Description
Savor delightful golden caramel apple puff pastry, where flaky French pastry meets sweet-tart apples in a heavenly dessert. Crisp layers and rich caramel create an irresistible treat you’ll crave after every meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry Base:
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)
- 1 large egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for sprinkling)
Apple Filling Ingredients:
- 2 cups diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Sauce and Binding:
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
- 1 tablespoon water (for cornstarch slurry)
Instructions
- Transform diced apples into a luscious caramel filling by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then incorporating brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Simmer the apple mixture for 5-7 minutes until the fruit softens and develops a rich caramelized texture.
- Enhance the filling with vanilla extract and a cornstarch slurry, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until the mixture thickens and glosses.
- Allow the caramel apple mixture to cool slightly while preparing the pastry base.
- Heat the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Carefully unfold the puff pastry and slice into elegant rectangles or squares.
- Create a delicate border around each pastry piece by lightly scoring the edges without piercing completely through.
- Craft an egg wash by whisking egg and water, then meticulously brush along the pastry borders.
- Sprinkle a light dusting of granulated sugar on the edges to ensure a crisp, golden finish.
- Carefully spoon the cooled caramel apple filling into the center of each pastry, maintaining the pristine scored border.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until the pastry achieves a beautiful golden-brown color and crisp texture.
- Elevate the dessert by drizzling additional caramel sauce over the warm pastries just before serving.
Notes
- Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to balance the sweetness and maintain texture during cooking.
- Prevent soggy pastry by thoroughly cooking apple filling to reduce excess moisture before adding to puff pastry.
- Ensure cornstarch is completely dissolved in cold water to create a smooth slurry and prevent lumps in the caramel apple mixture.
- Chill puff pastry briefly after scoring and before baking to help maintain crisp, defined edges and prevent shrinkage during baking.
- Use gluten-free puff pastry and substitute cornstarch with arrowroot powder for same thickening effect.
- Replace butter with coconut oil or plant-based margarine to maintain rich flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 348 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg