I love shortcut recipes and this Apple Danish Recipe fits the bill! Start with pre-made dough and whip up the tastiest and easiest apple danishes for a sweet breakfast treat.
This apple danish pastry is sure to be a hit with the whole family. Next time, try our mini apple pie tarts, or check out this list of more than 40 delicious apple recipes.
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I love making this apple pastry recipe with fresh apples during apple season, but in a pinch, you can use apple pie filling or apple jam. No judgment here - I love shortcut recipes!
Since this apple danishes recipe uses refrigerator dough - either crescent roll dough or puff pastry sheets, there's no need for a rolling pin or waiting for the dough to rise. I don't even use an egg wash, although you can if you want to.
❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- tender apples in flaky pastry are always a big hit with family and friends
- this semi-homemade recipe is done in about 30 minutes
- use a can of apple pie filling, or make your own filling (instructions below)
🧂 Ingredients
There are just a few simple ingredients in these easy apple Danish pastries.
- apples
- unsalted butter
- store-bought or homemade apple pie spice
- brown sugar
- vanilla extract
- cornstarch
- cream cheese
- granulated sugar
- refrigerated crescent rolls dough OR puff pastry dough
- powdered sugar
- milk
- store-bought or homemade caramel sauce
This is meant to be a brief overview of this Apple Danish recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below or Jump to Recipe.
🔪 Instructions
Apple Filling
- Peel and chop apples.
- Add butter to the saucepan over medium heat and add the apples with the brown sugar and apple pie spice.
- Bring to a simmer to cook the apples.
- Make a slurry with cornstarch and water. When it is well mixed, add it to the skillet with the vanilla extract.
- Bring to a boil again, then reduce to low heat and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let cool.
Assembling the Danishes
- In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and white sugar.
- Roll out the crescent roll dough or puff pastry dough into a large rectangle. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice the dough into 12 rectangles.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture on each piece of dough - about 3 tablespoons.
- Starting from the long end, roll and twist until the dough is about 10 inches long, then coil the dough into a spiral and tuck the end inside.
- Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Use the back of a spoon to press down gently in the center of each danish and fill the well with 1-2 tablespoons of the apple mixture.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove and let cool for 10-15 minutes before drizzling with icing and store-bought or homemade caramel sauce.
Icing
The simple glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness!
- In a small bowl, add the powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Add the milk one tablespoon at a time until the icing is the consistency you desire.
🥄Equipment
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In addition, Measuring Spoons and Dry Measuring Cups here is what you will need to make this easy recipe:
- Cutting Board
- Santoku Knife or Paring Knife
- Vegetable Peeler
- Sauce Pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
- Cookie Sheet and Parchment Paper
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💭 Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions (and answers!) readers often ask about this recipe.
I like the tartness of granny smith apples, but honeycrisp and jonagold are great varieties as well.
I do not prefer cooking with macintosh apples as I find that they are easily overcooked.
Yes, if you prefer, you can make homemade yeast dough. Check out this sweet yeast dough recipe for ingredients and instructions.
Traditional Danish recipes freeze wonderfully, however, I do not recommend freezing these shortcut apple danishes.
⭐ Tips
✔️ It's easiest to beat the cream cheese mixture when it is at room temperature. Take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you plan to use it.
✔️ This caramel apple danish recipe can be made 1-2 days ahead of time, however, I find that they taste best the same day.
🍲 Storage
To Store: Leftover mini apple pastries should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. They are best if eaten within 3-4 days. These are some of my favorite airtight containers.
✏️ Make Ahead
The apple pie filling can be made a few days ahead and kept in the fridge until needed. Be sure to store it in an airtight container like a mason jar or other storage container.
📖 Variations
The first time you try any new recipe we recommend that you make it just as it is written on the recipe card since that is how the recipe has been tested. However, the next time you make our recipe, you might want to try one of these ideas:
- For a shortcut version, use store-bought apple pie filling, or apple preserves instead of making your own filling.
- Instead of icing, dust the top of the apple danish pastries with a cinnamon sugar mixture or coarse sugar.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
Apple pastries are a great addition for a bridal shower or holiday brunch, Christmas morning. They're also just a great treat for a lazy Sunday morning!
It's delicious with a strawberry mimosa or a cranberry pineapple smoothie to wash it down.
Here are a few other serving suggestions:
- Serve with a strawberry parfait or fruit salad for breakfast.
- For dessert, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
😋 Similar Recipes
Next time, try one of these delicious recipes:
- Blueberry Mousse Puff Pastry Cups
- Pumpkin Spice Puff Pastry Twists
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Puff Pastry
Related: If you love apples, try our Mini Apple Tart Recipe.
Related: Apple Streusel Bread Recipe
Not ready to make this apple danish recipe yet?
When you do make it, please come back and comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!
Apple Danish
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Ingredients
Apple Pie Filling
- 2 medium apples peeled and diced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon store-bought or homemade apple pie spice
- brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Apple Danishes
- apple pie filling above
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- refrigerated crescent roll dough OR puff pastry dough
Icing
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 teaspoons milk
- store-bought OR Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce
Instructions
Apple Filling (skip this if using canned pie filling)
- Add butter to the saucepan over medium heat and add the prepared apples with the brown sugar and apple pie spice. Bring to a simmer to cook the apples.3 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon store-bought or homemade apple pie spice, brown sugar, 2 medium apples
- Make a slurry with cornstarch and water. When it is well mixed, add it to the skillet with the vanilla extract.1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon water, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Bring to a boil again, then reduce to low heat and cook for 3-4 minutes.Remove from the heat and let cool.
Assembling the Danishes
- In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and white sugar.4 ounces cream cheese, ¼ cup granulated sugar
- Roll out the crescent roll dough or puff pastry dough into a large rectangle. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice the dough into 12 rectangles.refrigerated crescent roll dough OR puff pastry dough
- Spread the cream cheese mixture on each piece of dough - about 3 tablespoons.
- Starting from the long end, rold and twist until the dough is about 10 inches long, then coil the dough into a spiral and tuck the end inside. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Use the back of a spoon to press down gently in the center of each danish and fill the well with 1-2 tablespoons of the apple mixture.apple pie filling
- Bake for 22-25 minutes until golden brown. Remove and let cool 10-15 minutes before drizzling with icing and store-bought or homemade caramel sauce.
Icing
- In a small bowl, add the powdered sugar and vanilla.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup powdered sugar
- Add the milk one tablespoon at a time until the icing is the consistency you desire.2-3 teaspoons milk
- Drizzle the icing and caramel over the pastries.store-bought OR Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce
Equipment
- Sauce Pan
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