Apple Cinnamon Puff Pastry Twists

This post originally appeared on The Confident Mom’s Blog, where How To: Simplify regularly contributes monthly guest posts filled with tips, tricks and recipes to simplify life in the kitchen.

Having never worked with puff pastry dough prior to this recipe, I bought frozen puff pastry and allowed it to sit in my freezer for days and days…and days…and days…well, you get the picture. When I finally gathered up enough courage to remove the box from my freezer and let the dough thaw, I took a couple deep breaths and got to work creating these delicious Apple Cinnamon Puff Pastry Twists.

Ever since I created this twist recipe, I was no longer afraid of the magical and wonderful puff pastry dough. My phobia of puff pastry soon morphed into Olive and Cheese Puff Pastry Squares, Mozzarella and Basil Puff Pastry Twists and Nutella and Coconut Puffs. I have made a promise to myself to always keep at least one box of puff pastry dough in the freezer because it is perfect to have on hand when you’re craving something sweet or you need to put together an appetizer.

If you’ve never baked with puff pastry, don’t be intimidated. I’m telling you right now…this dough is easy to handle and it is so delicious. These puff pastry twists were so quick to prepare and they were devoured as soon as I removed them from the oven.

Apple Cinnamon Puff Pastry Twists

Ingredients:

• 1 puff frozen pastry dough, thawed
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 cup apple cinnamon jam (with chunks of apple — I used World Market’s Apple Cinnamon Jam)
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Unfold dough onto a lightly floured surface. With a rolling pin, roll the dough into a 9×13 rectangle (measurement is only approximate). Using a pastry scraper or a pizza cutter, cut dough down the middle.
3. Whisk together egg and water and brush the egg wash on each rectangle of puff pastry dough (only on one side) and reserve any leftover egg wash.
4. Spread the apple cinnamon jam on one half of the pastry. Sprinkle 1 1/2 tablespoons of light brown sugar over the jam.
5. Place the other half of the pastry (egg wash side down) on top of the jam and press the two halves together using your hands or roll lightly with the rolling pin. Gently press edges to seal.
6. Using the pastry scraper or pizza cutter, cut the pastry into 1/2 inch strips.
7. Working one at a time, gently twist each strip and lay on baking sheet making sure to press down the ends so that they don’t curl when baking. When all of the strips have been twisted and placed on the baking sheet, lightly brush each twist with the remaining egg wash and sprinkle with the remaining brown sugar.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the twists are golden brown.
9. Remove from the oven and serve warm.