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

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

Have 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.

Put the sultanas in a small mixing bowl with just enough warm water to cover them, and soak for 10 mins.
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.
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.
Crack the egg into a bowl, whisk with a fork and, using a pastry brush, glaze the top of the puff pastry.
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.