Apple Roses

Steps

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.