Fruit plait

Kids will love helping make this easy spiced dessert – similar to an apple and pear strudel, but with ready-rolled puff pastry instead of filo

  • Prep:20 mins
    Cook:30 mins
    plus soaking
  • Serves 4
  • Easy

Nutrition per serving

  • kcal 532
  • fat 23g
  • saturates 10g
  • carbs 71g
  • sugars 40g
  • fibre 4g
  • protein 8g
  • salt 0.7g

Ingredients

  • 1 ready-made 320g puff pastry sheet
  • 1 tbsp plain flour
  • 1 tsp vegetable oil, for greasing
  • 2 tbsp sultanas
  • 2 eating apples
  • 2 pears
  • 2 tbsp clear honey
  • 3 tbsp apricot jam
  • pinch of mixed spice
  • pinch of cinnamon
  • 1 egg
  • crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream, to serve

Method

  1. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured work surface into a large rectangle. Transfer to a lightly greased baking tray.

  2. Put the sultanas in a small mixing bowl with just enough warm water to cover them, and soak for 10 mins.

  3. Core the apples and pears and slice them into even-sized pieces – you don’t need to peel them. Put the pieces in a bowl and add the honey and 2 tbsp apricot jam. Drain the soaked sultanas and add them to the mixture. Stir well and add the mixed spice and cinnamon to taste.

  4. Spoon the mixture in a thick strip down the centre of the puff pastry. Use a sharp knife to make roughly 8 diagonal cuts down each side of the pastry like a lattice. Fold the pastry strips alternately across the filling like a plait.

  5. Crack the egg into a bowl, whisk with a fork and, using a pastry brush, glaze the top of the puff pastry.

  6. Place the plait in the oven and bake for 25-30 mins or until the apples are soft and the pastry is golden brown. Serve with crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream.

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