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Delightful Caramel Apple & Brie Christmas Tree Tartlets

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These delightful Caramel Apple & Brie Christmas Tree Tartlets are a perfect festive treat!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1sheet puff pastry, thawed if frozen
  • 1egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • 2Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apples, thinly sliced
  • 1 tsplemon juice
  • 1 tbspbrown sugar
  • 1pinch ground cinnamon
  • 120 gbrie cheese, cut into wedges
  • 1/2 cupgranulated sugar
  • 2 tbspbutter
  • 1/4 cupheavy cream
  • 1pinch sea salt
  • 1 tbsppowdered sugar (for garnish)
  • 8fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Begin by rolling out your thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. The key is to maintain a uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and a flaky texture. Use a cookie cutter or a glass to cut the pastry into small rounds, ideally around three to four inches in diameter. Once you have your rounds, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Gently prick the center of each round with a fork, which allows steam to escape during baking. This step is crucial to prevent the crust from puffing up too much in the center. Brush the edges of the pastry circles with the beaten egg wash to give them that beautiful golden color as they bake.
  2. Now that your pastry is assembled, it’s time to bake it! Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the pastry turns a lovely golden brown. Keep an eye on them; ovens vary! Once baked, remove the tartlet bases from the oven and allow them to cool completely. This cooling period is crucial, as it sets the stage for adding your delectable toppings without causing a soggy crust.
  3. In a mixing bowl, toss the thinly sliced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon to coat them evenly. This not only enhances the flavor but also helps to keep the apples from browning. Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add the seasoned apple slices. Sauté for about 3 to 4 minutes, until they are just softened but still hold their shape. The goal here is to caramelize the apples slightly while retaining their tart bite, which will complement the sweetness of the caramel and the richness of the brie perfectly.
  4. Once your pastry bases have cooled and the apples are sautéed, it’s time to start building your Christmas tree towers! Place two to three wedges of brie cheese on top of each pastry round, allowing it to begin melting slightly from the warmth of the apples. Then, artfully arrange the sautéed apple slices in a spiral pattern on top of the cheese. This isn’t just for aesthetics; the spiral enhances the presentation, making them resemble a festive Christmas tree!
  5. For the crowning touch on your tartlets, you’ll want to prepare a rich caramel sauce. In a saucepan, heat the granulated sugar over medium heat until it melts and turns a lovely golden color. Keep an eye on it, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Once the sugar has achieved that inviting amber hue, stir in the butter, letting it melt into the mixture. Next, slowly whisk in the heavy cream; it’ll bubble slightly. Add a pinch of sea salt to balance the sweetness and stir until the caramel is smooth and glossy.
  6. Now comes the fun part! Drizzle the warm caramel sauce over each assembled tartlet, letting it cascade down like a sweet waterfall. Finally, finish each tartlet with a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a snowy effect and place a fresh rosemary sprig on top for a touch of festive greenery.

Notes

Ensure that the oven temperature is correct; an overheated oven can burn the edges of the pastry.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mykitchenstorie.com/delightful-caramel-apple-brie-christmas-tree-tartl/