Apple Roses with Puff Pastry

If you have been looking for an elegant treat to add to your dessert table, these easy apple roses with puff pastry are just what you have been looking for! Made with fresh apples, cinnamon, sugar, and a light and flaky puff pastry crust, this dessert isn’t just eye-catching but mouthwateringly delicious. Serve them for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or any occasion you want to impress your guests!

Jump to:

• 🌟 Why this is the best recipe
• 📝 Ingredient notes
• 👩‍🍳 How to make this recipe
• 🎓 Storage and Freezing
• ✨ Flavor variations & substitutions
• 🎓 Expert tips
• 🥣 Equipment Notes
• ❓Recipe FAQs
• 🥧 More Puff Pastry Recipes
• Apple Roses with Puff Pastry

🌟 Why this is the best recipe

1. It is the most delicious - This rose pastry recipe uses fresh, crisp apples sprinkled with a sweet cinnamon-sugar coating (versus apricot jam like many other recipes) to give it the best texture and apple cinnamon flavor.
2. It is easy to make - This super simple puff pastry apple rose recipe does not require any unique ingredients or equipment. The most difficult part of this recipe is keeping the dough cold (which I will talk more about later)!
3. It does not take much effort - This recipe only takes 15 minutes to prepare, and the rest of the time is spent waiting for it to come out of the oven. In just an hour, you will have delicious apple roses to serve to your family and friends!
4. It is the most detailed recipe - Unlike some recipes that speed through each step, this recipe shows you how to make apple roses with puff pastry while breaking down the science behind the baking process, ensuring you get the most delicious, bakery-style results.
5. It is versatile - These baked apple roses with puff pastry can be easily customized with different fillings and toppings to satisfy your taste. See the Flavor Variations and Substitutions section for more ideas!

📝 Ingredient notes

1. Puff Pastry - You can use store-bought puff pastry (such as Pepperidge Farm puff pastry, a popular brand) or my homemade rough puff pastry.
2. Apples - Although you can use any variety of apples for this recipe, I recommend using Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp for their firm and crisp texture. Softer apples tend to fall apart while cooking.
3. Water - When combined with the lemon juice, water creates a solution that helps prevent the apples from browning.
4. Lemon Juice - The lemon juice helps prevent the apples from browning as well as balance the sweetness of the recipe. For the best results, use freshly squeezed lemon juice.
5. Sugar - Plain white granulated sugar will help sweeten the roses. To learn more about the different types of sugar and how to use them in baking, please read my sugar guide.
6. Cinnamon - Cinnamon is a delicious complement to any apple dessert. It enhances the flavor and gives it a touch of spice!

🛒 You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the Recipe Card at the bottom of this post

👩‍🍳 How to make this recipe

1. Step-by-step process of apple roses

1. If using frozen puff pastry sheets, take them out of the freezer to thaw. Make sure that they remain cold.
2. In a small bowl, combine the water and the lemon juice.
3. Cut the apples in half with the skin still attached. Then, remove the cores and cut the apple halves into very thin slices. Once cut, place them in the bowl with the water and lemon juice solution.
4. Place the bowl with the apple slices in the microwave for approximately five minutes, until they become soft and flexible. Do not overcook! Next, remove them from the bowl one at a time. Use a paper towel to soak up the excess water.
5. In another small bowl, mix the cinnamon and granulated sugar.
6. Preheat the oven to 190C / 370F. Do not use a fan.
7. Next, lightly grease each cavity of the muffin pan.
8. Unfold one of the puff pastry sheets and cut it lengthwise into six strips.
9. Place the "dried" apple slices on the pastry, overlapping as shown in the photo. Make sure that you place the skin of the slices a little out of the strip. Sprinkle the top of the apples with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
10. Fold the pastry in half, covering the apples.
11. Starting on one end, roll each pastry with the apples to the opposite end. Place each rolled apple puff pastry into the muffin tin.
12. Follow 8-11 steps with the second puff pastry sheet.
13. Bake for approximately 45 minutes. After 15 minutes, cover the apple roses with foil to keep them from browning too much.
14. Remove the baked apple roses from the oven and let them slightly cool for three minutes while still in the tray. Then, move them to a cooling rack to continue cooling before serving.
15. Serve fresh, and enjoy!

💡 Top Tip: Cold puff pastry dough is important for the ease of working with the dough. If at any point the dough becomes too warm and sticky to manage, place it in the freezer or refrigerator for a few minutes to chill. Never force the pastry if it starts to get too warm.

🎓 Storage and Freezing

How to store?

Apple roses with puff pastry are best when served fresh and warm. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them at room temperature in an airtight container for 2-3 days. To reheat, place it in a preheated oven for 5-10 minutes or in the microwave for 15-20 seconds until heated through.

How to freeze?

Once completely cooled, wrap each rose well in plastic wrap and then place them in the freezer for up to two months. However, keep in mind that freezing puff pastry can affect the texture and may cause it to become soggy when thawed.

✨ Flavor variations & substitutions

With different fruit - Instead of apple filling, try this recipe with other sliced fruit, such as pears or peaches. You can also use fruit preserves. Try it with strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, or raspberry preserves! You can also brush the puff pastry apple roses with apricot jam or apple butter before baking, as seen in other apple rose recipes.

Using different fillings - Skip the fruit filling and try your puff pastry apple roses with Nutella or my creamy homemade caramel filling to make sweet caramel apple roses.

With different spices - Swap out the cinnamon for other warm spices such as nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, pumpkin pie spice, or ground cloves.

With toppings - Add a delicious finishing touch to your apple roses with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce.

🎓 Expert tips

1. Working with the puff pastry rather quickly is crucial to prevent it from getting too warm and sticky. 
2. Make sure to cut the apple slices into identical-sized pieces so that they cook evenly. Cutting the slices thin enough to be flexible enough to roll into the puff pastry is extremely important.
3. Since the apples make the puff pastry wet, it may be necessary to increase the baking time a bit. To decrease some of its moisture, it is crucial to soak the excess juice from the apples with a paper towel before baking.
4. When baking, be sure to check the bottom of the pastry to ensure that it is well-baked and a golden brown color.

🥣 Equipment Notes

To ensure the most accurate measurements and consistent results, use a digital scale to measure the ingredients. A digital oven thermometer is a helpful tool to ensure the correct oven temperature, as some oven models can vary by a degree or two.

❓Recipe FAQs

🥧 More Puff Pastry Recipes