Delicious Apple Cheese Danishes (Printer-friendly)
Flaky, golden puff pastry filled with creamy sweet cheese and spiced apples.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Pastry Base
01 - 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
02 - 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
→ Cream Cheese Filling
03 - 6 oz cream cheese, softened
04 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
05 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Spiced Apple Filling
06 - 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced
07 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
08 - 2 tbsp brown sugar
09 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
11 - 1 tsp lemon juice
→ Decoration
12 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar
13 - 2-3 tsp milk or lemon juice
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring often, until apples are soft and syrupy. Allow to cool slightly.
03 - Beat together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
04 - Roll out puff pastry on a floured surface to smooth any creases. Cut into 8 equal squares.
05 - Place squares on the prepared tray. Lightly score a smaller square inside each (do not cut all the way through) and prick the center area with a fork.
06 - Spread a spoonful of cream cheese filling in the center of each pastry. Top with a spoonful of the cooled apple mixture.
07 - Brush the exposed edges of the pastry with the beaten egg.
08 - Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
09 - Allow to cool slightly. For the optional icing, mix powdered sugar with enough milk or lemon juice to create a drizzle consistency and zigzag over the danishes.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The contrast of the flaky, salty pastry against the sweet, spiced fruit is absolutely addictive.
- They look incredibly impressive coming out of the oven but require surprisingly little effort.
02 -
- Ensure the apple filling cools completely before assembling, otherwise the heat will melt the pastry butter before it hits the oven.
- Do not skip pricking the center of the pastry or the middle will puff up too high and push your filling off.
03 -
- Work quickly with the dough to prevent it from becoming sticky and warm.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container, but giving them a quick reheat in the oven restores the crispness.