Apple honey roses are a simple yet beautiful dessert. They are delicious served on their own, or with a little whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
For special occasions, I like to combine many apple roses to make a truly stunning dairy-free apple rose tart.
Apple flowers are an elegant Rosh Hashanah dessert
Apples and honey are traditionally eaten on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, to symbolize hope for a sweet year ahead. I love this tradition and it is one my family always incorporates into our New Year’s celebration.
This year, I wanted to make a simple yet elegant dessert for my family to enjoy on Rosh Hashanah. Nothing is simpler than a baked apple for dessert.
Adding a touch of honey and sprinkle of cinnamon rounds out the flavors and make the apple truly delicious. And by creating delicate slices in the apple prior to baking, it can easily be arranged into a flower.
Easy steps to make Apple Roses:
- Peel apples
- Core apples
- Cut apples in half and uniformly slice into thin strips and transfer sliced apples to baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicon baking liner
- Microwave honey (or maple syrup) in a small dish for 20 seconds, stir in cinnamon
- Using a pastry brush (or back of spoon), coat sliced apples in honey cinnamon mixture
- Bake in oven for 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit and then cool completely on baking sheet
- Once completely cool, use your hands to and gently squeeze sliced apples to create a long strip. Ensure that sliced apples are evenly distributed
- Gently roll strip of apple slices into a tight spiral that resembles a rose.
- Coil a small apple slice (or piece of apple slice into a tight coil and insert into center of rose to complete the apple flower. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with mint leaves (optional).
Baked Honey Apple Rose Recipe
The apple honey roses can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for several days ahead of serving
Apple Honey Roses
Easy to make baked honey apple roses are a delicious and beautiful simple dessert. {Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Paleo}
Ingredients
- 2 apples * (any apple will work, though I typically use Fuji or Gala)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 8 mint leaves, for garnish (optional, basil and sage also work well)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
- Wash and dry apples
- Peel and core apples
- Cut apples in half
- Uniformly slice apples into thin strips
- Transfer sliced apples to baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicon baking liner
- Microwave honey in a small dish for 20 seconds. Add cinnamon and mix until combined
- Using a pastry brush (or back of spoon), coat sliced apples in honey cinnamon mixture
- Bake in oven for 20 minutes at 400°F and then cool for 5 to 10 minutes on baking sheet
- Once cool, use your fingers and gently squeeze sliced apples to create a long strip. Ensure that apple slices are evenly distributed
- Gently roll apple slice strip into a tight spiral
- Transfer apple roses to a serving dish
- Garnish with mint or basil leaves (optional). Honey apple roses can be served right away or refrigerated up to overnight. They are delicious served cold or at room temperature
- If you prefer the look of a more open rose, you can gently press the apple petals starting from the middle and working out
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 80Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 16gProtein: 0g
*Note: Apples consistently test positive for pesticide residue in the USDA’s annual produce analysis. That is why I choose to purchase organic apples or buy them from a farmer that does not use pesticides. Read more about pesticides and produce.
Simple variations for honey baked apple roses:
- For a more rustic looking rose, do not remove apple peel prior to slicing into thin strips
- For red roses, simmer 1 cup of hibiscus tea with honey in a medium saucepan until reduced to about 1 tablespoon of liquid. Omit cinnamon and coat apple slices with hibiscus honey sauce prior to baking
- Maple syrup can be used in place of honey to make the baked apple roses vegan
Other delicious grain-free desserts you may enjoy:
Pin recipe for later:
Nutrition information (per serving):
- 52 calories
- 2 g added sugar
- 2 g fiber
- 0 g protein
- 0 g fat
Sarah
Sunday 14th of April 2019
Hi there, just wondering how long these would keep? I will be making a rustic style wedding cake next autumn and think these would look great on it. ?
Meredith
Monday 15th of April 2019
Hi Sarah! What a beautiful idea for a wedding cake!! These apple roses will keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Just make sure to store them already shaped into roses and flat in an air-tight container.
[email protected] A Dash of Cinnamon
Thursday 6th of September 2018
So pretty! And so clean too! I love it.
Natalie
Thursday 6th of September 2018
These look amazing! Such a great idea for a dessert for Rosh Hashanah! Delicious!
Marie
Wednesday 5th of September 2018
These apple roses are so pretty! Love the step-by-step photos. They would look so perfect on top of an apple cake or cupcake!
Katie
Wednesday 5th of September 2018
These are beautiful! Perfect for a ladies brunch or even for a girl's tea party!