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Apple Danish Recipe: How to Make an Apple Danish Pastry

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Apr 12, 2022 • 3 min read

Freshly baked apple danishes are a delightful addition to brunch or a treat to make a weekday breakfast special. Learn how to make apple danishes at home with this easy recipe.

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What Is an Apple Danish?

An apple danish is a pastry that combines layers of buttery, flaky, yeast-leavened dough with apple filling. Like croissant dough, traditional danish dough gets folded around layers of butter, rolled, and refolded several times to create an average of twenty-seven layers. Alternatively, you can arrange the dough into a danish braid, a long rectangular-shaped filled pastry featuring a braided top layer.

Apple danishes sometimes get topped with a sugary crumb topping similar to what you might find on a coffee cake.

3 Tips for Making an Apple Danish

Here’s how to make apple danishes with ease:

  1. 1. Use store-bought apple pie filling. You can make your own delicious apple filling with fresh apples, sugar, spices, lemon juice, and cornstarch. However, store-bought apple pie filling is a satisfying, time-saving substitute that requires no preparation. You can find apple filling in the baking aisle of most grocery stores.
  2. 2. Use frozen puff pastry. The easiest way to make danishes is with a premade puff pastry sheet. Although puff pastry dough doesn’t contain yeast like traditional danish dough, it forms similar flaky layers. Each sheet yields about four small danishes. Thaw the pastry on the counter just until pliable. Learn how to make your own at home with this easy puff pastry recipe.
  3. 3. Make ahead and freeze. To have apple danishes ready for an impromptu brunch or quick breakfast, freeze the assembled danishes in a single layer, then wrap them individually in parchment paper. Store the wrapped danishes in a resealable freezer bag for up to three months.

Easy Apple Danish Recipe

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makes

8 danishes

prep time

20 min

total time

32 min

cook time

12 min

Ingredients

For the apple filling:

For the crumb topping:

To assemble:

Note: The total time does not include 30 minutes of inactive time.

Make the apple filling:

  1. 1

    In a medium bowl, toss the apples, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract together.

  2. 2

    Cover the apple mixture with a plate or plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to macerate. The apple mixture should release liquid in the maceration process.

  3. 3

    After 30 minutes, toss the mixture with cornstarch.

  4. 4

    Transfer the apple mixture to a medium saucepan over medium heat and bring it to a simmer.

  5. 5

    Reduce the heat and continue to gently simmer until the liquid has thickened, about 2 minutes.

  6. 6

    Remove the apple mixture from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. If you’re making the filling in advance, transfer the room-temperature mixture to an airtight container, where it will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Make the crumb topping:

  1. 1

    In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and all-purpose flour.

  2. 2

    Add the butter. Using clean hands, squeeze the sugar-flour mixture into the butter to create clumps.

  3. 3

    Cover the bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.

Assemble the danishes:

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

  2. 2

    In a small bowl, beat together the egg and water. Set it aside.

  3. 3

    On a lightly floured surface, unfold the puff pastry sheets.

  4. 4

    Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to portion each sheet into 4 equal squares.

  5. 5

    Place 4 squares onto each prepared baking sheet. To shape into a traditional “spandauer,” fold the points of each pastry square toward—but not quite touching—the center.

  6. 6

    Spoon a large mound of the apple mixture into the center of each pastry.

  7. 7

    Brush the edges of the pastry with the egg wash, then sprinkle with the crumb topping.

  8. 8

    Bake until golden brown and puffed, 10–12 minutes.

  9. 9

    Remove the danishes from the oven and let them cool slightly.

  10. 10

    Dust the danishes with powdered sugar, if desired, and serve.

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