Apple Puff Pastry Squares

To prepare the apple puff pastry squares, first clean the apples. Remove the core and cut them into rather thin slices 1. In a saucepan, melt the butter then add the lime zest 2 and the apples 3.

Add the sugar 4, the lime juice 5 and mix 6. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes. A syrup will form which will gradually thicken and caramelize, while the apples will crumble and take on the consistency of a compote. Once ready, let it cool completely.

On a baking sheet covered with parchment paper, place the puff pastry and prick it with the tines of a fork 7. Spread the flaked almonds on the surface 8, which will enrich the filling and partially protect the pastry from the moisture of the filling. Pour the apple compote 9 and spread it over the entire surface up to 2 cm from the edges.

Overlap a second puff pastry 10 and seal the edges well 11. Brush with melted butter 12.

Sprinkle the surface first with the flaked almonds 13 and then with the sugar 14. With a knife, making a pressure such as to cut the upper puff pastry and the filling but not the lower puff pastry, make lines on the surface of the puff pastry: 4 on the short side and 6 on the long side 15. In this way you will form the squares.

Once this operation is done 16, bake in a static oven at 180°C for 35-40 minutes 17. For a perfect browning, check during the final minutes that the sugar has caramelized; if this is not the case, put the baking sheet on the top shelf of the oven and continue cooking for a few more minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool. Detach the squares, with your hands or with a knife, and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Your apple puff pastry squares are ready to be enjoyed 18.