Apple Cheese Danishes (Printable)

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

# 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 (such as Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and finely diced
07 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
08 - 2 tbsp brown sugar, packed
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 the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the apples are tender and coated in a syrupy glaze. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
03 - In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
04 - Unfold the puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface and roll gently to smooth out any creases. Cut into 8 equal squares. Transfer the squares to the prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, lightly score a smaller square border inside each piece about 1/2 inch from the edges, being careful not to cut all the way through. Prick the inner square several times with a fork to prevent excessive puffing.
05 - Spread a generous spoonful of the cream cheese filling onto the center of each pastry square, staying within the scored border. Top each with a heaping spoonful of the cooled apple mixture.
06 - Brush the exposed pastry edges with the beaten egg to promote even browning during baking.
07 - Bake on the center rack for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the pastry is deeply golden brown and fully puffed. Rotate the tray halfway through if needed for even coloring.
08 - Allow the danishes to cool on the baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes. Whisk together the powdered sugar and enough milk or lemon juice to reach a drizzling consistency. Use a spoon to zigzag the glaze over the cooled danishes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of tangy cream cheese and warmly spiced apples tastes like something you would pay too much for at a bakery.
  • Store bought puff pastry does all the heavy lifting so you look incredibly impressive with surprisingly little effort.
02 -
  • Do not skip scoring the inner square or the filling will spread everywhere and you will lose that beautiful raised border.
  • Let the apple filling cool completely before assembling or the warmth will melt the cream cheese into a runny mess that leaks out during baking.
03 -
  • Thaw your puff pastry in the refrigerator overnight rather than on the counter so it stays cold enough to handle without tearing or becoming gummy.
  • Use a fork to crimp the edges after filling for extra insurance that the pastry holds its shape and for a charming rustic look.

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