Baked Apple Roses for Valentine's Day

Apple Roses Creations: Transform ordinary apples into stunning edible roses with this elegant and simple recipe. These apple roses are not only visually stunning but also deliciously sweet, making them the perfect treat for any occasion. With just a few ingredients and some creative flair, you can create a beautiful bouquet of apple roses that will impress your friends and family. For this recipe, we recommend using either Cortland or Empire apples for their crisp texture and sweet flavor, which complement the delicate puff pastry perfectly.

Why Cortland or Empire Apples? Cortland and Empire apples are both excellent choices for this recipe due to their firm texture and sweet flavor. Cortland apples are prized for their bright red skin and crisp, juicy flesh, making them ideal for baking and cooking. Empire apples, a cross between McIntosh and Red Delicious, offer a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, adding depth of flavor to your apple roses.

Recipe: Apple Roses Ingredients:

• 4 apples, cored and halved (leave the skin on)
• Juice from 1/2 lemon
• 3 Tbsp fruit preserves (such as apricot)
• 2 Tbsp water (plus more for apple soak)
• 1 sheet of puff pastry
• Cinnamon, to taste

Instructions:

1.   Preheat Oven to 375 degrees.

2.   Place apple slices in a microwave-safe bowl. Fill the bowl with water and juice from half a lemon. Microwave for 3 minutes to soften the apple slices.

3.   Roll out the puff pastry on a floured board and cut into 6 strips, each about 3 inches wide.

4.   In a bowl, mix fruit preserves with water. Spoon the preserves onto the center of each puff pastry strip.

5.   Place apple slices lengthwise halfway on the strip, overlapping slightly. Continue adding slices until you reach the end.

6.   Fold the puff pastry over the bottom of the apple slices and roll up the pastry.

7.   Place each rolled-up pastry into a greased muffin tin.

8.   Bake the apple roses for 35-45 minutes until golden brown.

9.   Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired, and enjoy the beautiful and delicious apple roses!

Fun Facts and Joke:

• Cortland apples are known for their resistance to browning when sliced, making them perfect for showcasing in these apple roses.
• Empire apples were first developed in the 1960s in New York State, known for their vibrant red color and sweet-tart flavor.

• Joke: Why did the Empire apple break up with the Cortland apple? Because it said, "You're the apple of my eye, but you're not my Valentine!"

Thank you to tiphero.com for the recipe!

Mr Al Ragazzo of Schuylerville, NY
Sent Us His Apple Rose Creation
Yum!