Description
This Apple Danish recipe features flaky puff pastry twisted into charming nests filled with a smooth cream cheese mixture and warm, cinnamon-spiced apple filling. Perfectly golden and lightly sweetened, these pastries are easy to prepare and ideal for a cozy breakfast or delightful dessert.
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 1 large baking apple (peeled, cored, and diced into ½” pieces)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 3 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
- ½ tablespoon granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Puff Pastry & Finishing
- 2 sheets puff pastry (thawed)
- 1 large egg (for egg wash)
- Small splash of water (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400℉ (204℃) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cook Apple Filling: Place the diced apples, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a large pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples start to soften, about 5-7 minutes.
- Thicken Filling: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to form a slurry. Add this slurry to the apples and stir continuously for about 30 seconds until the mixture begins to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Transfer the filling to a plate or bowl to cool to room temperature.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, use a rubber spatula to combine the room temperature cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Roll Out Puff Pastry: Unfold both sheets of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll each out to about 1/16 inch thickness, maintaining a square or rectangular shape.
- Cut Pastry Strips: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut each sheet of pastry into 1-inch wide strips. You should get about 9-10 strips per sheet.
- Form Pastry Nests: On the prepared baking sheet, take one strip and twist it into a corkscrew shape starting from one edge. Wet the edge of this strip with water to help seal, then press the next strip onto it and twist similarly. Coil the second strip around the first to form a spiral. Repeat this process with a third strip, coiling and tucking the end underneath to complete one nest. Repeat to make six nests total.
- Shape and Secure Nests: Gently press down in the center of each nest to create a 2-inch wide well and seal edges to ensure no filling spills out during baking.
- Apply Egg Wash: Whisk the egg with a small splash of water and brush this egg wash generously over the entire surface of each pastry nest, including the centers, to achieve a golden, glossy finish.
- Fill Pastry Nests: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each nest, then top with a spoonful of the cooled apple pie filling.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the Danish from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before serving warm and enjoying.
Notes
- Use a tart baking apple like Granny Smith for the best balance of sweetness and acidity.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy mixing and smooth texture.
- If puff pastry is too cold, let it thaw properly before rolling to prevent cracking.
- The egg wash gives the Danish a beautiful golden shine, so don’t skip this step.
- These Danish pastries are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently in the oven to restore crispiness before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast Pastry
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
