Mini Apple Rose Tarts

 

Happy December to All!

Hard to believe we're almost at the end of 2018.  I really think time does speed up once you turn 40. (And that was 7 years ago now!)

This is only my 11th post of 2018 when in previous years I was averaging way more:

How the heck did I post 66 new treats in 2010?? As you can see the number has consistently dropped each year since.  The reason? Life. Just life as a working mom with 3 kids (now twins are 11 and big kid is 14).  I love baking and thinking up new treats but it has taken a backseat for sure this year.  I do still make stuff but many times I don't have the time or energy for pics and blog posts.  I tend to take the easy way out and post a quick pic to Instagram and my Facebook page.  

But that said when I do have time and want to share something new, I do like to set aside some me time for that.  

Like these mini apple rose tarts!

I've seen them on Pinterest a lot and they've been on my to do list forever! Plus I love apples and cinnamon so these are one of my fav flavors.

Start with some apples.  I used a bunch of different types - really to try to get different colors in the final tarts.  Cut in half, remove seeds/core, and slice thinly.  I just used a knife to slice thinly but you could also use a mandolin if you have one handy.

Add 1/4 cup of honey and 1 teaspoon of good cinnamon to a microwave safe bowl and heat for 1 minute.  Brush mixture over outside of apples and bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes (until apples are soft but not mushy).  You can even microwave the apples to really speed up the time.  

I used store bought tart shells.  They are small and easy to work with and really speeds the process of making these little tarts.

To hold the apples in I filled the tarts with a mixture of melted caramel chips and a little cream cheese.  Place the apples lengthwise overlapping slightly and roll into rose shape.  

The video above shows how to roll the apples (I left out the puff pastry as I wanted smaller, tighter roses.

Add the rolled roses to the shells and that's pretty much it.  

If you use pre-made shells you can have a bunch of these mini apple rose tarts made in about 30 mins!

Super cute and yummy and it looks like you spent a lot of time putting a tray of these together.  I plan on making more for some holiday parties coming up!

Another reason right now for lack of posts is we are renovating our kitchen! Currently cooking and baking is happening either in a toaster oven, microwave, electric burner or crock pot!

Here's our current kitchen set up!

Wish me luck and here's to hoping 2019 gets back on track treat wise!

Thanks for swinging by!

Mini Apple Rose Tarts

by Michelle Clausen December 7 - 2018

Ingredients

• Box pre-made fillo tart shells
• 3 apples (pick you favorite)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup caramel chips
• 1 Tablespoon cream cheese

Instructions

1. For apple roses: Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.  Cut apples in half and remove core/seeds.  Slice thinly and evenly.  
2. Mix honey and cinnamon in microwave safe bowl and heat for 1-2 mins until thin.  Brush over outside of apples.  
3. Bake apples for 15 mins (until pliable but not mushy)
4. Line up about 4 apple slices lengthwise overlapping ends slightly.  Roll into rose shape (see video above as example)
5. For filling: Add caramel chips to microwave safe bowl and heat for 3 minutes or until chips are melted.  Add cream cheese to bowl and mix well.  Add about 1 teaspoonful to each tart shell.
6. Add one apple rose to each filled tart shell.
7. Serve at room temperature or store in refrigerator until serving.

Prep time: 30 minutes Yield: about 15-20 tarts

Mini Strawberry and Grape Fruit Cookie Cups

Hard to believe its mid July already! I feel like I haven't posted in ages, well maybe because I haven't.  My regular day job is super busy these days so I've been wiped when I come home from work.  And with 3 kids (an almost 12 year old and 9 year old twins) there is no down time anymore.  And when there is down time, like once everyone is in bed (which is later now that school is out) or late on the weekends - I kinda just want to veg and check my social media or watch a random show.  

Plus I haven't had any good food ideas in ages and baking/cooking is just not calling my name right now.  I hear all bloggers go through phases like this and that it comes in waves.  I was posting weekly for a long long time so I guess it caught up with me!

BUT I did make some treats around the 4th of July to bring to a parties including these fun little fruit cups.  Awhile back I made this strawberry and kiwi fruit pizza by Hungry Happenings and loved the way it turned out.  

It's a cookie crust with kiwi and strawberry cut up and arranged to look like watermelon! It was so simple and fun that I tried to make a mini version.

I always like to speed things up so I used store bought sugar cookie dough.  Add a square to a mini bundt pan and spread to cover the bottom of each section. 

(Be sure to spray your pan with non stick spray!)

Bake at 350 degrees for 8 mins or until edges just start to brown.

Frost cups with your favorite frosting.  I used cream cheese frosting.  Cut up strawberries and grapes into small pieces.  I used grapes because I'm allergic to kiwi but you can use either.

Add grapes around edges and strawberries in the center.

I sprinkled with some black sesame seeds (to resemble watermelon seeds) but you could use mini chocolate chips too.

I'm not sure they look like watermelon but they definitely were tasty and a great refreshing dessert for a party! 

What are you doing this summer? Have you caught the Pokemon Go craze? That's the app phenomena thats taking over the world! It combines augmented reality, gamification, and EXERCISE!! No for real exercise because you need to get outside and go find Pokemon characters! It's actually a fun activity that I can do with the kids - especially the older one.  We go for walks with the dog, catch Pokemon and have some really great mom-son conversation.  #winnerwinnerchickendinner!

Pic of our dog wondering what the heck we are doing! (Catching a Nidoran Pokemon of course!)

Mini Strawberry and Grape Fruit Cookie Cups

by Michelle Clausen July-13-2016

Ingredients

• 1 package of sugar cookie dough (ready to bake)
• 1 can cream cheese frosting
• 2 cup of cut green grapes
• 4 cups of cut strawberries (red parts only)
• black sesame seeds (or mini chocolate chips)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spray mini bundt pan with non stick spray.  
3. Add ready to bake cookie to each section of a mini bundt pan and spread dough slightly to fill bundt section.
4. Bake for 8 minutes or until cookies just start to brown.  Let cool.
5. Spread cookie with frosting.
6. Arrange green grapes slices around edge of cookies.

7. Add sliced strawberries in center of cookies.
8. Sprinkle with black sesame seeds (or mini chocolate chips)

Prep time: 30 mins Cook time: 10 mins Total time: 40 mins Yield: 20-24