I first shared this recipe on The Recipe Critic where I am a contributor. Enjoy autumn and apple season with a delicious Apple Danish! The flaky crust, apple pie filling, crumb topping, and glaze are simply irresistible.
The cool crisp mornings means autumn is here and it’s time to eat all things apple like these Apple Danishes! These are the perfect fall treat and so easy to make with the help of puff pastry dough which makes the perfect flaky base for the apple pie filling.
Apple Danish Pastry
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I’m not a big fan of pie, but danishes I just can’t pass up. It has the perfect ratio of filling to light and flaky crust and if there is streusel and icing on top then those babies are sure to disappear fast. Just look at those many flaky layers in this Apple Danish pastry.
How to make Apple Danish:
The first step to making a beautiful Apple Danish is to prep the apple filling. It’s so simple and taste a whole lot better than canned. Just throw butter, sugar, cinnamon, and apples into a sauce pan and cook for about 8 minutes until the sugary sauce is thickened and the apples are tender. You’ll then let it cool off while you prep the other parts of the danish.
The first time I made these I left off the streusel but the second time I decided to go all in. I mean, can you ever go wrong with crumb topping, right? The topping is just 4 ingredients mixed together and sprinkled over the top. Totally worth washing the extra dish.
The base of the danish is the easiest part! The dough is puff pastry and using the frozen one that comes in a box works beautifully. Pull it out of the freezer and in 40 minutes you’re ready to roll, cut, twist, and wrap it into pretty little roses. You’ll then press the middle down to create a well for the apple filling. Brush the dough not covered by the apple filling with an egg wash so that the danish gets nice and beautifully golden. The last step is to sprinkle the tops with the crumb topping and then bake.
The glaze on top is totally optional buuuuut it’s so yummy and looks beautiful too. It’s just 3 simple ingredients and your kids will love licking the bowl clean like mine did.
Apple Danishes are best warm but if you have self-control and don’t scarf them down, they’re delicious later and even the next day. Enjoy!
HERE ARE A FEW MORE APPLE RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
- Overnight Apple French Toast Casserole
- Spiced Apple Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting
- Caramel Apple Blondies
- Gourmet Caramel Apples
- Apple Pie Bites
- Apple Crisp Short Bread Bars
TOOLS USED TO MAKE THIS DANISH PASTRY:
Half-Sheet Pan– I LOVE these pans. I’ve had the same 4 pans since I got married (8 years ago) and they are in great condition. I use them all the time for cakes, cookies, roasting vegetables, baking chicken…
Parchment Paper– I used to think parchment paper was a waste but it’s a cleaning life saver and there is no sticking! This paper has grid lines so you can cut it to just the right size.
Pot & Skillet Set– These are the skillets and pots I use. I use the small pot for the filling of these danishes. These pots have a heavy bottom making them sturdy and cook the food evenly. I use these multiple times a day.
Easy Apple Danish
Ingredients
- 1 package Puff Pastry Dough, (2 sheets) Thawed
For the Apple Filling:
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup granualted sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- pinch of salt
- 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
For the Crumb Topping:
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/4 cup flour
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
For the Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream, or milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For the Apple Filling:
- In a medium sauce pan, combine butter, sugar, water, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together. Melt over medium heat and bring to a boil. Boil 2 minutes, stirring frequently, and then add in apple. Bring back to a boil over medium-high heat and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and let cool.
For the Crumb Topping:
- Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter together and then mix in the flour until thick and crumbly. Set aside.
For Assembling:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Unfold one thawed puff pastry sheet at a time and roll out to 10x10 inches. Use a pizza cutter and make 12 even strips. Connect two strips together by overlapping by a half inch and pressing together. Twist the ribbon and then snail it around itself and press the end to the rest of the dough. Place on a parchment lined pan (6 danishes per baking sheet) and press the middle down. Place a spoonful of apple filling in the wells.
- Mix the egg and water together in a small dish and brush the pastry with it. Sprinkle the crumb topping over the tops of each danish and then bake for 16-18 minutes until edges are golden. Let cool for 5 minutes and then glaze.
For the Glaze:
- Mix glaze ingredients together and drizzle over the warm apple danish.
Delicious! Great recipe with clear directions and photos. My family raved about them. Thank you!
Truly beautiful work ! Thank you very much !