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–+ servings

Apple Pie Danishes

These apple cream cheese danishes taste like they came straight from a bakery, but they’re so easy to make at home! Flaky, buttery puff pastry with a creamy layer of sweetened cream cheese and tender cinnamon-spiced apples – every bite is a dream. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy afternoon treat!
Prep Time40 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Yields8 to 10 danishes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings8 to 10 danishes

Ingredients

APPLE PIE FILLING:

  • 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cubed
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water

CHEESE FILLING:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

EGG WASH:

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon whole milk

ICING GLAZE:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk or heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

OTHER:

  • 2 puff pastry sheets
  • granulated white sugar, for sprinkling

Instructions 

PREPARE APPLE FILLING:

    1. In a medium pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
    2. Add the cubed apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cook until the apples soften, about 5-7 minutes.
    3. Stir in the vanilla extract, lemon juice, cornstarch, and water. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens, about 2 minutes.
    4. Remove from heat and let the apple mixture cool.
  2. In a medium pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  3. Add the cubed apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cook until the apples soften, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Stir in the vanilla extract, lemon juice, cornstarch, and water. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens, about 2 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and let the apple mixture cool.

PREPARE CHEESE FILLING:

    1. In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
  2. In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

ASSEMBLE DANISHES:

    1. Roll out the puff pastry sheets on a floured surface and cut each sheet into circles using a large cookie cutter or a glass.
    2. Using a smaller cutter, lightly score a smaller circle about 3/4 of the way through the dough in the center of each larger circle. This will help keep the center from rising too much during baking.
    3. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese filling into the center of each scored circle.
    4. Top the cream cheese mixture with a spoonful of the cooled apple filling.
    5. Whisk the egg and milk together in a small bowl. Brush the outer edges of the pastry with the egg wash.
    6. Sprinkle a little granulated sugar over the edges.
  2. Roll out the puff pastry sheets on a floured surface and cut each sheet into circles using a large cookie cutter or a glass.
  3. Using a smaller cutter, lightly score a smaller circle about 3/4 of the way through the dough in the center of each larger circle. This will help keep the center from rising too much during baking.
  4. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese filling into the center of each scored circle.
  5. Top the cream cheese mixture with a spoonful of the cooled apple filling.
  6. Whisk the egg and milk together in a small bowl. Brush the outer edges of the pastry with the egg wash.
  7. Sprinkle a little granulated sugar over the edges.

BAKE THE DANISHES:

    1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
    2. Bake the danishes for 15-20 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden and flaky.
  2. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  3. Bake the danishes for 15-20 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden and flaky.

THE ICING:

    1. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk or cream until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more milk if necessary.
    2. Once the danishes are out of the oven and fully cooled, drizzle the icing over them and enjoy!
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk or cream until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more milk if necessary.
  3. Once the danishes are out of the oven and fully cooled, drizzle the icing over them and enjoy!

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you make this recipe, leave a comment below and let me know how it turns out. I love hearing from you!