Apple Cheese Danishes (Printable)
Flaky puff pastries filled with sweet cream cheese and warm cinnamon-spiced apples, baked until golden.
# What You'll 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
→ Spiced 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
→ Glaze
12 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 2 to 3 tsp milk or lemon juice
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until apples are tender and coated in a thick syrup. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
03 - In a mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese with granulated sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
04 - Unfold thawed puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface and roll gently to smooth creases. Cut into 8 equal squares. Transfer squares to the prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, lightly score a smaller square border inside each piece about 1/2 inch from the edge, being careful not to cut through the dough. Prick the inner square several times with a fork.
05 - Spread approximately one tablespoon of cream cheese filling onto the center of each pastry square, staying within the scored border. Spoon a generous portion of cooled apple filling over the cream cheese layer.
06 - Brush the exposed pastry edges with beaten egg to promote even browning during baking.
07 - Bake on the center rack for 18 to 22 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through, until pastry is deeply golden and puffed. Transfer to a wire cooling rack.
08 - Allow danishes to cool slightly. Whisk powdered sugar with milk or lemon juice until a drizzle consistency is reached. Use a spoon to zigzag the glaze over each danish. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Store bought puff pastry does all the heavy lifting so you look like a genius with barely any effort.
- The cream cheese and spiced apple combo tastes like autumn got wrapped in a buttery blanket.
- You can prep the fillings the night before and assemble everything in under ten minutes.
02 -
- If your puff pastry gets too warm while you are working with it, pop everything in the fridge for ten minutes because warm pastry will not puff properly in the oven.
- Do not skip pricking the center with a fork, otherwise the middle rises and pushes all your beautiful filling over the edges.
03 -
- Dust your work surface with powdered sugar instead of flour when rolling out puff pastry, it adds a subtle sweetness and prevents sticking without toughening the dough.
- Always bake puff pastry in the upper third of your oven where the heat is most even and consistent for maximum rise.