Apple roses with marzipan

as pretty as a bouquet of flowers... simple and quick recipe, perfect for a buffet or as a gift

In this post, I'm sharing a recipe for delicious little tarts with apples and marzipan. As I have a passion for aesthetics (and of course for homemade things) and am a perfectionist, I am particularly pleased when baked goods are something decorative, pretty to look at and pretty to serve on the table or at a picnic.

These little tartlets, the size of a small muffin, are made with thin apple slices arranged to look like the petals of a rose... hence the name "apple roses". As with other of my creations, the aesthetics are not an end in themselves, but have a purpose: the apple slices bake faster and more evenly thanks to their small diameter and arrangement. I didn't invent the recipe, but I have found it to be good without exception :-).

The apple roses look decorative and taste good. A lovely decoration for a buffet, to take to birthdays or as a surprise for a wedding anniversary instead of a bouquet of flowers. They are not only pretty, but also quick and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• puff pastry

• 1-2 apples

• raw marzipan paste

• possibly sliced or ground almonds

• some lemon zest

• powdered sugar

Preparation

• Roll out the puff pastry and cut into strips about 4 cm wide on the baking paper. The length of the strips depends on the size of the muffin tins. I find small muffin cases particularly pretty for this, as they look even more like roses and are also a similar size.

• Form small rolls from the marzipan (about 0.5 cm in diameter) and place them lengthwise in the middle of the strip and press flat.

• Cut the apples into thin slices (actually about 1-2 mm). Briefly boil the apple slices in a little water with the lemon zest to make them soft and pliable.

• Then place the slices lengthways on the marzipan so that the peel peeks out slightly at the edge of the pastry strip.

• Roll up the strip of dough and seal the end.

• Place the finished roses in the muffin tin (one for small muffins like this one is best).

• Bake at 190 °C for about 20-25 minutes until lightly golden brown.

• Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Has the recipe piqued your curiosity and whetted your appetite? Do you have any tips, questions or comments you would like to share? I look forward to hearing from you. If you liked this post and would like to share it or talk to someone about it, it would be my pleasure.

Good luck! A hug and see you soon!

PS. If you don't like marzipan or prefer it less sweet, you can simply leave it out - it tastes wonderful too.

PPS. The little flag (with writing on the back) makes them even more special for a buffet or as a greeting for a dear friend or partner: all I did was attach a rectangular piece of patterned clay paper to a shashlik skewer with some masking tape and stick it into the tartlets.