Individual Servings of Apple Walnut Frangipane in Puff Pastry
You will surely delight your family and friends with individual servings of apples, walnut frangipane and puff pastry all served up in adorable mini-cast iron skillets. This recipe is easy to make at home with just a few ingredients needed.
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What you will love about this recipe
What's not to love about a puff pastry dessert with it's light, crispy and flaky texture? Yes, you can make your own puff pastry, but when you are short on time just purchase it from the market in the frozen dessert section. It is no small task to make puff pastry from scratch!
The recipe creates a show-stopper dessert your family and friends will ask for time and again. You may even assemble a day before you need them, pop them in the oven for 15 minutes and - voila - everyone gets an individually served freshly baked dessert.
Puff pastry
I remember making puff pastry in baking school. I can still visualize the 12 of us working for hours by banging dough and pounds of butter with our rolling pins, then rolling, folding and chilling the dough multiple times. Although this process yields spectacular results, most of us don't have the time to make it. An alternative is to purchase premade puff pastry sheets or make a 'quick puff' pastry - check out my recipe here.
Make the Walnut Frangipane
You will need to make a half batch of my Walnut Frangipane recipe to place under the apples. It bakes up and around the apples creating a base and adding a ton of flavor. The recipe is simple to make and any leftover frangipane may be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Place the brown sugar and softened butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (note: a hand mixer may also be used).
- Begin mixing the brown sugar and butter together on medium speed. Continue to mix until the mixture is lightened and creamy (approximately 3 – 4 minutes). Scrape the bottom and side of the bowl as needed.
- Add the ground walnuts and granulated sugar and mix on low speed until combined.
- Begin adding the room temperature eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed until combined. Scrape bottom and sides of bowl between each addition.
- Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold in the flour, cinnamon and baking powder.
How to Assemble the Pastries
- Defrost a sheet of puff pastry in the refrigerator. Once defrosted, lightly flour a work surface and roll puff pastry sheet large enough to cut 6 square 5" x 5".
- Place each square of pastry into a mini cast iron skillet. The desserts may also be baked without the skillets by placing on a baking sheet or in a large muffin tin.
- Place 3 tablespoons of walnut frangipane into each pan over the puff pastry dough.
- Layer apple slices on top of the frangipane.
- Fold the puff pastry over itself leaving small openings to allow the steam to escape while baking.
- Lightly whip an egg and, using a pastry brush, apply to the top of each pastry. Sprinkle lightly with raw sugar or granulated sugar.
Storage
The pastries are best served the day they are made. After cooling, place in an airtight container and store at room temperature.
📋 Recipe
Apple Frangipane in Puff Pastry Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅓ Cup Ground Walnuts
- ¼ Cup Light Brown Sugar
- ½ Cup Butter Softened
- 2 Large Eggs Room temperature
- ¼ Cup All-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon Baking Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 Sheet Puff Pastry Store bought is fine,
- 2 Medium Apples Granny Smith or Honey Crisp or Fuji
- 1 Large Egg, lightly whipped
- 1 Tablespoon Raw Sugar For sprinkling over pastry prior to cooking
Instructions
Make Walnut Frangipane
- Place the brown sugar and softened butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (note: a hand mixer may also be used).
- Begin mixing the brown sugar and butter together on medium speed. Continue to mix until the mixture is lightened and creamy (approximately 3 – 4 minutes). Scrape the bottom and side of the bowl as needed.
- Add the ground walnuts and granulated sugar and mix on low speed until combined.
- Begin adding the room temperature eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed until combined. Scrape bottom and sides of bowl between each addition.
- Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold in the flour, cinnamon and baking powder.
Assemble and Bake
- Preheat oven to 400° (F)
- Peel apples (or wash well). Cut thin slices of apple (⅛" thick.)
- Lightly dust work surface and rolling pin.
- Roll puff pastry sheet large enough to cut 6 square 5" x 5"
- Place each square in one of the individual-sized cast iron skillets. Note: these treats may also be made free-form or in a large muffin tin.
- Place 3 Tablespoons of Walnut Frangipane in the center of the puff pastry squares.
- Place 6 - 8 apple slices on top of the frangipane.
- Pull each corner of the puff pastry square to meet in the middle on top of the apples. Be sure to leave a little opening to allow steam to escape.
- Lightly brush egg wash over the exterior of the puff pastry. Sprinkle with raw sugar (optional).
- Bake 18 - 20 minutes. Puff pastry should be well risen and well browned.
- Cool approximately 15 - 20 minutes before serving. These are best served the day they are baked.
Beth says
These pastries are absolutely delicious! I didn't have small skillets like yours, so I used ramekins. It worked perfectly. I do need to get a set of those little skillets, though.
Clarice says
I made this in larger cast iron skillet because I don't have small ones. I baked a bit longer. The apple frangipane was so delicious and looked so nice.
Madeline says
These were so delicious and easy to make. My guests were wowed!
Sara B says
I made these in ramekins and turned out really good. My kids liked having their own servings. Those mini pans are so cute...I wish I had these!
Marie Gizelle says
Beautiful! They're like apfelstrudel but smaller and easier to serve. Thanks for the recipe, perfect for autumn afternoon tea!
Abida says
I never thought that such a wonderful recipe can be made by apples thanks for this.
Donna lynne says
These were so yummy and a great individual serving.