Remember when we were kids and we would spend all night out trick or treating? We would haul a bag or bucket of candy that seemed to get larger and larger as the night went on. Then finally you would see it, the last house on the block, and your tired feet would tread up to the door to ring the bell. That candy was the most worthwhile because it was the finish of a good plunder on a cool night. Then with candy brimming and your feet aching, you would head home to a cup of hot apple cider and the wonderful task at hand of picking through the candy bag and finding your favorites.
Of course, nothing compares to a hot cup of apple cider on a cold night. What better way to pair it than with a warm gooey treat? Many of the original standbys would be a piece of pumpkin or apple pie. However, there are several fall-like treats out there that satisfy one’s sweet tooth more than the classic standbys. One of my personal favorites would be the Mini Roasted Apple and Pear tarts. Now, even though these are not the traditional dessert, they are a melt-in-your-mouth delicacy, paired perfectly with a hot apple cider. A year or two ago, I went over to a friend’s house, and she had the tarts sitting out and they were probably the best fall treats I have ever tasted.
To start off you’re going to need the ingredients. Now when I make them, I follow a basic recipe and then add tips and tricks to make them better. You’re going to need brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, apples and pears, puff pastry, walnuts, and salt. The recipe is posted below to tell you the exact measurements. Then you preheat your oven and mix your first three ingredients. You want to make sure it’s nice and fluffy for the best result. Spread it out on a baking sheet, then you’re going to top it with apples and pears and roast it for 15 minutes.
You’re going to want to remove the fruit after 15 minutes and line a separate baking sheet with parchment paper, so things don’t stick. You want to unwrap your puff pastry which you can make yourself or buy store-bought. Cut them into squares and prick the center with a fork and bake for 10 minutes. Then carefully (because it’s hot!) place the fruit into the center of the pastry, sprinkling with walnuts, a sugar mixture if so desired, and a dash of salt. You’re all done!
Tips and tricks that I like to use:
I buy the store-bought puff pastry because it always tastes better than my creation but if you want to make it yourself then go for it.
I always use both apples and pears and chop them up real fine because it tastes so much better that way.
For the optional sugar mixture at the end, instead of using powdered sugar or plain white sugar, I always use brown sugar and sometimes mix it with a little melted butter. It makes a world of difference in my opinion.
I want to make sure that it’s known most of these instructions come from the recipe below and I am just adding a few helpful tips. I didn’t create the recipe but it’s one of my favorites nonetheless.
I hope you enjoy this wonderful fall treat because that’s what fall should be all about. Baking brings people together, even if it is just a pie placed on a doorstep. The world is a better place when someone takes the time to make something wonderful! Happy Baking!
Mini Roasted Apple and Pear Tarts | Better Homes & Gardens (bhg.com)