Apple roses

Makes: 40 Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

2 large red apples, cored and very thinly sliced ¼ cup apricot jam 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed 1 egg 2 teaspoons water 1 tablespoon icing sugar

Method:

Preheat oven to 190°C.

Place apple slices in a bowl and microwave for 30 seconds until soft and pliable. Cut pastry vertically (short side) into 3cm thick strips. Brush each strip with apricot jam and sprinkle cinnamon.

Place apple slices on one end of the pastry overlapping them slightly. Fold the bottom half of the dough over the apple slices, but expose the top of the apples.

Beat egg with water in a small bowl. Using a pastry brush, paint the surface of the dough with the egg wash. Roll dough to form a rose-shaped pastry. Seal the end using egg wash.

Place roses on greased baking tray and place in middle rack of preheated oven and bake for 45 minute or until well browned.

Once cooked remove from the oven and while still hot, brush with apricot jam for a shiny glaze. Note:

Ascertain that your oven is preheated before baking otherwise the pastry will not puff up beautifully.

For some crunch and flavour, I sometimes also sprinkle finely chopped almonds.