Are you looking for an interesting, seasonal garnish that will dress up your dessert table this holiday season? If so, you may want to consider creating baked apple flowers. Baked apple flowers are delicate, elegant garnishes made with apple slices and sugar. They may be used to dress up holiday pies, cakes, ice cream and other tasty items. Here’s how to make one:
Supplies Needed
In order to make baked apple flower garnishes, you’ll need a bag of apples, isomalt sugar, granulated sugar and lemon juice. You’ll also need to have a Flexipan mold, a candy thermometer and a mandolin slicer handy. You can typically purchase each of those items through confectionary and restaurant supply shops.
I should mention that Flexipan molds come in different shapes and sizes. I’d suggest that you consider making your baked apple flowers with a brioche tray, a fluted tray, a bouquet tray or a petal tray. I should also mention that if you don’t want to heat the isomalt sticks in the microwave, you may want to consider investing in a SassieShot Sugar Melting Gun. It works just like a hot glue gun only it’s designed to melt isomalt sticks. You can generally purchase one for $70 through specialty retailers.
Prepare the Syrups
Start by preheating your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and making a simple syrup. In order to make a simple syrup, place a saucepan onto your stove top. Next, pour equal amounts of granulated sugar and water into the saucepan. Let the sugar and water mixture come to a boil. Once it comes to a boil, remove it from the heat and let it cool. Then add the juice of one lemon into the mixture and set it aside.
Continue by heating up some isomalt sticks in a microwave safe bowl to the soft crack stage. Afterward, set it aside. It won’t be needed until you are ready to attach the baked apple flowers to your desserts.
Prepare the Apples
Next, using the mandolin, slice an apple into paper thin slices. Dip each apple slice into the simple syrup mixture and place them inside a Flexipan mold. Then bake the apple slices in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes. You’ll want to keep an eye on them because they can quickly overcook. Once the baked apple flowers are crispy, take them out of the oven and let them cool.
Finishing Touches
After the baked apple flowers have cooled down, remove them from the Flexipan mold. Then attach the baked apple flowers to your dessert of choice using a dab of warm isomalt. That is all there is to it.
Source: Personal Experience
Killeen Gonzalez has a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. She is a former special events planner.
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