When simplicity meets the magic of Christmas, this puff pastry star with spiced walnuts and many cubes of Fuji apples is born. Preparing it is really easy with the step-by-step photos in the recipe and the caramelized puff pastry on the surface that makes it irresistible, it will surely be a hit.
To prepare this puff pastry star, in addition to walnuts, hazelnuts, and orange marmalade, I added diced Fuji apples from Val Venosta, which with their sweetness perfectly harmonize with the slightly bitter taste of the orange marmalade. They have a firm and very juicy flesh, which is why it is one of my favorite apple varieties and I also enjoy eating it raw.
If you like apples, try these recipes of mine too:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Preparation time: 25 Minutes
- Portions: 16 slices
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Christmas, Epiphany
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup hazelnuts
- 3/4 cup orange marmalade
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1/2 tsp cardamom (ground)
- 1/2 tsp ginger powder
- 2 pinches nutmeg
- 2 Fuji apples (Val Venosta)
- 2 rolls puff pastry (round)
- 1 egg (for brushing)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
- to taste powdered sugar
Steps
To prepare the spiced star with a filling of walnuts and Fuji apples, preheat the oven to 390°F (convection).
Put the walnuts and hazelnuts in the mixer and finely chop them, then mix them with the orange marmalade, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and nutmeg.
Roll out the first puff pastry sheet directly on a sheet of baking paper. Spread the walnut and marmalade mixture over the entire surface, leaving 0.4 inches free along the border.
Wash and peel the apples, remove the core, and cut them into cubes. Distribute the apple cubes over the entire walnut filling. Cover with the second puff pastry sheet and press well along the edge to seal.
Place a glass or small bowl in the center of the dough. Starting from the edge of the glass, divide the whole thing into 16 slices, as you would with a cake. Then always take two adjacent slices, twist each one outward twice, and join the two ends to form a sort of tip, pressing well so that they stay together. Proceed the same way with all the other slices.
Brush the star with the beaten egg.
Mix the sugar with the cinnamon and distribute it over the circle in the center of the star. Sprinkle the remaining star with plenty of powdered sugar.
Bake at 390°F for 25-30 minutes until completely golden.
Remove from the oven and let your spiced star with apples cool or enjoy it while it’s still warm.
