Apple Puff Pastry "Doughnuts"
Making these little apple "doughnuts" is more like doing an easy craft project than baking, and the results are super tasty and cute as heck. You can customize them with your favorite toppings—just make sure to serve them with plenty of caramel.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 4 persons
Ingredients
- 1large Honeycrisp apple
- 3tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Heavy cream for brushing
- 1sheet puff pastry, thawed
- Heavy cream or a beaten egg
- ¼cup store-bought caramel sauce
- ½teaspoon red or white miso, adjust to taste, optional
- Optional toppings: Pepitas, crushed pretzels, chocolate chips, mochi bites, or ice cream of your choice
Instructions
Step 1
Gather the ingredients. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 375 F. Line a baking sheet with lightly greased parchment paper.Step 2
Cut 1 large Honeycrisp apple crosswise into rounds about 1/4-inch thick. You should end up with 9 to 10 rings.Step 3
Using a small round cookie cutter or the large side of a piping tip, puncture the center of each apple slice to remove the core. This will give you an apple “doughnut” shape.Step 4
Combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon in a shallow dish or bowl. Dip the apple slices in the sugar mixture to coat lightly all over. You will have some sugar mixture left over.Step 5
Place 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed , on a sheet of parchment paper or a lightly floured work surface. Gently roll the puff pastry to flatten it slightly. Use a knife or a pizza wheel cutter to cut the puff pastry into thin and even strips, about 1/4 inch wide.Step 6
Wrap each apple ring with the puff pastry strips, threading each strip through the hole as you wrap around the apple slice. You’ll need to use at least 2 strips of puff pastry per apple slice. Transfer the completed “doughnuts” to the prepared baking sheet. Leave about an inch of space between them.Step 7
Brush each “doughnut” lightly with heavy cream or a beaten egg and sprinkle with a pinch of the remaining spiced sugar mixture.Step 8
Bake until the puff pastry turns beautifully golden brown and puffy, 15 to 20 minutes. Begin checking the pastries at the 15-minute mark, letting them cook a bit longer if needed. Your whole kitchen should smell like delicious apple pie.Step 9
While the pastries are baking, warm 1/4 cup store-bought caramel sauce slightly and mix in 1/2 teaspoon optional red or white miso .Step 10
Once the pastries are out and slightly cooled, sprinkle on some more spiced sugar mixture, then drizzle with the miso caramel sauce. Garnish with the optional toppings like, my personal favorite, toasted pepitas, and enjoy a warm hug with each bite!