Apple Roses (Magnificos)

Today you are in for a treat! Valentine’s day is around the corner so what better time to share this Apple Roses (Magnificos) recipe with you. These pastries are really one of a kind. Imagine sweet and slightly tart apples glazed with apricot jam, then intertwined with buttery layers of puff pastry that go from a flaky exterior to a tender center. They don’t only look sophisticated, they taste amazing and they will surely impress anyone you make them for (including yourself). So this Valentine’s Day, instead of giving your significant other roses that will just sit in water and die, consider giving them these roses that they can eat and enjoy, and thank me later.

Ok I know this is great for Valentine’s day but for the rest of you who are like me and just want a treat on a Wednesday, this is great for you too. Apple Roses (or Magnificos) look fancy and all but they are also very straight forward to make and you only need about 4 ingredients. Your first rose may be a little messy but you will get the hang of it. My tips and photos below will help a lot so make sure you refer to them before you start. The apricot jam really is essential in this recipe. Not only does it act as a sweetener, it also gives these pastries its unique flavor. I can’t wait for you to try them, they are really called Magnificos for a reason.

Some Tips

• Pre-make or buy the puff pastry dough ahead of time. This will save you some time and energy. You know how I feel about making your own dough; homemade is usually the tastiest. So if you want to go this route, I have a great and easy Puff Pastry recipe you can use. But also don’t let me guilt you into making the puff pastry yourself, a store bought puff pastry dough will work really well too.
• Thinner is better. The apples should be sliced thin and the dough should be rolled thin. If your apples are too thick, they will break instead of roll or take forever to soften up in the microwave. If your dough is too thick, it may puff up too much or take longer to cook in the center.
• Do not make your strip too long. I suggest going with 6 to 8 inches. If it is too long, it may take longer to bake in the center or be too snug in your cupcake pan. Which leads me to the next tip.
• Make sure your apple roses aren’t too snug in your pan. If they are, they may puff up too much and the rose shape may be ruined. Of course you can use a muffin pan instead for bigger roses. You just want to make sure the thin apple slices don’t burn from the longer cooking period.
• Cover your roses with foil midway to prevent them from burning. It is ok if your apples get a little dark but to avoid them getting too dark and drying out, you can place some foil loosely on the apple roses. Emphasis on loosely.
• Remove them from the pan immediately when they are ready. Some of the apricot jam may leak out during the baking process and harden when cooled. So do no let your apple roses cool in the pan if not they may get stuck.