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This apple roses pastry is the perfect blend of deliciousness, and the appearance of these delightful puff pastry roses is a true luxury for any party with friends or co-workers. The rose even makes them very romantic, perfect dessert for a date night, valentine’s day or even mother’s day!

One of my favorite things about this apple roses pastry is it is SO easy to make with just a few ingredients you most likely already have. The best part is, it will look like it came straight out of a café or right out of a swanky restaurant. Get your camera ready cause this pastry is worth posting on the gram!

Can you believe we are already three months into the springtime? I looked outside yesterday and saw my apple tree has already produced fruit! As someone who loves making desserts, I could hardly resist getting my recipe book out and searching for the perfect apple desserts for the spring season. Traditional recipes like apple pie, and apple crisp seem more like fall desserts to me so I decided to give these stunning apple roses a try for a delicious, easy peasy spring dessert! They will be a hit at absolutely any gathering, and are so simple to make, trust me on this!

How to make apple roses pastry

Ingredients needed

This simple recipe requires just a handful of simple ingredients:

Fresh apples – preferably pink lady or red delicious, for a nice contrast in color
Sugar – for a touch of sweetness. Brown sugar is best as it will add a deeper, caramel-like flavor.
Lemon juice – to prevent the apples from browning and also for giving this dessert a tangy flavor.
Ground cinnamon– for a warm and cozy flavor.
Puff pastries sheets – store-bought or homemade, either works just fine.
Icing sugar – to dust the apple roses once baked

Equipment

Muffin tin – to shape and bake the pastry into a rose-like form.
Rolling pin – for rolling out the puff pastry.
Sharp knife – for slicing apples thinly and precisely.
Pastry wheel – for cutting the puff pastry into strips.
Baking paper – to line the muffin pan

Instructions to make the apple roses pastry

How to cut an apple like a rose

First things first, I greased my trusty muffin pan with butter and preheated the oven to 390 degrees. Then, after grabbing a couple of juicy pink lady apples, I began slicing them up into thin slices. I’ve seen them done thicker in magazines, but I think they are easier to mold when they are sliced thin. These are going to be the base of my apple-shaped rose.

After slicing my apples into even slices, I placed the apple slices in a bowl with lemon juice and covered them with water. I microwaved these slices for about 3 minutes until they were slightly softened. I would highly recommend heating them in the microwave. The softer the apples are, the easier they will be to work with when you create the rose.

How to Prepare the Puff Pastry

Time for the puff pastry strips! You can buy the puff pre-rolled, but you need to make sure the puff pastry is not too thick so it will cook all the way through. The pastry will need to be thawed properly but don’t keep it at room temperature for too long. Thaw in the fridge for a few hours then keep on the counter for up to half an hour before using.

After lightly flowering my kitchen counter, I rolled out the puff pastry as thin as possible while maintaining a rectangular shape. Then I trimmed the pastry into strips.

How to assemble an Apple rose

Once you have sliced your apples and prepared your pastry, it’s time to bring it all together and create the Apple Roses pastry.

I placed the apple slices on the rolled out puff pastry. The slices should be placed about halfway down and overlap just like a rose. I decided to sprinkle the apples with a dash of cinnamon and brown sugar to bring out the flavor. Powdered sugar is another great addition to these Apple Puff Pastries!

After you are done placing the apples on the dough, then fold up the puff pastry and gently roll it up. When I say gentle, I mean seriously be careful not to roll them too tight or the pastry will break. If this happens just use your fingers to pinch the pastry back together.

Once your apples are rolled up, it’s time to bake them to a crispy finish! I put them into the muffin pan lined with baking paper and baked them until the pastry puff appeared thoroughly brown. It takes about 20-30 minutes.

If you have any apple juice leftover, don’t hesitate to glaze it on top to bring out even more flavor for a low-calorie topping. Another idea is using a caramel sauce as a glaze. Ice cream also tastes ah-mazing if you want to contrast cool with warm.

Tips

You can use any type of apple however I prefer red apples for their vibrant color.
You can use a mandolin to create paper-thin slices of apple quickly and easily.
Don’t overcook the apples in the microwave, they just need to be slightly softened so they are easy to fold.
Make sure your puff pastry dough is rolled out thin and not too thick, otherwise it won’t cook all the way through.
Be gentle when rolling up the apple roses to avoid breaking the puff pastry.
If you don’t have muffin tins, you can use a small baking dish or cupcake liners instead. Just make sure the puff pastry has enough room to rise.

Recipe variations

For a sweeter version, you can sprinkle some extra sugar or drizzle honey on top before baking.
Add a layer of cream cheese on the puff pastry before placing the apple slices for a creamy twist.
Use different spices like ground nutmeg or ginger for a unique flavor profile.

Serving suggestions

These apple roses are absolutely divine on their own, but you can also serve them with a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce. They also pair well with a dollop of whipped cream or cream cheese frosting as well as drinks such watermelon margaritas or this non alcoholic Bahama mama smoothie, making them a perfect treat for afternoon tea parties or brunch gatherings.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make these apple roses ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the apples and puff pastry ahead of time and assemble them when ready to bake.

Can I use a different type of pastry?

Yes, you can use any type of puff pastry or even pie crust if you prefer. Just make sure it is rolled out thin enough and baked until golden brown.

Are these apple roses suitable for special dietary restrictions?

These apple roses can easily be made vegan by using a dairy-free puff pastry. For a gluten-free option, you can use a gluten-free puff pastry.

Storage and reheating

Store leftover apple pastries in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can reheat them in the oven or microwave before serving.

I’ve had great results freezing my apple roses pastry. Cool the roses first. Then store them in an airtight container or place neatly in a zip bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to serve them, keep on the counter for a couple of hours then reheat lightly in the oven or the microwave.

More apple recipes you will love:

Have you tried making this apple roses pastry? What are your favorite toppings, and sides to go with it? I’d love to hear about your experience making this sweet and simple recipe! So feel free to drop your comments below.

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