There’s something about autumn that just makes me want to bake. The air turns crisp, candles smell like cinnamon and apples, and suddenly I’m pulling puff pastry out of the fridge again. If you’ve been following along, you know I’ve already made these pastries in a few versions – blueberry, raspberry, and strawberries & cream. But this season, I had to bring a fall twist to the series: Easy Apples and Cream Pastries.
They’re light, flaky, and filled with fluffy whipped cream that’s gently flavored with cinnamon. Underneath the cream sits a thin layer of apple jam – or apple compote if you prefer something more rustic – and on top, I add a small apple slice, a dusting of powdered sugar, and a little sprig of rosemary. It looks elegant but cozy, like something you’d serve at a brunch on a rainy weekend.
Ingredients You’ll Need for the Easy Apples and Cream Pastries:
- Puff pastry: This is the base of your dessert, providing a flaky and buttery texture.
- Heavy Cream: Makes the creamy filling of the pastry.
- Cinnamon: Adds cozy flavor to the cream filling.
- Sugar + Vanilla Extract (or Vanilla Sugar): Adds sweetness.
- Apple Jam or Compote: Adds freshness to the filling.
- Fresh apple slices: For decoration.
- Powdered Sugar: For decoration.
- Egg yolk: Used to brush the pastry edges for a golden finish.
- Mint / Rosemary (optional): Adds another flavor and an additional pop of color.
For making the Easy Apples and Cream Pastries, here are the essential tools you’ll need:
- Cookie Cutters: To cut the puff pastry into uniform shapes for consistent baking.
- Pastry Brush: To apply an even layer of egg yolk on the pastry for a golden finish.
- Piping Bag: To add precise amounts of cream onto the pastry.
- Baking Sheet: To place the pastries on for baking in the oven.
- Parchment Paper: To prevent the pastries from sticking to the baking sheet and ensure easy cleanup.
Here is the full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 roll of puff pastry
- 200 ml heavy cream (1 cup)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 small apple, thinly sliced (for topping)
- 3–4 tbsp apple jam or apple compote
- 1 egg yolk
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Mint or Rosemary leaves to garnish
Directions:
- Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 200°C (392°F). This ensures the oven is hot enough to give your puff pastry that perfect golden-brown finish.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Roll out the puff pastry on a clean surface. Cut out large circles from the pastry. These will serve as the base for your dessert. For the edge, cut out smaller circles from the center of some of the larger circles, creating ring shapes. Place the ring shapes on top of the large circles to create a raised edge. Brush the edges with egg yolk to give them a lovely golden color once baked.
- Bake: Place the prepared puff pastry circles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until they are puffed up and golden brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely.
- Prepare the Filling: While the puff pastry is baking and cooling, prepare the filling. Whip the heavy cream until stiff, carefully add sugar, vanilla extract and cinnamon & whip again.
- Assemble: Once both the puff pastry and filling have cooled, carefully remove the center of the puff pastry pieces, if they have puffed up too much. Fill the center of each puff pastry piece with 1 tbsp of apple jam or homemade compote and the cinnamon cream filling. Decorate the top with apple slices, rosemary,..
- Enjoy: Serve immediately and enjoy this delightful fall treat with friends and family!
Tips and Tricks:
Tips for the Pastry:
- Chill the Puff Pastry: Keep your puff pastry cold until you’re ready to use it. Warm pastry can become too soft and difficult to handle, making it less likely to puff up properly.
- Prevent Over-Puffing: When baking the pastry circles, if they puff up too much in the center, gently press them down with a spoon immediately after they come out of the oven. This will create a well for your filling.
- Egg Wash for Shine: Brushing the pastry edges with egg yolk not only helps them turn a beautiful golden brown but also adds a slight shine, making your pastries look even more appetizing.
- Sprinkle with Sugar: For added sweetness and a touch of crunch, sprinkle a bit of granulated sugar or coarse sugar on top of the pastry before baking.
- Cooling is Key: Ensure both the puff pastry and filling are completely cooled before assembling. If the pastry is too warm, it can cause the filling to become runny.
- Use cold cream: Cold cream whips better and stays stable longer.
General Tips:
- Even Baking: Rotate your baking sheet halfway through the baking time to ensure the pastries bake evenly.
- Custom Shapes: Get creative with the shapes of your puff pastry. You can use different cookie cutters to create fun shapes that match the theme of your gathering.
- Preheat Your Oven: Make sure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature before baking. This ensures that the pastry bakes evenly and achieves a golden, crisp texture.
- Chill the Dough: If you’re using homemade pastry dough, chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before rolling it out. This makes it easier to handle and helps prevent shrinking during baking.
- Roll Evenly: Roll out the dough evenly to ensure uniform baking. An even thickness helps the pastry cook consistently and avoids undercooked or overcooked spots.
- Bake on Parchment Paper: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the pastry from sticking and to make cleanup easier.
- Cool Before Serving: Allow the pastries to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. This helps the filling set and makes them easier to handle.
- Storage: If you need to make these ahead of time, store the baked puff pastry shells in an airtight container at room temperature. Assemble with the cream just before serving to maintain the pastry’s crispness.
Following these tips will help you create perfectly delicious and visually appealing apple & cinnamon cream pastries. Enjoy your baking!
More Baking Ideas:
- Strawberries & Cream Cookies – Soft, buttery cookies infused with fresh strawberries and a velvety cream filling – the ultimate summer treat!
- White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies -Delight in the perfect balance of sweet white chocolate and tart raspberries with every bite of these irresistible cookies.
- Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies -These zesty lemon cookies with a hint of poppy seed crunch will brighten up your day with a refreshing burst of flavor.
- Lemon Cheesecake Cookies with Blueberry Curd – Bright, tangy, and irresistibly creamy, these Lemon Cheesecake Cookies with Blueberry Curd are a zesty delight topped with a luscious blueberry swirl. Perfect for citrus lovers looking for a sweet twist!
Watch the recipe video here. Let’s get to baking! Here is the full recipe:
Summary
Recipe Name
Author Name
Easy Apples and Cream Pastries
Isabel
Published On
