How should you store leftover puff pastry sheets for later use?

• A. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for short-term use.
• B. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for short-term use, or freeze for longer storage; re-chill and re-roll when ready.
• C. Leave uncovered at room temperature.
• D. Store in a warm place.

Answer: (B)

Keeping puff pastry sheets cold is essential to preserve their flaky, laminated structure. If you’ll use them soon, wrap them tightly and refrigerate for short-term storage—the cold keeps the butter solid and the dough workable so you can roll it out without losing layers. For longer storage, freezing is best: wrap tightly and freeze. When you’re ready to use them, re-chill and then re-roll to the desired thickness; this helps the fat firm up again and the layers stay distinct. Avoid leaving puff pastry uncovered at room temperature or in a warm place, because heat softens the fat, causes the layers to merge, and ruins the pastry’s characteristic flakiness.