Apple Rose Tarts

When I think of fall, I feel leaves crunching under my boots, globules of rain sliding down the window, and our big tall apple tree. It stands proudly in our yard, brown bark slick with rain. By the time school starts, the tree is drooping under the weight of sweet red apples. We pick hundreds of apples, giving away loads to neighbors and friends. My mom cooks applesauce in the big red pot, and I help my dad juice some to make cider. I think food should look, as well as taste, amazing. But applesauce and cider don’t showcase the beautiful crimson of apples.

So I decided to make these delicate apple rose tarts. Since apples are a universal fruit, I think that everyone will enjoy this recipe. The roses are actually fairly easy to make, just make sure to slice the apples thinly. These make a perfect sweet snack or dessert. Enjoy!

Makes about 14 apple tarts

Ingredients

1 sheet thawed puff pastry (if using ready-rolled, enough to make a total size of 14 x 10” / 35 x 25.5cm)
2 Gala, McIntosh, Fuji, Red delicious, or other red variety apples
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
⅛  tsp. ground cardamom
¼ tsp. ground cloves
1½  tsp. lemon juice
2 tablespoons brown sugar

Method

1. Slice the apples thinly, about 1/16 of an inch / 2mm. If they are a little thicker, that’s alright.  Toss sliced apples in big non-metallic bowl and add in cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, lemon juice, and brown sugar.
2. Roll the puff pastry into a 14 x 10” / 35 x 25.5 cm rectangle. Then, cut it into 1 x 10” / 2.5 x 25.5cm strips.
3. Microwave the apple slices for 35 seconds, so they are flexible enough to roll.
4. Lay the apple slices on top of the dough strips, overlapping the edges.
5. Carefully roll up the strips. Lay the tarts rose side up–the prettiest cut edge up–in a buttered muffin tin.
6. Bake at 350℉ / 180℃ for about 40 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown.
7. Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly, and carefully remove from the pan.

I like to serve these warm with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. You could also try them with honey or powdered sugar.