A caramel apple is a sweet treat I’ve always admired from afar. It’s the sort of thing that “looks” appealing to eat… all of that gooey caramel wrapped around a crunchy, juicy apple- sometimes even rolled in toasted nuts or, better yet, M&M’s. But it’s also the very treat that I’m unwilling to tackle eating. The idea of trying to navigate through a thick layer of caramel and manage a bite that leaves your face a mess of sticky goo and dribbles down your chin is entirely unappealing to me.
Instead, I caramelize apple slices, which is a much neater, safer way to eat fall’s favorite fruit. Here’s my latest very simple dessert creation, utilizing Puff Pastry: Caramelized Apple Waffle Pastries with Cinnamon Whipped Cream.
First step: Caramelizing the apples
Peeling the apples is the most time consuming part of this recipe. I like to use Granny Smith’s. Peel them, core them, and cut them into wedges. They’re sauteed in butter, sugar and spices, with a touch of cornstarch to thicken the syrup and a splash of vanilla for flavor. They simmer in that buttery, sugary mixture for about 15 minutes, until the apples are tender, caramelized and swimming in thick, cinnamony juices. Set the mixture aside to cool down.
Second Step: Preparing the waffle pastries
Frozen Puff Pastry (thawed) is used for this dessert. Simply cut down the two seams to make three large rectangles, then cut each rectangle into three equal pieces. You’ll end up with nine rectangles. Heat a waffle iron and spray with nonstick spray. Sprinkle each piece of Puff Pastry with cinnamon-sugar and set into your waffle iron. Close and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden. Repeat with the rest of the Puff Pastry and set the waffles aside.
Third Step: Prepare the whipped cream
Whip heavy whipping cream until thick and stiff peaks form. Stir in a half teaspoon of vanilla and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Ready to assemble:
Place waffle pastries on platter and top with caramelized apples. Drizzle pan juices on top. Pipe whipped cream on top of apples and serve.
The best part about this recipe is that it can be prepared ahead. Everything can be served cold. If you’d rather serve it warm, top the steamy apples with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of hot, caramel syrup.
CARAMELIZED APPLE WAFFLE PASTRIES W/ CINNAMON WHIPPED CREAM
CARAMELIZED APPLES:
3 Tbs unsalted butter
5 large apples, peeled, cored and cut into wedges
1/2 cup white granulated sugar
1 tsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp salt
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
WAFFLES:
1 sheet frozen Puff Pastry, thawed
2 Tbs granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
WHIPPED CREAM:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1. Prepare Caramelized Apples: In a large skillet over medium-heat, melt butter. Add apples, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Stir apples into sugary, buttery mixture until coated. Let apples cook and caramelize, about 15 minutes, stirring every so often (reduce heat as needed). Remove skillet from heat and stir in vanilla. Set apples aside to cool.
2. Prepare Waffle Pastries: Preheat waffle iron. Unfold puff pastry. Use sharp knife and cut along seams to create three rectangles. Cut each rectangle into thirds. You should have nine square pieces of puff pastry (about 2 1/2? x 3?). Combine sugar and cinnamon: Sprinkle tops of puff pastry squares with cinnamon-sugar mixture.
3. Spray waffle iron with nonstick spray. Place puff pastry onto waffle iron (two at a time) and close waffle iron. It should only take 2 or 3 minutes for the pastry to puff up and turn golden brown. Gently lift the waffle iron to watch progress and remove the waffles when done. Repeat with remaining pastry dough. Set pastry waffles aside to cool.
4. Prepare whipped cream: Using electric mixer, beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Add cinnamon and vanilla.
5. Assembly: Place waffle pastries on serving platter and top with caramelized apples, drizzling pan juices too. Pipe whipped cream on top of the apples. Serve immediately.
Servings: 9
Cooking Tips
*Since this dessert is served at room temperature (or cold), it can easily be made ahead. Prepare the waffles, let cool and then keep in a covered container. Prepare the apples, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Whipped cream should be prepared just before serving.
**Try serving this dessert warm too, replacing the whipped cream with ice cream & a drizzle of caramel syrup.
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This post is sponsored by Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry. Do you have a Puff Pastry creation to share? Enter the 1, 2, 3 Puff! Recipe Contest and you could receive an all-expense paid trip to New York City for a taste of the sweet life! Find more great recipes and enter to win at 123puffpastry.com.
34 Comments
Oh, I am so wishing I could make this right now. What a great idea to use puff pastry in the waffle maker. I would never have even thought of that. You’re so creative!
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That is a great idea!!
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my stars above. forget chicken and waffles. forget apple pie. okay, maybe i won’t take it that far, but dang, this is a delight! my drool glands are working overtime (and not getting paid).
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Love this! Seems pretty simple. I wish I came up with this.
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These look so delicious, what a great idea!
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What an excellent recipe this is!!
MMMMMMMMM,…a lovely autumn dessert!!
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These look amazing! Now I’m going to be craving these ALL day, darn you!! I love that you make them in the waffle iron!
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Mmmm! I really want to make these, but I shouldn’t:) What a treat!
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Oh dang, now I am hungry again!
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Like you, I’m not a fan of traditional caramel apples… too hard to eat! I love this idea and I know my kids would live it, too!
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Wow this looks incredible! How clever and delicious! Especially that whipped cream. Thanks for sharing!
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Delicious!!
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What a fun idea! Love the pictures of the apples cooking – I can almost smell them!
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It is almost 11 pm and I am having serious midnight cravings…What a joy this waffle would have been!!!
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Oh wow! These look SO tasty!
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This is totally breakfast!
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Warm please (except for the cream)
Did you enter this in the contest? It’s sure to win!! 
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Oh my, this looks absolutely divine! And I have puff pastry left over from the DB challenge that I could use for this!
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Yikes. My stomach is growling over this recipe. I just got some lovely apples from my CSA today and will give this recipe a try this weekend. Can’t wait!
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I just saw your luscious recipes on bettycrocker.com, you did such a great job with the cereals! I’m impressed! I’ve been following you for awhile, so I figured I should quit lurking and say hi.:)
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CARAMEL APPLE TOPPING?!??!??! Stop it – that is just too amazing. Holy yum!
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What a fun idea and looks de-lish. I’m starving right now and this looks like just what would take care of that!
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This is a beautiful recipe. I had no idea about using puff pastry for the waffle! So quick, easy and elegant! We do love a good caramel apple but I must slice mine up first since they are so messy to eat.
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I am so making this one. Love the idea of cooking it in the waffle iron
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Super delicious idea! My tummy is grumbling just looking at your photos!
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Oooh good gosh! This lovely dessert looks just perfect for the cold autumn nights…I think I’m in love
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Looks superb! Your recipes are always fabulous and the pics are awesome. Thanks for sharing this!
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What a creative idea! These look delicious…can’t wait to try it!
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I love that you used the waffle iron. I would have never thought of that. What an easy and delicious looking dessert! I gave it a thumbs up!
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Oh wow..I would have never in a million years thought to put puff pasry on the waffle iron! GENIOUS!
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Love it! Thanks so much for sharing this really cool idea using Puff Pastry. I want to try to enter the contest.
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This was amazing. I made it last night – it was so quick and easy. Everyone loved it! Thanks for sharing.
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This recipe looks so impressive! And simple enough to do before I have guests over! Puff Pastry Waffels just made it to my dessert menu!
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This is the most GORGEOUS and BRILLIANT idea I have ever seen with puff pastry!
I wish I could make one of those and just freeze it in time to use as a permanent centerpiece at my dinner table! I MUST try these soon.
Thank you so very much for making my mouth water and my tummy growl!
Gratefully,
Christy
P.S. It looks so easy, too!
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