Description
Transform your kitchen into a European bakery with these incredibly Easy Apple Danish that taste like they came straight from a Parisian patisserie! These gorgeous pastries feature tender, cinnamon-spiced apples nestled in buttery, golden puff pastry and finished with a dreamy vanilla glaze. The secret? Using store-bought puff pastry means you get all the flaky, buttery layers without any of the complicated work. Perfect for weekend brunches, special breakfasts, or anytime you want to impress with minimal effort. Ready in just 35 minutes and guaranteed to make your house smell absolutely divine!
Ingredients
- 3 large apples, peeled and chopped into small cubes (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work beautifully)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (42g)
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar (55g)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 sheets frozen puff pastry dough, thawed
For the Simple Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar (50g)
- 1–2 tablespoons whole milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Your Pastry Foundation: Remove puff pastry from freezer and packaging at least 30 minutes before starting—properly thawed pastry is the key to those gorgeous, flaky layers!
- Create the Heavenly Apple Filling: In a small saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar over high heat, stirring constantly. Add cubed apples and cinnamon, then simmer 5-7 minutes until apples are tender and the mixture thickens into a luscious, caramelized filling. Let cool completely.
- Prep Your Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and perfect browning.
- Shape Like a Pro: Cut each puff pastry sheet into 4 equal squares. Roll each square slightly, then fold up all four sides to create perfect little pastry bowls—these will cradle your delicious apple filling beautifully!
- Fill and Bake to Golden Perfection: Arrange pastry bowls on your prepared baking sheet and fill each with 2-3 tablespoons of the cooled apple mixture. Bake 20-22 minutes until sides are gorgeously golden brown and pastry is puffed and flaky.
- Create the Perfect Finish: While pastries cool completely, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla (if using) to create a smooth, glossy glaze. Drizzle over cooled Danish for that professional bakery look.
- Serve and Savor: Present these beautiful pastries warm or at room temperature and watch as everyone marvels at your apparent pastry skills. The combination of flaky pastry, tender apples, and sweet glaze is absolutely irresistible!
Notes
The secret to bakery-quality results is patience with the puff pastry—let it thaw completely for the best rise and flakiness. Granny Smith apples hold their shape beautifully, while Honeycrisp adds natural sweetness. Make sure the apple filling is completely cool before adding to pastry to prevent melting. These Danish are best served the day they’re made but can be stored covered for up to 2 days. For extra indulgence, serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 danish
- Calories: 288
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 181mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 8mg
Keywords: apple danish, puff pastry, easy breakfast pastry, apple pastries, weekend brunch