Delicious Apple Cheese Danishes (Printable)
Flaky pastries with sweet cheese and spiced apple filling.
# Ingredient List:
→ Pastry Base
01 - 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
02 - 1 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
→ Icing Decoration
12 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar
13 - 2–3 tsp milk or lemon juice
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
02 - In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring often, until apples are soft and syrupy. Set aside to cool.
03 - Beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
04 - Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to smooth out any creases. Cut the pastry sheet into 8 equal squares.
05 - Place the pastry squares on the prepared baking tray. Lightly score a smaller square border inside each piece without cutting all the way through, and prick the center area with a fork.
06 - Spread a spoonful of the cream cheese filling in the center of each pastry, keeping it within the scored border. Top generously with the cooled apple mixture.
07 - Brush the exposed pastry edges with the beaten egg to promote golden browning.
08 - Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
09 - Allow the danishes to cool slightly. If desired, mix powdered sugar with just enough milk or lemon juice to create a drizzle, and zigzag it over the pastries. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You get that impressive bakery look without any complex yeast dough techniques.
- The combination of tart apples and sweet creamy filling is irresistible.
02 -
- Let the apple filling cool completely before assembling to prevent the pastry from getting soggy.
- Work quickly with the puff pastry to keep it cold, ensuring the best layers in the oven.
03 -
- Chill the baking sheet in the freezer for 10 minutes before baking to help the pastry puff up even higher.
- Sprinkle a little coarse sugar on the edges before baking for a crunchy sparkly finish.