Looking for a fun and unique recipe for apple dessert? These Puff Pastry Apple Roses are it! They’re easier to make than you might think, are perfect for any occasion and are sure to impress the entire crowd!
Maybe it’s Valentine’s Day and you’re in search of the perfect dessert to make your boo thang. Or perhaps you’ve just gone apple picking with the whole entire family and ended up with more than your weight in fresh apples. Or maybe, just maybe, you’re simply an apple lover always on the hunt for new and exciting things to make with ’em. Well, either way, I think you should put these baked apple roses on your list of things to make (we all have one of those, right?!) They’re fun to put together, delicious to eat and a stand out way to enjoy apples. Even the kids are going to love this one!
These puff pastry apple roses are not only delicious but they’re so dang pretty. Allllllmost even too pretty to eat! Am I right? With the perfect apple rose petals and golden brown pastry crust, this recipe for apple dessert is always a hit. They make a great alternative to classic apple pie on the Thanksgiving dessert table, will make just about anyone feel special on their birthday and is the rose I want on any Valentine’s day. But guess what? These puff pastry apple roses are actually so simple to make that it doesn’t need to be a special occasion or holiday to enjoy them.
So put up your feet and flick on a movie cause any day is a good day for this fun and unique apple dessert recipe!
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE THESE PUFF PASTRY APPLE ROSES
This recipe for apple dessert may look fancy but hey, all you need are a few simple ingredients to throw it all together. Let’s get into them in a little bit more detail down below:
- Puff Pastry: A light, flaky pastry made from laminated dough composed of many layers of butter trapped between layers of dough. When baked, the moisture in the butter creates steam, causing the pastry to puff up and become airy and crispy. Sounds delicious, huh? You can usually find it in the freezer section of any normal grocery store. You’ll have to thaw it before you use it in this recipe so just follow the package instructions before you start for best results.
- Apples: The main filling for in these delicious apple roses. Apples add a sweet and fruity flavour and a juicy texture to this recipe for apple dessert. They’re also a good source of fiber and vitamin C. Use apples that are firm and slightly tart for the best results. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp or Fuji apples are all great options. However, to give your apple dessert a real rose effect, I recommend using apples that have red skin for prettiest and best results.
- Lemon Juice: Used to prevent the apple slices from browning and adds a tangy flavour to balance the sweetness of the apples, honey and other ingredients. Freshly squeezed lemon juice works best in this recipe.
- Cinnamon: A warm spice that pairs beautifully with apples, adding depth of flavour and a cozy aroma to the dessert.
- Sugar: Combined with the cinnamon to create a quick and simple homemade cinnamon sugar. The cinnamon sugar is used to sweeten the apple filling and to sprinkle on top of the pastry for added sweetness and a caramelized finish when baked.
- Honey: Adds sweetness and a rich, floral flavour to the dessert. It also helps to create a glossy finish on the pastry when baked and acts as a “glue” to hold it altogether. You can use maple syrup instead, if you prefer.
- Butter: Enhances the flavour and richness of this recipe for apple dessert. In this recipe, you mix melted butter with honey to create a honey butter mixture to brush onto the puff pastry before adding the apple slices which not only adds a delicious flavour but contributes to the dessert’s glossy finish.
- Icing Sugar (also known as powdered sugar or confectioner’s sugar): Used to dust the baked apple roses before serving and brings this recipe for apple dessert to life. It adds a sweet and decorative touch to the finished dessert. So, I wouldn’t skip it!
HOW TO MAKE PUFF PASTRY APPLE ROSES (KEY TIPS)
You can find full instructions for how to make this fun recipe for apple dessert in the recipe card down below. But here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:
- Choose the right apples. Use apples that are firm and slightly tart for the best results. Popular varieties include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp or Fuji apples. These apples hold their shape well when baked and provide a nice balance of sweetness and tartness. EXTRA TIP: For the most realistic rose look, use apples that have red skin.
- Slice the apples thinly and evenly. Thinly sliced apples will be easier to roll and will bake more evenly. Use a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife to slice the apples thinly. Aim for uniform slices to ensure consistent results.
- Prevent browning with lemon juice. As soon as you slice the apples, toss them in lemon juice to prevent browning. The acid in the lemon juice helps to preserve the colour and freshness of the apples so you don’t have to worry about them turning brown while you’re cutting the rest.
- Thaw puff pastry properly before getting started. If you’re using frozen puff pastry, make sure to thaw it properly according to the package instructions. Thawing it at room temperature for about 30-40 minutes or in the refrigerator overnight will ensure that it’s easy to work with and bakes up light and flaky.
- Grease the muffin tin generously. The last thing you want is for your puff pastry apple roses to stick to the bottom of the pan and fall apart when you try to get them out. You want to be able to slide them right out without ruining their shape or breaking the pastry dough. If the edges are stuck a little bit, just use a knife to gently wiggle them free.
- Work quickly. Puff pastry can become soft and difficult to handle if it gets too warm. Work quickly when rolling out the pastry and assembling the apple roses to prevent the dough from becoming too soft. EXTRA TIP: Be patient. These puff pastry apple roses are way easier to make than you might think. A little bit of patience will go a long way. Take your time to diligently place the apple slices and roll the pastry up. You got this!
- Place the apples in the correct position. This recipe for apple dessert highly relies on the apples being placed properly in order to get that rose effect once you roll up the puffy pastry. They should be on one side on the pastry, half sticking off the edge, overlapping just a tad. The red skin side should be facing outwards so when you roll the dough, the pretals will be round and red.
- Brush with honey butter mixture. Brushing the puff pastry with a mixture of melted butter and honey not only adds flavour but it helps to caramelize the pastry as it bakes. Make sure to brush the entire surface of the pastry for maximum flavour and shine.
- Don’t be shy with the cinnamon sugar. A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar adds warmth and sweetness to the apple roses. Be generous with the cinnamon sugar mixture. It will infuse the apples with flavour and create a beautiful caramelized coating on the pastry.
- Bake the apple roses until the puff pastry is golden brown and crisp. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time to prevent over-browning. EXTRA TIP: If you notice the apples starting to brown or burn before the puff pastry is cooked, loosley place a piece of aluminum foil on top for the remainder of the baking.
- Allow the apple roses to cool slightly before dusting them with powdered sugar. This will prevent the sugar from melting and creating a sticky mess on the pastry.
- Serve warm. These apple roses are best served warm, shortly after baking. Enjoy them on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Determining the “best” dessert apple is kinda like picking your favourite flavour of ice cream—totally subjective! But if we’re talking about apples that really shine in desserts, a few varieties stand out. Take the Honeycrisp, for example. It’s super juicy, crunchy and just the right mix of sweet and tart making it perfect for things like a pie or a crisp. Then there’s the Fuji apple, sweet and crisp with a long shelf life. It’s perfect for baking up into all sorts of treats, from cakes to muffins. The tang in Granny Smith apples make them a popular choice for things like turnovers or caramel apples.
All of these apples have a firm texture that holds up during baking, making them an excellent choice for a variety of different dessert recipes! It really comes down to what you’re making with the apples and personal preference as there are tons of really great varieties to choose from.
Yes, you can roll out frozen puff pastry, but it needs to be properly thawed first for best results. Trying to roll out puff pastry while it’s still frozen can result in cracking and uneven thickness, making it difficult to work with. To thaw frozen puff pastry, you should transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight or for several hours until it’s completely thawed and pliable. Once thawed, you can roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness. Just remember to work quickly to prevent the dough from becoming too soft, and always follow the specific instructions provided on the puff pastry packaging for best results.
When rolling out puff pastry, achieving the right thickness is crucial for the success of your dish. Generally, puff pastry should be rolled to about 1/8 to 1/4 inch (3 to 6 mm) thickness. This thickness allows the pastry to puff up beautifully while baking, creating those signature flaky layers that make puff pastry so irresistible. However, it’s essential to maintain an even thickness throughout the pastry to ensure uniform baking and texture. Be sure to handle the pastry gently while rolling to prevent tearing or stretching. If it becomes too soft, chill it in the refrigerator briefly to firm it up. Adjust the thickness based on your recipe and desired outcome. But aim for a delicate balance between thin enough to puff up nicely and thick enough to maintain its structure.
PUFF PASTRY APPLE ROSES
Looking for a fun and unique recipe for apple dessert? These Puff Pastry Apple Roses are it! They're easier to make than you might think, are perfect for any occasion and are sure to impress the entire crowd!
Ingredients
- 1 sheet Puff Pastry (thawed if frozen)
- 1 medium-sized Apple (preferably red)
- 2 tbsp Butter, melted
- 2 tbsp Honey
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Sugar
- Icing Sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease or line a muffin tin.
- Make the cinnamon sugar by mixing the cinnamon and sugar together in a bowl.
- Cut the apple in half then core. Slice thinly. Place the slices in a microwave-safe bowl, add lemon juice, and microwave for 1-2 minutes until the slices are pliable.
- Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut it into 2 strips about 2 inches wide* (not shown - see notes)
- In a small bowl, mix together the honey and butter to create the glaze.
- Spread a thin layer of the honey butter on each strip of puff pastry. Arrange the apple slices along the length of one side of each strip, slightly overlapping them. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
- Fold the bottom half of the puff pastry strip over the apple slices.
- Starting from one end, carefully roll up the pastry to form a rose-shaped pastry. Place each rose in the muffin tin. Sprinkle with more cinnamon sugar.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and the apples are tender. If you notice the apples browning too quickly, loosely cover them with foil for the remainder of the baking time.
- Allow the apple roses to cool slightly before dusting with icing sugar and serving.
Notes
In the photos (step 4), I didn't cut the puff pastry in half as I wanted bigger roses. However, ideally, you would cut this rectangular piece of puff pastry in half to create two separate strips which will give you two separate roses.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 538Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 132mgCarbohydrates: 100gFiber: 3gSugar: 88gProtein: 2g
Nutrition is only an estimate and calculated using Nutritionix.
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