Easy Apple Danish Recipe
Get ready to enjoy a delicious homemade apple danish with the flakiest puff pastry. It’s a delightful blend of crisp layers and tender, cinnamon-spiced apples in the sweet filling. This recipe is so easy, you’ll be savoring this sweet treat in no time!
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It’s easier than you think to make this beautiful homemade Apple Danish! A delightfully flaky pastry crust is filled with caramelized sweet apples and crumble topping making this recipe the perfect fall treat!
I love deceptively simple recipes that look a bit fancy, and this Braided Apple Danish is just that! I shared a braided strawberry danish a few years ago and it was a bit hit so I figured it was time for an autumn-inspired pastry now that apple season is here!
Why I love this recipe
I love that this easy apple danish recipe takes only about 15 minutes of active prep time then just 20 minutes in the oven. It is perfect for coffee groups, holiday breakfast, or weekend brunch, but simple and fast enough to make any time you want something a little extra special!
Ingredients
- egg
- pre-made puff pastry dough
- butter
- sugar
- cornstarch
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- salt
- apples
- brown sugar
- flour
Step by step
- Prepare the homemade apple pie filling: Add butter, sugar, water, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to a pot and bring to a boil for 2 minutes, then add apples and continue to cook for five minutes. Remove the filling from heat and allow it to cool as you continue the recipe.
- Make the crumb topping that takes this danish over the top: Mix brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a bowl, then cut in butter with two knives or a pastry cutter until it is all incorporated and crumbly.
- Assemble the braided danish: Lay a thawed puff pastry sheet on a cookie sheet. Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut the outer thirds of the sheet into 1-inch thick strips as shown below. Spoon the apple filling along the center of the dough. Top with the crumble topping. Close the danish by crisscrossing the pastry strips along the edge over each other at a slight angle.
- Once the entire danish is braided, brush the top with an egg wash then pop in the oven for 20 minutes.
FAQs
Choose a firm apple variety such as Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Gala or Fuji. Softer types of apples won’t stand up to the baking.
Yes! I recommend assembling the entire danish and then wrapping it with plastic wrap on the baking sheet up to 2 days ahead. When you are ready to bake it allow it to sit at room temperature for an hour before baking OR add about 5 extra minutes to the baking time if starting cold.
Store these in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days (if you manage to have leftovers!) Reheat in the microwave.
You can freeze apple danishes either before or after baking.
To freeze before baking, assemble the danish on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Freeze on the dish for 3-4 hours or until frozen through. Remove to a freezer bag for storage in the freezer for up to 3 months. To bake simply place it on a baking dish frozen and extend baking time 15-20 minutes longer.
To freeze after baking, place in a freezer-safe container and store for up to one month. Reheat in the oven until heated through.
Serving suggestions
Serve this danish braid on its own or warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You can also top with whipped cream or a dusting of confectioners’ sugar.
I hope you love this delicious apple danish as much as our family does! If you like apple recipes be sure to try my Cinnamon Apple Bread (pinned over 1 million times!), Cinnamon Apple Muffins, Apple Hand Pies, Apple Cider Sangria, and Peanut Butter Apple Crisp!
If you try this recipe, please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!
Apple Danish Braid
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
It’s easier than you think to make this beautiful homemade Apple Danish! A delightfully flaky crust is filled with caramelized apples and crumble topping makes this recipe a fall favorite!
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 puff pastry dough sheet, thawed
Apple Filling
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- pinch of salt
- 2 large apples, peeled and diced
Brown Sugar Crumble
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, softened
Instructions
- Combine butter, sugar, water, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a medium saucepan.
- Heat over medium heat until boiling.
- Boil 2 minutes while stirring often, then add diced apples.
- Simmer 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove the pan from heat and allow to cool.
- Mix dry crumble ingredients in a bowl (brown sugar, cinnamon and flour.) Cut in butter with two knives or a pastry cutter until thoroughly blended and crumbly.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Lay puff pastry sheet on the baking sheet, use a knife to cut 1″ slices into the outer thirds of the dough.
- Spread cooled apple mixture along the middle third, then top with crumble.
- Fold over the outer edges to “braid” them bu criss-crossing them at a slight downward angle.
- Beat together egg and water and use a pastry brush (affiliate link) to coat the top of the danish.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
Store at room temperature in an airtight container up to 3 days.
To make ahead up to two days, refrigerate assembled danish wrapped in plastic wrap. Bake extra 5 minutes from chilled or allow to come to room temperature before baking.
To freeze before baking, assemble the danish on a baking dish lined with parchment paper. Freeze on the dish for 3-4 hours or until frozen through. Remove to a freezer bag for storage in the freezer up to 3 months. To bake simply place on a baking dish frozen and extend baking time 15-20 minutes longer.
To freeze after baking, place in a freezer safe container and store up to one month. Reheat in the oven until heated through.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: breakfast
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 354
- Sugar: 20.7 g
- Sodium: 379.9 mg
- Fat: 20.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40.3 g
- Protein: 3.7 g
- Cholesterol: 44.2 mg
