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Autumn & Winter · Spring & Summer · Tarts

Apple Rose Tartlets

Recipe by Nigel Clease Kitchen-tested
Autumn & Winter 5 min read

Pretty apple rose tartlets with thinly sliced fruit and crisp pastry—an easy, elegant dessert for entertaining.

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Apple Rose Tartlets – preparation step 17
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PracticalClear timings and measurements
HelpfulTips, storage and variations

The recipe, step by step

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Crisp, buttery apple rose tartlets are beautiful to look at and make great little apple pies for dinner parties. A great combination of apples, cinnamon sugar and puff pastry.

Simple to create and make a great impression on friends and family. Use your favourite type of apple and serve them with my vanilla custard.

Plus, if you want to make that extra effort you can make my flaky pastry for an even more crispy, buttery pastry taste and finish.

RECIPE HIGHLIGHTS

  • EASE: Easy.
  • TASTE: Buttery puff pastry with sweet apples and cinnamon.
  • TEXTURE: Crisp pastry with sumptuous soft, sticky apple slices.

INGREDIENTS

For this apple rose tartlet recipe all you need are these 8 ingredients:

  • Puff pastry or my flaky pastry – for that buttery, crisp bite.
  • Plain or all-purpose flour – for dusting the work surface, to stop the pastry dough from sticking to it.
  • Apples – are the heroes of this recipe.
  • Lemon juice – stops the apples from oxidising and turning a brown colour, if the apples turn brown their nutritional value and flavour are altered.
  • Egg – is used to help the sugar stick to the pastry dough, alternatively, melted butter can be used.
  • Caster or granulated white sugar – adds sweetness.
  • Ground cinnamon – adds flavour.
  • Icing sugar – adds refined sweetness and makes the finished dessert look nice.
  • Salt – I highly recommend adding salt to your doughs and pastry. Salt helps balance out the sweetness and richness. It also elevates the other ingredients, bringing out the best characteristics of any recipe. I recommend using sea salt, Maldon Sea salt flakes or Cornish sea salt.

WHAT VARIATIONS CAN I MAKE?

  • Pears – make a great alternative to apples. Choose a pear that is slightly under-ripe as pears are a lot juicier than apples.

Nutrition

Serving: one tartlet

248.4 kcal

CALORIES · 12% DV

13.83 g

TOTAL FAT · 20% DV

29.32 g

CARBOHYDRATES · 11% DV

9.33 g

SUGARS · 10% DV

2.78 g

PROTEIN · 6% DV

11.31 mg

SODIUM · 1% DV

1.46 g

FIBRE · 5% DV

% Daily Values based on a 2,000-calorie diet

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate and may vary depending on the ingredients and portion size used.

STORAGE AND FREEZING OPTIONS

These tartlets are best eaten on the day while the pastry is nice and crisp, but they will keep in an airtight container inside the fridge for 3-4 days.

Freezing: They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Defrost and reheat in the oven before serving.

Apple Rose Tartlets – preparation step 2
Apple Rose Tartlets – preparation step 3

EQUIPMENT SUGGESTIONS

Recommendations include:

  • Pastry Brush – This brush is both flexible and durable, being able to withstanding extreme temperatures.
  • Rolling pin – I love this rolling pin! The removable guide rings make it much easier to roll biscuit dough, pizza dough and flatbreads to an even thickness, giving you consistent results every time.

Perfect for making buns, cupcakes, fairy cakes, muffins and Yorkshire puddings.

RECIPE TIPS

Avoid over cooking the apple slices – they need to just be pliable enough to not break when rolling them up with the pastry.

Apple Rose Tartlets – preparation step 2

Apple Rose Tartlets

Preparation:20 minutes
Baking:45 minutes
Total:1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 tartlets
Tools you’ll need:
  • 12 cup muffin pan (see equipment suggestions on blog page)
Beautiful and easy to make, these little apple pies are perfect for entertaining friends and family.
Print Pin

INGREDIENTS LIST
 

  • 2 packs readymade puff pastry (or my flaky pastry)
  • 2 tbsp plain flour (all-purpose) (to sprinkle the counter)
  • 4 whole apples (use your favourite)
  • 1/2 whole lemon (juiced)
  • 2 tbsp caster sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp icing sugar (US powdered sugar) (for decorating)

Preparation
 

  • If you want to use my flaky pastry instead of puff pastry, check the link at the top of this blog post for the recipe.
  • Apples: Prepare a medium heat-proof bowl and squeeze the lemon juice inside it. Cut the apples in half and remove the core using a teaspoon spoon. Leave the skins on.
    Using a mandolin or a shape knife, cut the apples into thin slices about 3mm (1/8-inch) thick. We won't be using the first couple of slices at the ends, these can be discarded. Toss the sliced apples in the bowl with lemon, so that they don't brown.
    Apple Rose Tartlets – preparation step 10
  • Cover the bowl with cling film and microwave for about 3 minutes, to make them slightly softer and easier to roll.
    Alternatively, place them over a pan of boiling water for 10 minutes on the stove.
    The apple slices should be cooked just enough to bend without breaking.
    Apple Rose Tartlets – preparation step 12
  • Pastry: Lightly dust your work surface with flour.
    Unwrap the readymade pastry and cut out rectangles, each one being 24 x 5cm (10 × 2 inches), until you have 12 strips in total.
    If using my flaky pastry, divide the dough in half and roll out one half into a 24 x 30cm (10 × 12 inches) rectangle 3mm thick. Cut the dough into six rectangles, each one being 24 x 5cm (10 × 2 inches). Repeat with the other dough until you have 12 strips in total.
  • Preheat the oven to 160°C fan / 350°F / Gas 4.
  • Lay one strip on the work surface in front of you and brush with egg wash.
    Apple Rose Tartlets – preparation step 5
  • Mix the sugar and the cinnamon together and sprinkle over the pastry with the egg wash and then arrange 10 apple slices along half of the strip overlapping each other.
    Apple Rose Tartlets – preparation step 6
  • Fold over the bottom part of the pastry tightly and press down firmly.
    Apple Rose Tartlets – preparation step 7
  • Gently roll up the pastry strip until it looks like a rose and then place it in a greased muffin tin.
    Apple Rose Tartlets – preparation step 8
  • Do the same for all the remaining 11 roses.
    Apple Rose Tartlets – preparation step 9
  • Baking: Place on the middle shelf for about 40-45 minutes, until dough is fully cooked.
    Apple Rose Tartlets – preparation step 14
  • Let rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, then dust with icing sugar and serve warm or cold.

Notes & Tips

  • Avoid over cooking the apple slices – they need to just be pliable enough to not break when rolling them up with the pastry.

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