Apple Cheese Danishes (Print Version)
Flaky puff pastry squares filled with sweet cream cheese and 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
→ Apple Filling
06 - 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced (about 2 cups)
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 - 2–3 tsp milk or lemon juice
# How to Make It:
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 let cool completely.
03 - In a mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
04 - Unfold puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll gently to smooth out creases. Cut into 8 equal squares and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, lightly score a smaller square border inside each piece without cutting all the way through. Prick the center area several times with a fork to prevent excessive puffing.
05 - Spread approximately one tablespoon of cream cheese filling in the center of each pastry square, staying within the scored border. Spoon a generous portion of the cooled apple mixture on top of 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, or until pastry is puffed and deep golden brown. Rotate the tray halfway through for even coloring if needed.
08 - Allow danishes to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Whisk powdered sugar with enough milk or lemon juice to reach a drizzle consistency. Use a spoon to zigzag the glaze over each danish. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- That golden flaky exterior shattering between your teeth while warm spiced apples and tangy cream cheese melt together is honestly unfair.
- Frozen puff pastry does all the heavy lifting so you look like a pastry genius with barely any effort.
02 -
- If your apple filling is even slightly warm when you spoon it onto the cream cheese, the cheese will melt and run off the pastry in a very sad way.
- Scoring the inner square without cutting all the way through is the trick that makes the edges puff up while the center stays flat enough to hold the filling.
03 -
- Dust your knife with a little flour before cutting the pastry squares so the blade does not drag and seal the edges shut, which prevents proper puffing.
- A sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts over the apple filling before baking adds a crunch that takes these from great to unforgettable.