Description
Delight in the charming and elegant Apple Rose Pastry Blooms, featuring thinly sliced apples wrapped in golden puff pastry with a touch of apricot preserves and cinnamon. These visually stunning desserts are perfect for special occasions or a sweet treat, combining tender, fragrant apples with flaky, buttery pastry in a beautifully baked rose shape.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 2 large red apples (Honeycrisp or Gala work well)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cups water
Puff Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
Preserves and Flavoring
- 2 tablespoons apricot preserves
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Finishing
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Flour for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare Apples: Slice the apples in half and carefully remove the core and seeds. Then, cut them into very thin, half-moon shaped slices to create flexible pieces that will bend nicely.
- Soften Apples: Combine lemon juice and water in a microwave-safe bowl and submerge the apple slices. Microwave the mixture for about 3 minutes to soften the apples, making them pliable enough to shape without breaking.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Roll out the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to prevent sticking. Cut the pastry sheet into 6 even strips to form the base for the rose shapes.
- Make Apricot Glaze: Mix apricot preserves with a teaspoon of water in a small bowl. Microwave for about 30 seconds to soften the preserves and make the glaze easier to spread.
- Brush Pastry Strips: Spread the apricot glaze evenly over each strip of puff pastry to impart sweetness and help hold the apple slices in place.
- Arrange Apple Slices: Lay the softened apple slices along the top half of each pastry strip, overlapping slightly. Ensure the skin side sticks out just above the pastry to highlight the rose petal effect.
- Add Cinnamon: Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon over the apple slices to enhance flavor and add warmth to the pastry blooms.
- Fold and Roll: Fold the bottom half of each pastry strip over the apples. Carefully roll up each strip from one end to the other, forming a rose shape with the apple slices exposed at the top.
- Place in Muffin Tin: Position each rolled apple rose in a greased muffin tin cup. This will help maintain their delicate shape during baking.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the apple rose pastries for 40-45 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and fully cooked, with the apples tender but not mushy.
- Cool and Dust: Let the pastries cool slightly after baking. Dust the finished apple rose pastries with powdered sugar for an elegant and sweet finishing touch before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh, firm apples like Honeycrisp or Gala to prevent the slices from becoming too soft during baking.
- Ensure the apple slices are very thin to allow bending without breaking.
- Thaw puff pastry completely before rolling for easier handling.
- Grease the muffin tin well to prevent the pastry from sticking.
- These pastries are best served warm but can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- For a vegan option, use plant-based puff pastry and apricot preserves.
