Apple Cheese Danishes Pastry (Print Version)

Flaky puff pastries with creamy cheese and cinnamon-spiced apple filling, perfect for brunch or dessert.

# What You 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 - 2–3 tsp milk or lemon juice

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray 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 onto a lightly floured surface and roll gently to smooth out creases. Cut into 8 equal squares. Transfer squares to the prepared baking tray. Using a knife, lightly score a smaller square border inside each piece without cutting all the way through. Prick the inner square several times with a fork to prevent puffing.
05 - Spread a generous spoonful of cream cheese filling in the center of each pastry square, staying within the scored border. Top with a spoonful of the cooled apple mixture.
06 - Brush the exposed pastry edges with beaten egg to promote even browning during baking.
07 - Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until pastry is puffed and deeply golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
08 - Whisk powdered sugar with enough milk or lemon juice to reach a drizzle consistency. Spoon zigzag lines over the cooled danishes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The contrast of tangy cream cheese against warmly spiced apples feels like something from a fancy bakery but comes together in under an hour.
  • Store bought puff pastry does all the heavy lifting so you get all the credit with barely any of the stress.
02 -
  • If the puff pastry tears while you are cutting it, do not panic, just pinch it back together with your fingers and it will seal during baking.
  • Let the apple filling cool completely before spooning it onto the cream cheese or everything will melt into a soupy mess.
03 -
  • Toast a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts and sprinkle them over the apple filling before baking for a nutty crunch that takes these to another level entirely.
  • When scoring the inner square on each pastry piece, use a light hand and a butter knife rather than a sharp blade because you want to create a guide for rising, not a cut that splits open in the oven.

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