Quick Apple Puff Pastry (Perfect Thanksgiving Appetizer!)
You'll need two sheets of puff pastry dough (which is one package), a few tart apples, cinnamon and sugar, a pinch of salt and a smidge of eggwash to brush the tops and about 15 minutes of hands-on time. That's it. Then we're gonna pop it in the oven and wait patiently for our elegant appetizer to get all impressively puffy in the oven. Thanksgiving puff pastry appetizers couldn't be easier!
Equipment
- baking sheet & parchment paper
Ingredients
Apple Puff Pastries
- 2 sheets puff pastry dough thawed
- 3 apples cored, halved, and sliced very thin
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg white mixed with equal parts water
Cream Cheese Dip (optional)
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon madagascar bourbon vanilla or regular vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425° Fahrenheit. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with a silpat mat or parchment paper.
- Gently unfold the thawed puff pastry onto an area lightly dusted with flour. Carefully roll the pastry dough to a 10 x 11 inch rectangle. Transfer the puff pastry to the lined baking sheet.2 sheets puff pastry dough
- Cut the apples into slices and remove the seeds with a cookie cutter or knife.3 apples
- In a medium bowl, add the brown sugar, cinnamon and salt to apples. Stir to combine. Allow to sit for a few minutes.⅔ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon salt
- Use a pastry wheel or pizza cutter to slice the puff pastry into ½" ribbons.
- Wrap the ribbons around the apple slices, winding it from the center to the edges over and over again until the apple is covered with pastry dough.
- Make an egg wash by mixing one egg white with one tablespoon of water. Use a pastry brush to brush the tops of the pastries. Sprinkle with a light dusting of leftover cinnamon and sugar mixture.1 egg white
- Bake until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.
- While the apple puff pastry appetizers are baking, make the cream cheese dip by whisking the cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon in a bowl until smooth.4 ounces cream cheese, 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon madagascar bourbon vanilla, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Serve warm or refrigerate up to one day ahead of time. You can pop them back into the oven to warm for about 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
How to Prevent Sogginess
To keep your puff pastries crisp, ensure that the apple filling isn't too wet. You can sprinkle a little flour or cornstarch over the apples before placing them on the pastry to absorb excess moisture. Also, make sure your appetizers are properly sealed to prevent any filling from leaking out during baking.
Tips for Working With Puff Pastry Dough
Puff pastry can be a bit delicate, but no need to fret. Keep your workspace lightly floured, and handle it gently. Roll it out on a clean surface, and if it gets too soft, a quick pop in the fridge can firm it up. When you're cutting shapes or folding it over your tasty fillings, use a sharp knife for clean edges. I've found that rolling it between two sheets of lightly floured parchment paper helps keep it from sticking to the rolling pin and my working surface.
And don't forget to brush it with a touch of butter for that beautiful, golden, flaky puff pastry finish. It's all about balance: treat it kindly, and it'll reward you with those irresistible layers.
How to Store Apple Puff Pastry Appetizers
- Room Temperature: If you plan to consume them within a day or two, you can leave them at room temperature, covered with a clean kitchen towel or a loosely fitting lid. They should stay fresh and crisp.
- Refrigeration: For longer storage, place your puff pastry appetizers in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate them, and they should stay good for up to 3-4 days. However, keep in mind that the pastry might lose a bit of its initial crispness.
- Freezing: If you want to store them for an extended period, freezing is your best bet. Arrange the pastries in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until they're solid. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or a freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 360kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 4gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 164mgPotassium: 110mgFiber: 2gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 189IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 1mg
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