Twisted Pastries with Caramelized Apples: Ready in 30 Minutes!
If you’re looking for a dessert that combines the comfort of homemade cooking with the speed of a last minute preparation, you’ve found the perfect recipe. The Twisted Pastries with Caramelized Apples are the ideal answer to that sudden craving for sweetness, especially when you have little time but do not want to compromise on taste. The secret ingredient for speed is the pre-made round puff pastry, which allows us to skip the long process of kneading and resting; also try the apple puff pastry pouches. The filling is an ode to autumn: soft caramelized apples with brown sugar, a splash of lemon juice to balance the sweetness, the enveloping aroma of cinnamon, and that exotic touch from maple syrup.
This mix not only offers an intense flavor but also creates a perfectly moist texture that contrasts with the golden crispness of the pastry. The “twist” (or fan) process is a visual hack that makes the dessert not only more appealing but also more professional, while still being very simple to make.
Below are more delicious apple dessert recipes:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 10 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Fall, Winter and Spring
- Energy 198.12 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 19.40 (g) of which sugars 7.41 (g)
- Proteins 2.05 (g)
- Fat 12.53 (g) of which saturated 3.07 (g)of which unsaturated 8.96 (g)
- Fibers 1.37 (g)
- Sodium 66.78 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 250 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 3 apples (variety: Fuji, Golden, or Renetta)
- 1 puff pastry (round)
- 1/2 lemon (juice)
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- as needed milk (or beaten egg for brushing)
- as needed brown sugar (to sprinkle on top)
- 2 tablespoons butter
Tools
- Parchment paper Cuki Parchment Paper Sheets 33 x 38 cm – 25 sheets – 1 package
- Rolling pin Städter 800038 – Professional Rolling Pin in Beech Wood, 12 inches
Steps for Twisted Pastries with Caramelized Apples
Preparing the Apple Filling
Chop the apples: Peel the apples, remove the core, and cut them into cubes about 1 cm.
Cook the filling: Place the apple cubes in a saucepan. Add the butter, lemon juice, brown sugar (2-3 tablespoons), maple syrup, and cinnamon.
Caramelize: Cook over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft and the bottom thickens slightly. Allow the mixture to cool completely.
Preparing the Twisted Pastry
Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 356°F in static mode.
Cut the pastry: Unroll the round puff pastry (leaving the parchment paper underneath), roll it out with a rolling pin, and cut it into 10 wedges (like a pizza).
Make the cuts: Take each wedge. From the edge measure about 1 inch and mark it. Make 3/4 parallel cuts along the width of the wedge, starting from the 1-inch mark. Ensure the first section (1 inch near the edge) and the final tip remain intact.
Filling and Sealing:
Place a generous teaspoon of apple filling on the intact section closest to the edge.
Twist: Roll the wedge from the tip towards the base, wrapping the apple mixture. The cuts will slightly open, creating the “twisted” or “fan” effect over the filling, transfer the pastries to a baking tray.
Baking
Brush: Brush the surface of all pastries with a bit of milk (or, if you prefer a more golden and shiny color, with beaten egg yolk). Sprinkle each pastry with a bit of brown sugar to achieve a caramelized crust.
Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 356°F for about 30 minutes, or until the puff pastry is well golden and crispy.
Storage, Tips, Notes, Variation, for Caramelized Apple Pastries
Tips: Use whole milk for brushing for a matte golden color, or a beaten egg yolk with a tablespoon of water for a very glossy finish. Do not overload the pastry base with too much filling.
Variations: Pear and Chocolate: Replace apples with pears and add some dark chocolate flakes to the filling. Berry: Use thick berry jam instead of cooked apples. Savory: Fill with spinach and ricotta, or ham and cheese, omitting all sugars and cinnamon.
Storage: The pastries can be stored at room temperature, in an airtight container, for 2-3 days. To keep them crispy, reheat them for 5 minutes in the oven at 302°F before serving.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I prepare the pastries in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the apple filling 1-2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You can also prepare the pastries, fill them, and arrange them on the tray (without brushing) and store them in the fridge for a few hours. Before baking, brush and add sugar.
How can I make my pastry crispier?
Crispiness is ensured by two factors: not using hot filling (which melts the pastry butter) and baking at the correct temperature (356°F) for the necessary time until deep golden. A trick is to lightly sprinkle the tray with powdered sugar before baking for an even crispier and caramelized base.
