Puff pastry apple roses are so easy to make but have that "wow factor" that will impress your guests. Tender apples are baked with fragrant cinnamon sugar in a crispy puff pastry shell for a simple yet gorgeous dessert.
When cooking, the taste is the overriding factor that determines if I will make a recipe. While the presentation is important, the combination of flavors is typically what draws me to certain foods. With puff pastry apple roses, I get the best of both worlds. They taste and smell incredible but also look beautiful on the plate.
For such a stunning dessert, apple roses made with puff pastry are surprisingly simple to put together. They are perfect for serving at parties, gatherings, or special occasions. The delicate layers of golden pastry and the elegant arrangement of thinly sliced apples create a beautiful presentation.
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Ingredients
- Puff Pastry Dough – Look for puff pastry dough in the freezer section of your grocery store. You will need one box which usually contains two sheets.
- Apples – Select your favorite kind of apples.
- Lemon – Use the juice from half of a lemon. This will help prevent the apples from "rusting." You can substitute bottled lemon juice if you prefer.
- Sugar – Use white sugar or substitute light brown sugar for a deeper flavor and darker color.
- Butter – Use salted butter or unsalted butter. Melt and cool slightly.
- Cinnamon – Select Ceylon or Saigon cinnamon when available.
- Powdered Sugar – for garnish.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Apple Roses with Puff Pastry
- Wash, core and thinly slice the apples.
2. Place the slices of apple in a bowl and toss with lemon juice. Then add 1-2 tablespoons of sugar and a pinch or two of cinnamon. Toss to combine.
3. Combine the remaining cinnamon and sugar. Brush both thawed puff pastry sheets with melted butter and sprinkle each with half of the cinnamon sugar mixture. Slice each puff pastry sheet into 6 strips.
4. Place apple along one edge of the puff pastry then fold the pastry over the apples so the rounded edges are sticking out.
5. Start at one end and gently roll the puff pastry to form a rose.
6. Place each puff pasty apple rose into the wells of the well greased muffin cups. Bake the muffin tin in a preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until golden in color and the apples are tender. Cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar and serving.
Hint: Large apples cut into very thin slices work better than small apples.
Variations
- Use Different Fruit – Prepare the recipe using slices pears, peaches, or nectarines.
- Add Jam – In addition to using cinnamon sugar, brush the tops with apricot jam, a think layer of preserves or apple butter for a burst of flavor and glossy finish.
- Pie Crust – Instead of pastry dough use strips of pie crust.
- Spices – Instead of cinnamon use pumpkin pie spice. You could also add nutmeg or ground ginger to enhance the flavor.
Storage/ Leftovers
Apple roses can be served warm or at room temperature and are best enjoyed the same day they are prepared.
When storing, allow them to cool completely to prevent moisture. Transfer the cooled apple roses with puff pastry to an airtight container or a plate covered tightly with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat the apple roses in a 300 degree F oven for 10 minutes to warm and crisp the pastry.
Freezing puff pastry roses is not recommended as freezing and thawing can negatively affect the textures causing the dessert to become soggy and mushy.
Cooking and Baking Tips
- While you can use any kind of apple, firm apples that are slightly tart hold their shape well during baking. Softer apples may become mushy and lose their texture.
- Slice the apples to about ⅛ inch thick, for easier rolling and even cooking. Thin, even slices are essential. Use a sharp knife or a mandoline.
- If you have trouble rolling the apple roses, you can microwave the apple slices in 20-second increments until they are slightly softened. Don't overheat or they will become mushy.
- Preheat your oven.
- Select a good-quality puff pastry or make your own puff pastry recipe from scratch.
- Thaw frozen puff pastry according to the package directions.
- Roll the puff pastry into a rectangle shape on a lightly floured surface using a rolling pin and slice it into strips using a pizza cutter.
- After rolling the pastry strips with the apple slices, seal the ends firmly to prevent the roses from unraveling during baking.
- While working, keep the puff pastry chilled until just before you assemble the roses. If the pastry becomes too warm or soft, it can be challenging to handle and may not rise as well during baking.
- Make sure the muffin cups are well greased so they do not stick. Loosen them with a plastic knife or spatula after they are cooked to remove them.
- Pop the assembled tray into the fridge for 20-30 minutes before baking to ensure that the puff pastry is properly chilled.
- Prep these up to 8 hours in advance, cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until ready to bake.
- If the puff pastry is browning too quickly, you can tent them with aluminum foil.
- Serve warm or at room temperature the same day they are prepared.
- Add a scoop of ice cream and caramel sauce for an extra treat.
Serving Suggestions
The wow factor of these beautiful apple roses makes them the perfect dessert for brunch, a party or a dessert buffet. They taste great at room temperature so you can lay them out in advance while you mingle with guests. I especially love these during the holidays. They are a special treat to make for mom on Mother's day or Valentine's day.
Apple roses are also a great anytime dessert. Serve them with a cup of tea or coffee. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for a real treat.
If you love puff pastry as much as I do you will also want to try this sweet Strawberry Ricotta Tart or this savory Ricotta Tomato Tart.
FAQ
You can freeze apple roses but I find the results to be less than desirable as the pastry often becomes soggy. If you want to give it a try, cool the roses completely, wrap and freeze them. Thaw on the counter for 2 hours and reheat in a 300 degrees F oven until warmed through.
Yes! You can make homemade puff pastry for apple roses. After preparing the puff pastry dough, chill and then prepare the recipe as directed.
More Apple Dessert Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
- Easy Rustic Cinnamon Apple Tart Recipe
- Mini Caramel Apple Pies
- Apple Galette with Ricotta and Almonds - Easy Puff Pastry Dessert!
If you like this apple roses recipe, please leave a 5-star rating.
RECIPE
Puff Pastry Apple Roses
Ingredients
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry dough (1 box)
- 3 large apples
- ½ lemon juiced
- ¼ cup fine sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- optional powdered sugar (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Prep muffin tin by greasing or spraying with nonstick baking spary. Cut the apples in half lengthwise, then remove cores. Slice the apples thinly widthwise, keeping the openside of the apple down.
- Put the thinly sliced apples in a bowl and add lemon juice. Add 1-2 teaspoons of sugar and a small pinch of cinnamon to the apples and mix until well combined. Set aside the remaining sugar and cinnamon in a bowl and mix together.
- Melt the butter and brush it onto one side of each puff pastry sheet. Spread half the cinnamon sugar on each buttered puff pastry side. Cut each puff pastry sheet into six even strips.
- Place a few slices of apple along the strip of puff pastry and fold it over so that the apple slices are in between. Gently roll up the apple and pastry into a rose shape and place it in the prepared muffin tray. Repeat until all 12 roses are rolled up.
- Bake in the oven for 30 minutes, or until edges are golden brown, apples are tender and the inside is cooked. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
- The lemon juice and apples should be slightly wilted to make them bendable and easy to work with. You can also microwave them for 30 seconds to make more pliable.
- Large apples work well and are easier to work with than small ones.
- Use a pizza cutter for easy slicing when cutting the pastry dough.
- Make sure pastry dough is fully cooked. If edges start to get browned early, cover loosely with a sheet of aluminun foil so the pastries do not burn.
- Cool in pan for 10 minutes before serving. Use a knife or thin spatula if necessary to remove from the pan.
Nutrition
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Elizabeth
Oh wow! These are so simple to make but turn out looking so elegant and complicated. Sure to impress! Looking forward to making these for the next ladies' shower or gathering that I attend!
dina and bruce miller
This recipe makes me so happy! Saving this to bake as soon as our kitchen remodel is finished! This mom will LOVE THESE!
Angela
Absolutely the cutest idea ever! And so delicious too! This will be perfect to make with my girls for Mother's Day 🙂
Kushigalu
These apple roses look so beautiful. Thanks for the recipe.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
I was looking for a recipe like this, thank you for sharing! I can't wait to try it soon!
Jenny
Hi, the apple rose puffs are absolutely stunning. I tried the recipe but I found that my apple rose puffs were only golden brown and puffed outside and the inside got transparent which I assumed it’s cooked but not puffed and it’s not crispy in the middle either. Only the outside puffs were golden brown, puffed and crispy. May I ask whether it’s like that or my puffs were undercooked inside or it didn’t work well with my baking? Thank you.
lisa
My roses definitley come a bit softer in the middle, kind of like a strudel would but should be cooked through. It does also vary a bit depending on the oven so next time you might want to cook them longer. Also see my notes about covering with aluminum foil as you can bake them longer but the outsides will not get burnt.
Julie Gamwell
I had trouble getting the pastry out of the pan. You said prepared cupcake pan. I sprayed with Pam. Anything else? Jgamwell@q.com
lisa
Try butter or crisco next time and make sure they are greased well. Also you can use a plastic knife or spatula to loosen them before removing them from the tins.
Good luck! Lisa
Teresa J Copeland
I've made these puffed apples before and absolutely love them. They were a hit at my mom's church group. Three dozen wasn't enough for 5 people. Lol they wanted more