These stunning Apple Roses are one of the easiest desserts (watch the video tutorial), but they look so fancy and festive. Bite through layers of tender cinnamon apples and crisp, flaky puff pastry – it’s irresistible! You can even make them ahead of time for your holiday parties.
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Apple Roses Video
These apple roses were popular years ago and I thought it was a brilliant idea. I add layers of cinnamon sugar and apricot preserves to create a slightly saucy apple filling that’s so, so good!
Easy Apple Roses
Apple roses taste just like my fan-favorite Dutch Apple Pie, with the perfect amount of cinnamon flavor wrapped in flaky pastry dough, thinly sliced apples, and a hint of fruit preserves. The first time I made these, my daughter loved them so much, she requested I make another batch so she could take them to her teachers – she’s such a thoughtful girl!
I love using pre-made puff pastry for easy desserts like my Peach Tartlets, Elephant Ears, and Apple Turnovers. That’s exactly why I like to keep a package of frozen puff pastry stocked in my freezer. The one I buy thaws in just 40 minutes, so you don’t have to plan very far ahead before you can enjoy biting into one of these crisp apple roses.
Ingredients for Apple Rose Pastries
This Apple Roses recipe is a great way to showcase in-season apple flavors, whether tart or sweet. Once you’ve chosen apples, all you’ll need is frozen puff pastry and a few more pantry staples.
- Puff Pastry – Use the pastry while it’s cool, since it’s easier to handle. Thaw according to package instructions.
- Apples – red apples are classic for apple roses since they mimic the red color, but you can use any sweet-tart apple, such as honeycrisp, pink lady, Fuji, Gala, etc. For more tart varieties, such as Granny Smith, add a bit more sugar.
- Preserves – punch up the flavor with a few Tbsp of Apricot Preserves or apple jelly.
- Pantry staples – sugar, cinnamon, flour, lemon, unsalted butter
Substitutions
- Fruit – Instead of apples, try pears or stone fruit like peaches, nectarines or plums.
- Jam or Spread – any smooth fruit jam or jelly works: apricot, peach, plum, raspberry or strawberry, or orange marmalade.
- Pastry – puff pastry is easiest, but you can try pie dough or crescent roll dough for a different texture.
- Spices – try pumpkin pie spice, or drizzle with Caramel Sauce for another layer of flavor.
How to Make Apple Roses
Recruit a few extra hands, and your apple roses will be ready in no time!
- Prep – Preheat the oven to 375°F, grease the 12-count muffin pan, and stir together the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Slice apples – core and thinly slice the apples, and place them into a microwave-safe bowl. Fill the bowl with water to cover the apples, add lemon juice, and then microwave for 3 minutes to make them pliable. Drain and dry with a paper towel.
- Prepare pastry strips – flour a clean work surface, and then lay the puff pastry out flat, rolling until it’s 1/8″ thick. Cut into 6 strips (try using a pizza cutter).
- Add Filling – brush the strips with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Line the apple slices slightly overlapping along the top of the pastry. Part of the apple will be above the pastry.
- Fold the bottom of the pastry over the apples, and then roll it into a rose.
- Finish and Bake – Put each roll into the muffin tin, and then brush with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake at 375°F for 40 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes, dust with powdered sugar, and serve warm, or cool completely and store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 days.
Natasha’s Pro Baking Tip:
If the Apple Roses are browning too much, use a piece of foil to tent the muffin tin. This will protect them from direct heat, allowing the dessert to bake before burning.
- Finish – cool for 10 minutes, dust with powdered sugar, and serve warm, or cool completely and store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 days.
Did You Know?
Your baking pan can affect the baking time. I used a dark-colored baking pan for these, which makes them brown a little quicker. If your pan is lighter in color, your apple roses may need a few extra minutes, so just keep an eye on them toward the end of baking.
How to Serve Apple Roses
I like to serve these Apple Roses slightly warm for the best gooey apple pie bite. To reheat leftovers, pop them into the air fryer, oven, or toaster oven at 300°F for a few minutes until just warm.
Single-serve apple roses look lovely on a plate and are easy to serve at a party. Dust (I love this dusting wand!) with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar, or drizzle with honey or caramel sauce, if you prefer.
These beautiful apple roses really stand out on a dessert table and taste just like my Apple Pie, Apple Cider, and Apple Crisp recipes. They are perfect for Holiday potlucks and really wow guests!
Apple Roses
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 medium or 3 small red apples
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 lb or 2 sheets of puff pastry, thawed according to package instructions*
- All-purpose flour, for dusting
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted.
- 3 Tbsp Apricot preserves or apple jelly
- Powdered sugar, optional for dusting
Instructions
- Prep– Preheat the oven to 375˚F with a rack in the center of the oven. Butter or spray a 12-count muffin tin. Stir together sugar and cinnamon and set aside.
- Slice Apples – Cut apples in half and remove the core. Lay the apple half on the flat side and cut into very thin slices (1/16-inch thick), cutting parallel with the base. Add apple slices to a bowl and add just enough water to cover the apples. Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon over the top and microwave for 3-4 minutes or just until softened and flexible but not mushy. Drain well and pat dry.
- Prepare Pastry Strips -Unfold one sheet of thawed puff pastry onto a floured surface and roll it to 1/8” thickness, about 14” L by 10” W. Using a pizza cutter or knife, divide it into 6 even strips, about 2” W x 10” L.
- Fill – Working with 1 strip at a time, brush the center of the pastry with butter, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Lay about 6-7 apple slices along the top half of each pastry strip with the peel side up, overlapping slightly and with the edges hanging just above the pastry. Brush apricot preserves over the apples.
- Fold and Roll – Fold the bottom half of each pastry strip up over the bottom of the apples. Starting at one end, roll the strip into a rose shape. Place into prepared muffin tin. Repeat with the remaining roses.
- Finish and Bake – Brush the pastries with the remaining butter and sprinkle the tops with the remaining cinnamon sugar. Bake at 375˚F for 40 minutes or until pastry is golden and fully baked. If apples are browning too fast, tent with foil in the last 10 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
More Apple Recipes
These apple roses are one of the favorite apple recipes I make each year in the Fall. Here are more of our favorite apple recipes I know you’ll love:
- Apple Coffee Cake
- Apple Banana Muffins
- Cinnamon Apple Pancakes
- Carrot, Apple, and Walnut Salad
- Homemade Applesauce
- Pull-Apart Apple Bread
- Broccoli Apple Salad
These look so good, I can’t wait to try the recipe. I’m thinking for Thanksgiving would be a good time.
They are perfect for the holidays!
Hi Natasha! In step 3 it says to divide into 8 strips. But looks as if you’ve dividing each puff pastry into 6 strips, to end up with a total of 12. Am I reading this correctly?
Hi Altie! You’re correct, thanks for pointing that out. I’ll get it updated.
Hi Natasha and the rest of the production team
Nice and simple pastry to make. I have made a version of this pastry before. And I have added ground walnuts to it, or yellow raisin. Do not make it too bulky. Anyways all the best to everyone. And your cookbook is very well done. Sharky was beside the apple on your right Natasha. Take care of yourselves
Your friend from Canada
Hi Dennis! Thanks so much for commenting. That version sounds delish too. I hope you get a chance to try this recipe. Blessings!