Happy Fourth of July weekend! This time of year always feels like the heart of summer—when the air is thick with the scent of cut grass, the evenings are long and golden, and ripe blueberries are practically bursting off the bushes. It’s the perfect moment to lean into something sweet, simple, and celebratory.

When you’re looking for something delicious but easy, I always say: pull out your puff pastry. Whether you’re going sweet or savory, galettes are a beautiful shortcut to something that looks impressive and tastes even better. There’s something so satisfying about their rustic, free-form charm—no fussing with pie plates or crimped edges. Just roll, fill, fold, and bake.

A bit of history: galettes originate from France and traditionally refer to flat, round cakes made with a flaky pastry dough. They’re meant to be simple, unfussy, and adaptable—everything I love in a recipe. And this weekend, with fresh blueberries at their peak, I knew it was the perfect time for a batch of mini blueberry galettes.

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Mini Blueberry Galettes with Thyme and Lemon

Yields: 6 individual galettes

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
• 1 ½ cups fresh blueberries
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (plus more for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• Turbinado sugar, for sprinkling

For serving:

• Creamy homemade vanilla ice cream (recipe below)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, toss blueberries with brown sugar, lemon juice, zest, vanilla, thyme, and cornstarch until evenly coated.
3. Roll out the puff pastry and cut into six equal squares or circles.
4. Spoon the berry mixture into the center of each piece, leaving about a 1-inch border. Fold edges over the fruit, pinching slightly to seal.
5. Brush edges with beaten egg and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
6. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
7. Let cool slightly, then top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a few fresh thyme leaves.

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Creamy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

No churn, no problem.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the condensed milk, vanilla, and sea salt.
2. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
3. Gently fold the whipped cream into the condensed milk mixture until fully combined.
4. Transfer to a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze for at least 6 hours.

Set the Scene

Galettes are rustic by nature, so lean into that vibe with your table. A weathered wooden board or vintage-style platter makes the perfect backdrop. Add a stack of neutral gray linen napkins or soft blues as a subtle nod to the July 4th weekend. A few wildflower sprigs tucked into small bud vases complete the look. Serve outside if you can—beneath string lights or the open sky.

Here’s to simple pleasures, seasonal beauty, and a long weekend well spent.