Description
These Delicious Apple & Cheese Danishes are flaky, buttery pastries filled with creamy sweetened cheese and warm cinnamon apples for the ultimate bakery-style treat. Perfect for a quick breakfast, easy brunch idea, holiday breakfast table, sweet snack, or comforting dessert, these homemade danishes deliver crisp golden layers and rich flavor in every bite. Using puff pastry keeps this easy recipe simple while still creating impressive pastries that look and taste bakery fresh. Whether you need breakfast ideas for guests, a cozy weekend baking project, or an easy dessert recipe, these apple and cheese danishes are always a crowd favorite. The combination of crisp pastry, smooth cream cheese filling, and tender apples creates a warm and comforting pastry everyone will love.
Ingredients
2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
2 medium apples, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon water
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 egg
1 tablespoon water for egg wash
Powdered sugar for garnish
Caramel drizzle optional
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook for 5–7 minutes until the apples soften.
3. Mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water and stir it into the apple mixture. Cook until slightly thickened, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Let cool completely.
4. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and lemon juice until smooth and creamy.
5. Roll out the puff pastry sheets lightly and cut into squares or heart shapes.
6. Transfer the pastry pieces to the prepared baking sheet and lightly score a border around the edges.
7. Spread a spoonful of cream cheese filling in the center of each pastry.
8. Spoon the cooled apple filling over the cream cheese layer.
9. Whisk together the egg and water to make the egg wash, then brush the pastry edges.
10. Chill the assembled pastries in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes.
11. Bake for 18–22 minutes or until deeply golden brown and puffed.
12. Cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar or drizzling with caramel sauce.
13. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
Keep the puff pastry cold while assembling to ensure flaky bakery-style layers.
Allow the apple filling to cool completely before adding it to the pastry to avoid soggy dough.
Reheat leftovers in the oven instead of the microwave to keep the pastry crisp.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 danish
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg