These festive cranberry-apple puff pastry squares are a delightful way to serve mini apple tarts for autumn or Christmas. Baked until the pastry is flaky and golden, they’re perfect topped with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

An Easy Christmas Puff Pastry Recipe

This simple apple tart recipe uses store-bought puff pastry for an effortless crust. The filling combines thinly sliced fresh apples with classic brown sugar and cinnamon for comforting, familiar flavor.

Add dried cranberries, raisins and chopped pecans for festive color and crunch — each little square tastes like a bite of holiday cheer.

Even Better A La Mode

Serve warm from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream and a pinch of cinnamon. They’re also lovely dusted with powdered sugar for breakfast alongside a cozy cup of coffee.

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This recipe yields rustic individual apple tarts that are quick to assemble thanks to the puff pastry sheets. A few simple ingredients give you a flavorful filling that bakes into golden, juicy mini tarts.

Use crisp, fruity red apples such as Pink Lady, Gala, or Honeycrisp for best results.

Ingredients To Make Quick Christmas Apple Pie Puff Pastry Squares

• 2 sheets thawed store-bought puff pastry (about 2 sheets per box)
• 3 large apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Pink Lady), thinly sliced
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp almond extract (optional) or 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup raisins (dark, golden, or currants are fine)
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional for crunch)

Make Quick Christmas Cranberry Raisin Apple Pie Puff Pastry Squares

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Peel, core and slice the apples into about 1/4-inch slices and place them in a large bowl.

Sprinkle the apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice and almond extract, and toss to coat.

Add Dried Cranberries and Raisins

Stir in the dried cranberries and raisins until the fruit is evenly coated. Let the mixture sit 15–20 minutes so the apples release their juices and the dried fruit softens slightly.

It’s normal for the dried fruit to settle; stir before assembling to redistribute the juices and flavor.

Roll Out the Puff Pastry Sheets For The Mini Apple Pie Squares

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unfold thawed puff pastry and roll each sheet to an 11 x 13-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface, keeping the dough cool so it doesn’t stick.

Working With Frozen Puff Pastry

Make sure puff pastry is fully thawed before unfolding. Partially thawed pastry will crack at the folds. Leave it at room temperature 20–30 minutes so it opens easily.

Brush The Puff Pastry with Melted Butter and Cut Into Squares

Brush each rolled sheet with melted butter. Cut each sheet into nine equal squares and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet using a thin spatula.

Cut Borders Into The Puff Pastry For the Apple Filling

Lightly score a border inside each square with a paring knife, cutting just through the top layer. This creates a raised edge for the filling to bake in.

Top The Puff Pastry with the Apple Mixture

Fill each square with the apple mixture, stirring to bring any dried fruit up from the bottom of the bowl. Layer apple slices inside the scored border and drizzle a teaspoon of the juices from the bowl over each tart for extra moisture.

Bake The Individual Apple Pie Squares Until Golden and Puffy

Bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes, or until the borders are puffed and golden brown.

Serve Warm with Ice Cream or Dust with Powdered Sugar

Remove from the oven and cool briefly on a rack. Serve warm topped with ice cream, or let them cool completely and dust with powdered sugar. These open-faced squares also work as quick turnovers if you prefer a covered pastry — simply use larger squares and fold over the filling, sealing the edges.

These easy puff pastry squares make lovely hand-held desserts for holiday gatherings or a weekend after apple picking. Press edges well if you fold them to prevent leaks, and remember to spoon in some of the released juices for a juicy filling.

Enjoy flaky puff pastry topped with warm spiced apples throughout the season. These mini tarts pair nicely with coffee or tea after a holiday meal.