Baked Apple Roses Made Easy With Puff Pastry
Discover the art of creating exquisite apple roses that not only tantalize your taste buds but also captivate your eyes. With a combination of flaky puff pastry, perfectly sliced apples, and a touch of sweetness, these delightful treats are as enjoyable to make as they are to savor.
You can transform a humble sheet of puff pastry and a few basic ingredients into a stunning dessert that not only tastes delicious but also looks like a work of art. Yes, you!
Our easy recipe showcases the natural beauty of an apple’s skin as it wraps around flaky puff pastry, creating gorgeous baked apple roses. This visually captivating treat is the perfect dessert for special occasions, from family gatherings to romantic dinners. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner in the kitchen, this beautiful dessert is a delightful way to impress your guests.
Why You’ll Love These Apple Pastries
- Elegance Meets Simplicity: Impress your guests with these visually stunning apple rose pastries that are deceptively easy to make.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a special celebration or a cozy evening at home, these pastries add a touch of sophistication to any gathering.
- Kid-Friendly: Get your children involved in the kitchen. They’ll love creating these beautiful rose shapes.
- Apple Pie Lover’s Delight: If you’re a fan of classic apple pie, these apple rose pastries are sure to become your new favorite dessert. They deliver all the comforting flavors of apple pie in an elegant, bite-sized form.
Let’s dive into this step-by-step guide and discover how to create your own batch of these edible masterpieces.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2-3 red apples (I used Fuji apples)
- ½ lemon, juice
- 1 box of puff pastry sheets (2 sheets)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- powdered sugar for dusting, optional
When making baked apple roses, it’s essential to choose red apple varieties that hold their shape well and provide a balance of sweet and slightly tart flavors. Here are some excellent red apple varieties that work beautifully in this recipe:
- Fuji: Fuji apples are known for their sweet and crisp flesh. They hold their shape nicely during baking and have a pleasant, mild tartness.
- Honeycrisp: Honeycrisp apples are both sweet and slightly tart, making them a popular choice for baking. They have a juicy, crisp texture that complements the pastry.
- Gala: Gala apples are sweet with a hint of tartness. They maintain their shape and add a delightful flavor to the baked rose.
- Pink Lady (Cripps Pink): Pink Lady apples are sweet and slightly tangy, with a firm texture that holds up well in the oven.
- Braeburn: Braeburn apples offer a pleasing balance of sweet and tart. They’re firm and ideal for creating visually appealing apple roses.
- Jonagold: Jonagold apples are a bit sweeter and larger, making them an excellent choice for creating larger and more substantial baked apple roses.
Keep in mind that you can mix and match apple varieties to create a more complex flavor profile for your apple roses. The key is to choose apples that remain firm and flavorful during baking, allowing your roses to hold their shape and deliver a delightful taste.
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a muffin tray with nonstick spray. Combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Set the cinnamon sugar mixture to the side. (If you want to “spice things up,” you can use apple pie spice in place of cinnamon.)
Wash the apples, cut them in half lengthwise, and remove the core. Slice the apples thinly widthwise, keeping the open side of the apple down.
Place apple slices in a large bowl and add the juice of half a lemon. Add 1-2 teaspoons of the cinnamon sugar mixture to the apples and toss.
Brush butter onto one side of each puff pastry sheet using a pastry brush. Sprinkle the tops of the pastry sheets with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Cut each puff pastry sheet into six even strips using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife.
Place a few slices of apple along the strip of puff pastry with the bottom edge of the apple aligned with the middle of the pastry strip and fold it over so that the apple slices are in between.
Starting at the bottom part of the dough, gently roll up the apple and pastry into a rose shape and place it in the prepared muffin cup. Repeat until all 12 roses are rolled up.
Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Allow the apple roses to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top, if desired.
How to Store Apple Rose Pastries
These pastries are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for 1-2 days at room temperature. Reheat in the oven or in an air fryer for a few minutes to restore their crispness. [If using an air fryer, heat the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 2-3 minutes. If they need a bit more time, continue cooking in 1-2 minute increments until they reach your desired level of doneness.]
Can I use a different type of pastry?
Puff pastry works best for its flakiness, but you can experiment with other types. This recipe was tested with Pepperidge Farms brand puff pastry sheets.
How do I prevent the pastry from becoming soggy?
Ensure the apples are thinly sliced, so they bake through properly and don’t overload them with sugar.
Pro Tips
- Use an apple corer to remove the core and a mandolin slicer for consistent, very thin slices.
- Brush the pastry with a thin layer of preserves for a shiny finish. (Apricot jam or preserves work well.)
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and/or caramel sauce for an extra treat.
Tips on Using Pastry Dough
- Proper Thawing: Thaw the puff pastry dough according to the package instructions before you start. If the dough is too cold, it may crack and become challenging to work with. Room-temperature pastry is more pliable and easier to shape.
- Work Quickly: Puff pastry can become sticky and soft as it warms up, so work efficiently. Once you’ve rolled it out, it’s a good idea to place it in the fridge for a short while to firm it up before adding the apple slices.
- Flour as Needed: Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to prevent the dough from sticking. Be cautious not to use too much flour, as it can affect the flakiness of the pastry.
- Even Slices: Ensure your apple slices are uniformly thin. A mandolin slicer can be a handy tool for achieving consistent slices, and it minimizes the risk of overloading the pastry.
- Brushing with Butter: When brushing the pastry strips with melted butter, do so gently to avoid tearing or stretching the dough.
- Don’t Overcrowd: As you layer the apple slices, avoid overcrowding the pastry strips. This ensures even baking and that the apples cook through properly.
- Fold and Roll Carefully: When folding and rolling the pastry strips to create the rose shape, do it gently to prevent tearing. A little care during this step goes a long way.
By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll master the art of working with pastry dough and create beautifully flaky and flavorful apple rose pastries every time.
Baked Apple Roses
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2-3 red apples
- lemon juice from 1/2 lemon
- 2 sheets puff pastry
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a muffin tray with nonstick spray. Combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Set the cinnamon sugar mixture to the side.
- Wash the apples, cut them in half lengthwise, and remove the core. Slice the apples thinly widthwise, keeping the open side of the apple down.
- Place apple slices in a large bowl and add the juice of half a lemon. Add 1-2 teaspoons of the cinnamon sugar mixture to the apples and toss.
- Brush butter onto one side of each puff pastry sheet using a pastry brush. Sprinkle the tops of the pastry sheets with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Cut each puff pastry sheet into six even strips using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife.
- Place a few slices of apple along the strip of puff pastry with the bottom edge of the apple aligned with the middle of the pastry strip and fold it over so that the apple slices are in between.
- Starting at the bottom part of the dough, gently roll up the apple and pastry into a rose shape and place it in the prepared muffin cup. Repeat until all 12 roses are rolled up.
- Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Allow the apple roses to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
