Mini rose apple pies are as beautiful as they are delicious, little edible works of art that combine the charm of homemade pie with the elegance of a pastry shop dessert. Each one looks like a delicate rose in full bloom, made from thinly sliced apples rolled in flaky pie dough, their edges turning golden and caramelized as they bake. Beneath their beauty lies a comforting, familiar flavor: buttery crust, tender apples, and just the right touch of cinnamon and sugar.
What makes these pies so special is the transformation of simple ingredients into something show-stopping. Slices of apple are softened just enough to become flexible, then arranged in overlapping layers and rolled to form petals. As they bake, the apples take on a rosy hue and release their natural sweetness, creating a dessert that’s both fragrant and visually stunning. The pie crust bakes to a golden crisp, providing a tender, buttery base that balances the fruit’s gentle tartness.
These mini pies are perfect for fall gatherings, tea parties, or as an elegant alternative to traditional criss-cross apple pie. Their individual size makes them easy to serve, and they look beautiful on a dessert table dusted with powdered sugar or brushed with a touch of warm apricot glaze for shine. You can even experiment with flavors, a drizzle of caramel, a sprinkle of nutmeg, or a hint of lemon zest in the filling can give them a unique twist.
Beyond their flavor, mini rose apple pies capture the spirit of homemade baking: care, creativity, and a touch of whimsy. They’re the kind of dessert that makes people pause for a moment before taking a bite, admiring the craftsmanship and the love that went into each one. But once they do, that first forkful, the tender apples, the buttery crust, the warmth of cinnamon, reminds them that beauty and comfort can exist in the same bite.
Ingredients
- 2 large apples preferably red, like Honeycrisp or Gala
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed
- 3 tablespoons apricot jam or any light-colored jam
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Core the apples, and then use a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer to slice them thinly.
- Mix the apple slices with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface and cut it into 2-inch wide strips.
- Microwave the apricot jam and a little water to thin it, then brush each strip of pastry with this mixture.
- Arrange the apple slices on the top half of the pastry strip, overlapping slightly, with the skin side sticking out.
- Sprinkle cinnamon over the apple slices.
- Fold the bottom half of the pastry strip over the bottom of the apples.
- Starting from one end, gently roll the strip to form a rose shape.
- Place the rose pies into a greased muffin tin.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown.
- Let cool slightly before removing from muffin tin and serving.
Nutrition
This sounds too sweet for my taste. I think I’ll use less jam next time.
I had a hard time with the rolling part. Mine looked more like blobs than roses. 😂
OMG! Easy and delicious! I used peach jam instead and it came out amazing!
Peach jam? Wow, I gotta try that next time! Sounds awesome!
These are adorable! I’ve never seen anything like them before. Can’t wait to try! 🌹
I made these for a party and they were a huge hit! Everyone asked for the recipe. Thank you!
That sounds amazing! I can’t wait to try these for my next gathering. Thanks for sharing!
Do I really need to bake them for 40 minutes? What if they burn?!
I understand your concern! But 40 minutes at that temp usually gives a nice golden finish. Just keep an eye on them toward the end!
Sounds too long! I usually bake stuff for like 20 mins and it works. Maybe checking it sooner would save them from burning?
Absolutely loved these mini rose pies! They were a hit at my dinner party. Will definitely make again!
So glad to hear you loved them! They’re a hit at every party. Have you tried different jams? I wonder how strawberry would taste.
I made them too, but they didn’t turn out like the pics, more like spaghetti than roses. What did I do wrong? 🤔
Not sure if I am doing this right. Strips are kinda falling apart. Help!
Who uses thyme in apple pies? This recipe seems wrong. Apples and cinnamon are enough, no need for all this!
These were okay, but I think they were a bit too sweet for my taste. Maybe less jam next time.
I get what you mean about the sweetness. Maybe try using less jam or even a different fruit filling next time!
These pie roses are so cute! Made them for a party and everyone loved them!
I’m skeptical… how do the apples not get mushy? I might try this, but I won’t expect much.
Yum! So pretty and tasty. Im a bad cook but this was easy to follow. Thx!
So glad to hear it was easy! Your rose pies must be beautiful! 🍏🥧
Easy?! Huh. I tried this and it was a mess. The apples fell out everywhere! 😩
I tried this recipe but my apples turned brown anyway. Should’ve listened to the lemon juice part!
Yummy! Just what I needed for my sweet tooth!
Puff pastry is hard to manage. I might just stick to regular pies. 🙁
Honestly, this looks too complicated for me. I’m a bit skeptical about rolling them.
I get that! It looks fancy, but you could always just make a pie without all the rolling. No shame in keeping it simple!
Very tasty but why is it called rose? I don’t get it.