This recipe is a little bit different from my usual ones. This time I didn’t make everything from scratch, but as a mom to 2 little kids, and someone who lives in the real world, sometimes a little help is much appreciated. That’s why I always keep puff pastry in my freezer…at all times! 

This quick and easy dessert not only looks impressive and tastes incredible but they only take about 30 minutes to make. Most of that time is baking or cooking, so its really only about 10 minutes of effort on your part. I usually throw it together while I’m making dinner and by the time we’re done eating, its ready to go. 

The best part is, you don’t have to feel too guilty about eating them! The filling is mostly apples and there is no refined sugar except for the little dusting of powdered sugar on the top (which you could always leave out) Everyone is always thrilled with this treat at the end of the meal, and no one has to know that you really didn’t have to do much!

Puff Pastry With Cinnamon Apples

Ingredients:

1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed

3 cups chopped apples

(about 3 apples, peeled, cored and medium diced)

1/2  teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 Tablespoons cane sugar

 2 Tablespoons maple syrup

2 Tablespoons water

 pinch of salt

2.5 teaspoon kuzu + 2.5 teaspoons water

2 Tablespoons powdered sugar, for dusting the tops

Procedure:

-Unfold puff pastry and cut into 9 squares.  Space apart on a cookie sheet and bake according to package directions, until they are puffed and golden brown.

-Take out of the oven and set aside.

-While the puff pastry is baking, combine the apples, lemon juice, cinnamon, whole cane sugar, maple syrup and 2 Tablespoons water in a small saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer 20-25 minutes or until apples are the texture you’d like.

-Mix kuzu with water to create a slurry. Add to pan and cook until sauce thickens. (If you would like it thicker, add 1/2-1 teaspoon more kuzu mixed with an equal amount of water) Take off heat, and cool.

*Note, you could always use the apples right away, but they thicken as they cool and will ‘stay put’ better when it has been allowed to cool a bit.

-When you are ready, cut the puffs in half, and fill with the apples. Sprinkle the tops with powdered sugar if desired, and serve them on a fancy plate to encourage oohs and ahhs!!

*Another great thing about this apple filling recipe, is that you can use it for anything you want an apple filling in. If you’ve got the time, make mini apple pie turnovers, or in a strudel. Anything your imagination can come up with.