ BakingOvenBaking pan

   💡Check by the cue (until…), not just the clock: every oven bakes a little differently.