Puff Pastry Roses & A Dinner For A 40th Anniversary!

I have seen this beautiful dessert on Facebook several times over the last month or two. The second I saw it I knew I had to try it! I knew this was something that my mother would love, not only it is beautiful, but also tastes great!!!

This year Mothers Day is actually the same day as my parents 40th anniversary. My brothers and I have been secretly planning for my older brother to come up the Friday night before (last night) and have a surprise dinner, so I thought that would be the perfect time to make this beautiful dessert!

I also tried a few new recipes for dinner. I had to find something that would stay well for a few hours because we took it out to Arrington Vineyards. So I made all the food and dessert and we took it out to the country hills to a beautiful local vineyard on one of the most beautiful nights this spring. It was a fantastic evening and I am so grateful my brother was able to come up!!

The most important thing here is to get the apples super thin! This was my test 

run several weeks ago, for last nights actual dessert I sliced much thinner!

Lemon in water. Microwave all the apple slices for 3 minutes.

3 T of apricot preserves with 1 T water. Microwave 1 minute.

Roll out a thawed puff pastry.

Slice into 6 even pieces.

Put apricot preserves on each slice.

Spread out apples overlapping and a little cinnamon.

Fold over and then roll.

Looks like a rose!

With thinner apple slices it looks even better!

Place the roses in a muffin pan and cook for 40-45 minutes.

Aren't they beautiful!?

Add a little powdered sugar.

Here was a rose from last night with the thinner slices. I think they turned out beautifully! A perfect Mother's Day dessert!

Here is the dinner I cooked. I wasn't able to take many pictures because I was in a hurry to get it all finished and out the door. Asparagus, always a favorite!! Prosciutto and rosemary wrapped chicken thighs (I never thought I would make a Rachel Ray recipe, but when something looks good it doesn't matter where you get the recipe), a new recipe I'll be making again!! And Pioneer Woman's roasted carrots, not pictured is the amazing vinaigrette you add on top right before serving that has fresh thyme, rosemary, dijon mustard, garlic, a little white wine vinegar, and olive oil. I also picked up some dinner rolls, if you have guys whether brothers, husband, or dad, you know the rolls are important!

My brother Joel (who lives in Mississippi), my amazing dad, my beautiful Mom, me, and my baby brother Jesse (who is a traveler and almost never in the States anymore).

40 years of marriage! Words can not express how grateful I am to them for their perseverance and love for each other! Without them I would be nothing! I love them to the moon!

I am so blessed and grateful for my family and the sacrifices they all made to pull off a wonderful evening!!