Apple Cheese Danishes (Printer-friendly)
Flaky golden pastries with creamy cheese filling and warm cinnamon-spiced apples.
# What You Need:
→ Pastry
01 - 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
02 - 1 large egg, beaten for egg wash
→ Cream Cheese Filling
03 - 6 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
04 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
05 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
→ Apple Filling
06 - 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced (tart varieties such as Granny Smith recommended)
07 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
08 - 2 tbsp packed brown sugar
09 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
11 - 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
→ Decoration
12 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar
13 - 2 to 3 tsp milk or lemon juice for drizzle consistency
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the apples are tender and the juices have reduced to a syrupy glaze. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
03 - In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
04 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry sheet to smooth any creases. Cut into 8 equal squares. Place the squares on the prepared baking tray. Using a sharp knife, lightly score a smaller square border inside each pastry square without cutting all the way through. Prick the inner square several times with a fork to prevent excessive puffing.
05 - Spread a generous spoonful of the cream cheese filling in the center of each pastry square, staying within the scored border. Top the cream cheese with a spoonful of the cooled apple mixture.
06 - Brush the exposed pastry edges with the beaten egg to ensure a deep golden finish during baking.
07 - Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown. Rotate the tray halfway through for even browning.
08 - Allow the danishes to cool on the tray for 10 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk the powdered sugar with enough milk or lemon juice to reach a drizzle consistency. Use a spoon to zigzag the icing over the cooled danishes.
09 - Serve warm or at room temperature. Danishes are best enjoyed fresh.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The contrast between the tangy cream cheese and the warmly spiced apple filling makes each bite feel like two desserts in one.
- Using frozen puff pastry means you get bakery level results without spending half your day laminating dough by hand.
02 -
- If your apple filling is even slightly warm when you spoon it onto the cream cheese, the cheese will melt and leak out the sides before the pastry has a chance to seal and puff properly.
- Pressing too hard when you score the inner square will cut through the pastry layer, causing the filling to seep underneath and stick to the parchment paper.
03 -
- Dust your knife with a little flour before cutting the pastry sheet so the edges stay clean and layers separate properly as they puff.
- Chill the assembled danishes on the tray for ten minutes before baking if your kitchen is hot, which helps the pastry hold its shape and rise evenly.