6. Slice into Pinwheels
Once the pastry is rolled, use a sharp knife to slice the log into even pieces, approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. These slices will form your pinwheels. Aim to get 12-16 pinwheels, depending on the size of your pastry sheets and how thick you prefer each one.
7. Arrange on a Baking Sheet
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Arrange the pinwheels on the baking sheet, leaving some space between each one to allow for expansion during baking. The butter and filling may cause the pinwheels to spread slightly, so ensure they aren’t too close together.
8. Bake the Pinwheels
Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the pinwheels are golden brown and crispy. The puff pastry should puff up and turn flaky, while the sugar and apple filling will caramelize slightly, giving the pinwheels a beautiful glaze. Keep a close eye on them during the final few minutes to prevent over-browning.
See also Festive Pineapple Christmas Balls
9. Cool and Serve
Once baked, remove the pinwheels from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. These pastries are best enjoyed warm, when the buttery layers are crisp and the apple-cinnamon filling is fragrant and soft. Serve them as is, or pair them with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness.
Nutrition Information (per pinwheel)
Calories: 150
Total Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 12mg
Sodium: 100mg
Total Carbohydrates: 14g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 5g
Protein: 2g
Tips for Perfect Apple Cinnamon Pinwheels
Pastry Handling: Always work with cold puff pastry to ensure it remains easy to handle and bakes up flaky. If the pastry becomes too warm, pop it into the fridge for a few minutes before continuing.
Apple Varieties: Experiment with different apple varieties to adjust the sweetness and tartness of the filling. A mix of sweet and tart apples can add complexity to the flavor.
Add-ons: For an extra touch of decadence, you can drizzle a simple vanilla glaze over the cooled pinwheels, or sprinkle them with chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts before baking for added crunch.
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