While scrolling through a category of apple-related photos on a free photo site, a photo of baked apple roses slid into view. At the sight of that exquisite, powdered sugar-dusted sweetness I started drooling. Considering that this was the first time I had ever seen or heard of baked apple roses, I could only imagine how heavenly they must taste, especially when freshly baked and drizzled with the golden elixir of honey.
After the discovery of these baked apple roses, I ventured forth to learn how to make them. A Google search produced numerous recipes. Some were easy. Others were more involved. But I did glean the basic idea: core and slice a few apples into really thin slices, line them up on a strip of pastry, layering them slightly (see photo below), then fold the pastry in half (up over the slices), roll the strip up, place in a muffin tin, and bake. When the apple roses are done baking, sprinkle on a dusting of powdered sugar, drizzle with honey, and savor each bite.
In this colorful Autumn season (which is the perfect time for baked apple roses), and with Thanksgiving right around the corner, one of the things I am most certainly thankful for is the life-affirming capabilities of my taste buds. Whenever I come across an undeniably delicious dessert that makes my mouth water, it is confirmation that it's great to be alive!
