Apple Puff Pastry Roses
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Looking for a simple yet elegant dessert? These Apple Puff Pastry Roses check all the boxes. They’re easy to prepare, use everyday ingredients, and bake up into golden, flaky pastries with delicate apple “petals.” You’ll find them ideal for holiday gatherings or a cozy afternoon at home.
If you need a quick fall dessert, these Apple Puff Pastry Roses are just the thing. With only a handful of simple ingredients, you can have something beautiful and delicious ready in no time.
Around here, we’re big fans of frozen puff pastry. It’s one of those shortcuts that never disappoints and makes both desserts and appetizers a breeze. Today we’re using it again to create these Apple Puff Pastry Roses. They’re simple to make, lovely to look at, and they taste even better than they appear.
They might look like something from a fancy pastry shop (ooh la la), but I promise they’re totally doable at home. If you can slice apples and roll dough, you can pull these off. The result is a treat that’s sweet, cozy, and almost too pretty to eat.
While they’re perfect for fall, you can make these any time of year. Apples and puff pastry are always in season, right? Enjoy them just as they are with a cup of tea, or dress them up with a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of salted caramel sauce. Either way, they’re going to be a hit.
Why You’ll Enjoy This Recipe
- It looks impressive but is surprisingly simple. These Apple Puff Pastry Roses look like something straight from a bakery case, but they come together with just a few basic ingredients. If you can slice apples and roll up pastry, you can master this dessert.
- It uses everyday, convenient ingredients. With frozen puff pastry, a couple of apples, and a bit of jam, you can whip these up without a special trip to the store.
- It’s versatile and fun to serve. These are lovely for a casual afternoon snack with tea, but also shine as a dinner party dessert topped with ice cream and caramel. No matter the occasion, they’ll bring a little wow factor to the table.
Love apple-based desserts and looking for more? You’ve got it. Check out this collection of all my favorite apple dessert recipes.
Ingredients
Before I can walk you through the recipe for this unique dessert, we’ll need to gather all the necessary ingredients.
- Apples – Thinly sliced apples create the rose “petals.” A red-skinned variety such as Honeycrisp or Gala adds a pop of color and a naturally sweet flavor.
- Lemon Juice – A quick soak with lemon juice helps keep the apples from browning and softens them just enough to bend without breaking.
- Water – Used when microwaving the apples to gently steam and make them pliable for rolling.
- Puff Pastry – Frozen puff pastry sheets are the shortcut to flaky, buttery layers without the fuss of making pastry from scratch.
- Apricot Jam – A light layer of jam adds sweetness, shine, and helps hold the apples in place as you roll them up.
- Cinnamon Sugar – A cozy finishing touch that gives the pastries warmth and just the right amount of sweetness. (To make your own, combine one cup of sugar with one tablespoon of cinnamon. Mix to combine.)
- Muffin Liners – You can find the muffin tin liners I used here.
How To Make
And with all of our ingredients assembled, I think we’re ready to make these Apple Puff Pastry Roses. I’ll walk you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin tin with paper liners. Set aside.
- Core and thinly slice the apples. Place them in a microwave-safe bowl with the lemon juice and 1 cup of water. Microwave for about two minutes until the slices are just tender and pliable. Drain well and let them cool slightly.
- Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to smooth any creases. Cut the sheet into six long strips.
- Warm the apricot jam slightly (10–15 seconds in the microwave works well) to make it easier to spread. Brush a thin layer of jam over each strip of puff pastry.
- Lay the apple slices along the top half of each strip, overlapping slightly with the rounded skin edges peeking above the pastry.
- Starting at one end, roll the strip up into a spiral to form a rose shape. Place each roll a the paper-lined muffin cup.
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- Sprinkle the tops with cinnamon sugar.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and cooked through. If the apple edges start to brown too quickly, tent the pan loosely with foil during the last 10 minutes.
- Let the pastries cool in the tin for about five minutes before carefully removing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of apples work best for this recipe?
Red-skinned apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji are great because they add a pretty blush of color and hold their shape while baking. Softer apples, such as McIntosh, can turn mushy, so it’s best to stick with firm varieties.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the roses a few hours in advance, cover them loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. For the best texture, bake them fresh the same day you plan to serve them.
Do I need to peel the apples first?
No peeling is required. The skin not only adds color to create the rose-petal look but also helps the slices hold together as they bake. Plus, it saves you time in preparation.
Can I use a different type of jam?
Absolutely. Apricot is traditional for its mild sweetness and pretty glaze, but peach, apple, or even raspberry jam can be used for a different flavor and color. Just be sure it’s a smooth jam without big chunks of fruit.
More Puff Pastry Recipes You’ll Love
- Homemade Apple Strudel
- Strawberry Strudels
- Mixed Berry Fruit Pizzas
- Goat Cheese and Asparagus Tart
- Easy Cream Cheese Danish
- Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Whether you enjoy these Apple Puff Pastry Roses as an afternoon treat with a cup of tea or dress them up with ice cream and caramel sauce for dessert, I know you’re going to love them. After you finish enjoying them, I’d sure love to know what you think. Please stop back and leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.
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Apple Puff Pastry Roses
Ingredients
- 2 medium apples red-skinned varieties like Honeycrisp or Gala work well for color and flavor
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup water
- 1 frozen puff pastry sheet thawed
- 1/4 cup apricot jam
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon sugar**
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin tin with paper liners*. Set aside.
- Core and thinly slice the apples. Place them in a microwave-safe bowl with the lemon juice and 1 cup of water. Microwave for about two minutes until the slices are just tender and pliable. Drain well and let them cool slightly.
- Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to smooth any creases. Cut the sheet into six long strips.
- Warm the apricot jam slightly (10–15 seconds in the microwave works well) to make it easier to spread. Brush a thin layer of jam over each strip of puff pastry.
- Lay the apple slices along the top half of each strip, overlapping slightly with the rounded skin edges peeking above the pastry.
- Starting at one end, roll the strip up into a spiral to form a rose shape. Place each roll into a paper-lined muffin cup.
- Sprinkle the tops with cinnamon sugar.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and cooked through. If the apple edges start to brown too quickly, tent the pan loosely with foil during the last 10 minutes.
- Let the pastries cool in the tin for about five minutes before carefully removing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
These were so easy to make. Delicious too! I served them with ice cream.
How do you get paper liners to look like yours? Can’t wait to try this. Thank you!
Oops! I should have added that to the post. You can find them here: https://amzn.to/4q9SSBp
xo Michael