Decadent Salted Caramel Apple Pastry Cups
Indulge in the perfect harmony of flavors with these Decadent Salted Caramel Apple Pastry Cups. Each cup features a tender, flaky pastry filled with tender, spiced Granny Smith apples and crunchy pecans. Drizzled with a luscious salted caramel sauce and topped with a creamy frosting, these delightful treats are a perfect dessert for gatherings or a cozy night in. Warm from the oven, they are sure to impress family and friends with their rich flavors and beautiful presentation.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Rhodes frozen dinner rolls
12 (thawed but still cold)
Granny Smith apples
3 (peeled, cored, and finely chopped)
Chopped pecans
3/4 cup
Brown sugar
6 tablespoons
Cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons
Nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon
Butter
1 tablespoon (melted)
Butter
1/2 cup (softened)
Cream cheese
4 ounces (softened)
Powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups
Caramel sauce
1/2 cup
Salt
1/8 teaspoon
Instructions
1
Lightly spray a clean countertop with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2
Using your hands or a rolling pin, flatten each thawed roll into a 5-inch round circle, ensuring they are even in thickness.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped apples, chopped pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted butter. Stir the mixture until well combined and set aside.
4
Take a dough circle and place approximately 2 tablespoons of the apple mixture in the center of each circle.
5
Gently fold the edges of each dough circle over the apple mixture, pinching it closed to create a cup shape. Carefully place each filled cup into a greased muffin tin.
6
Once all cups are filled and placed in the muffin tin, cover them loosely with sprayed plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm area for 30-45 minutes, or until they have doubled in size.
7
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). After the dough has risen, remove the plastic wrap and bake the pastry cups for 12-15 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
8
After baking, carefully remove the cups from the muffin tin and let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before frosting.
9
For the frosting, beat together the softened cream cheese and softened butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until well blended.
10
Mix the salt into the caramel sauce, then fold the salted caramel sauce into the cream cheese mixture until thoroughly combined.
11
While the apple cups are still warm, generously frost each one with the salted caramel cream cheese frosting, and drizzle additional caramel on top if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Salted Caramel Apple Pastry Cups?
They are tender, flaky pastry cups filled with spiced Granny Smith apples and pecans, finished with a salted caramel cream cheese frosting.
What kind of dough is used for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 12 Rhodes frozen dinner rolls that have been thawed but are still cold.
Which apples work best for the filling?
Granny Smith apples are recommended for their tart flavor and ability to hold their shape during baking.
How should the apples be prepared?
The apples should be peeled, cored, and finely chopped before being mixed with the other filling ingredients.
Are there nuts in this recipe?
Yes, the filling includes 3/4 cup of chopped pecans for added crunch.
What spices provide the flavor in the apple mixture?
The apple filling is seasoned with 1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon and 3/4 teaspoon of nutmeg.
How large should I flatten the dough rolls?
Each thawed roll should be flattened into a 5-inch round circle of even thickness.
How much apple filling goes into each pastry cup?
Place approximately 2 tablespoons of the prepared apple mixture in the center of each dough circle.
How do I shape the pastry cups?
Gently fold the edges of the dough circle over the apple mixture and pinch it closed to create a cup shape.
Do I need to grease the muffin tin?
Yes, you should place each filled cup into a greased muffin tin to prevent sticking.
How long do the pastry cups need to rise?
The cups should rise in a warm area for 30 to 45 minutes, or until they have doubled in size.
What is the baking temperature for this recipe?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How long should I bake the apple pastry cups?
Bake the cups for 12 to 15 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
What should I do after the cups are finished baking?
Carefully remove them from the muffin tin and let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before frosting.
How is the frosting made?
Beat together softened cream cheese and butter, gradually add powdered sugar, then fold in salted caramel sauce.
What are the ingredients for the salted caramel frosting?
You will need 4 ounces of softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup of softened butter, 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, 1/2 cup of caramel sauce, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt.
How do I make the caramel sauce 'salted'?
Simply mix 1/8 teaspoon of salt into 1/2 cup of caramel sauce before folding it into the frosting mixture.
When is the best time to frost the pastry cups?
Frost the apple cups while they are still warm to allow the frosting to settle perfectly.
Can I add extra toppings?
Yes, you can drizzle additional caramel sauce on top of the frosted cups if desired.
How can I prevent the dough from sticking to the counter?
Lightly spray your clean countertop with non-stick cooking spray before rolling out the dough.
How much brown sugar is in the filling?
The filling uses 6 tablespoons of brown sugar.
Is butter used in the filling?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of melted butter is stirred into the apple and pecan mixture.
How many pastry cups does this recipe make?
This recipe yields 12 decadent salted caramel apple pastry cups.
What type of sugar is used for the frosting?
Powdered sugar (also known as confectioners' sugar) is used to ensure a smooth frosting texture.
Should the cream cheese be cold for the frosting?
No, the cream cheese should be softened to ensure it beats smoothly with the butter.
What should I use to cover the dough while it rises?
Use plastic wrap that has been lightly sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
Can I use a rolling pin for the dough?
Yes, you can use either your hands or a rolling pin to flatten the dinner rolls.
What makes the cups tender?
The combination of the enriched dough from the dinner rolls and the moisture from the apple filling and butter.
Is this a good dessert for parties?
Yes, their beautiful presentation and individual serving size make them perfect for gatherings.
Can I use walnuts instead of pecans?
Yes, walnuts can be used as a substitute for pecans if you prefer their flavor profile.