Top 8 readymade pastries

READYMADE pastry is a terrific standby. Fill shortcrust with something savoury for an easy lunch, or with seasonal fruit for a quick dessert dish.

I don’t use baking beans, but bake pricked with a fork, uncovered in the oven for a crisper finish. If the pastry rises just pat it down.

The shortcrust pastry samples which made the final eight here, are good for cutting out shapes with children for biscuits. Bake and finish off with a dusting of finely grated chocolate or vanilla-flavoured icing sugar.