Description
This Apple Roses recipe features beautiful, delicate pastries that resemble blooming roses made from thinly sliced apples and puff pastry, sweetened with cinnamon, brown sugar, and apricot jam. Perfect as a stunning dessert or a special brunch treat, these roses combine a buttery, flaky crust with tender, cinnamon-infused apple slices, finished with a glossy jam glaze for an elegant touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit and Flavorings
- 3 Apples (any kind, preferably with red skin)
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons Light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Jam (apricot preferred, or any kind; can substitute for egg wash)
Dough
- 1 roll Puff pastry
Instructions
- Thaw Puff Pastry: Thaw the puff pastry fully in the refrigerator before beginning to ensure it is pliable and easy to roll out.
- Prepare Lemon Water and Spice Mix: In a medium bowl, pour lemon juice into a cup of cold water to create a soak for the apple slices, preventing browning. In a separate small bowl, mix the brown sugar and ground cinnamon together. Spray a muffin pan with non-stick spray to prepare for baking.
- Slice Apples Thinly: Core the apples and cut each in half lengthwise. Place each half flat side down on a chopping board and slice very thinly from bottom to top, using a knife or mandolin for uniformity.
- Soak Apple Slices: Immediately place the thin apple slices into the lemon water mixture to keep them from browning. Set aside while preparing the dough.
- Roll and Cut Puff Pastry: Unfold the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Roll it out to increase its size by about one inch in every direction. Cut the sheet into 6 even strips and arrange them spaced slightly apart.
- Apply Jam and Cinnamon Sugar: Loosen the jam by mixing it with a splash of hot water. Use a pastry brush to coat each pastry strip with a thin layer of the jam. Then sprinkle each strip generously with the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture.
- Soften Apple Slices: Microwave the bowl of apple slices for 2 minutes to soften them for easier rolling. Drain excess water and let cool slightly so the apples remain pliable but not cold.
- Arrange Apples on Pastry Strips: Place the apple slices along the top edge of each puff pastry strip so they protrude slightly over the edge, overlapping each slice halfway over the previous one. Work strip by strip to keep the arrangement neat.
- Fold Pastry Over Apples: Fold the bottom edge of the puff pastry strip up to cover the bases of the apple slices, tucking them in gently.
- Roll Into Roses: Brush the top of the strip with a bit more jam to help seal, then carefully and tightly roll the strip starting from one end to the other, forming a rose shape.
- Place Roses Into Muffin Pan: Set each rolled apple rose into a cavity of the prepared muffin pan. Repeat with all strips.
- Chill and Preheat Oven: Refrigerate the assembled roses while preheating the oven to 400°F (200°C / 180°C fan-assisted).
- Bake the Roses: Bake the roses on the middle rack for 40-45 minutes until the puff pastry is golden brown. If apples brown too quickly, tent loosely with foil, though some charring adds character.
- Cool and Remove From Pan: Remove from oven and, if needed, run a sharp knife around the edge of each cavity to loosen the roses. Transfer them to a cooling rack to prevent sogginess.
- Optional Glaze: For a shiny finish, warm a little more jam in the microwave and brush it on top of the apples once cooled slightly.
Notes
- You may need more apples depending on how thick you slice them and their size.
- Puff pastry typically comes in packs of two rolls; this recipe uses one roll for 6 roses but can be doubled for 12.
- See accompanying step-by-step photos for visual guidance on assembling the apple roses.
Keywords: Apple Roses, Puff Pastry Dessert, Cinnamon Apple Pastry, Apricot Jam Pastry, Elegant Apple Dessert, Fall Dessert, Puff Pastry Recipe