Description
Danish-inspired cream cheese puff pastry with apples showcases delicate layers of flaky pastry filled with tangy cream cheese and caramelized apple goodness. Sweet and rich flavors invite bakers to savor each delightful bite of this classic European dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box puff pastry dough, room temperature
- 8 oz (226 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
- 4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into small chunks
- 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) water
- ¾ cup (150 grams) sugar
- ½ cup (60 grams) powdered sugar
- ¼ cup (30 grams) cornstarch
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp (15 milliliters) lemon juice
- 1 tsp (5 milliliters) cinnamon
- 1 tsp (5 milliliters) vanilla
- ¼ tsp (1.25 milliliters) vanilla
- 1 tbsp (15 milliliters) milk
Instructions
- Prepare Sauce: Simmer water, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice until the mixture thickens into a glossy sauce, creating a fragrant base for the apple filling.
- Cook Apples: Fold apple chunks into the warm sauce, allowing them to soften and absorb the spices, then set aside to cool slightly while preparing the cream cheese mixture.
- Create Cream Cheese Filling: Whip cream cheese until fluffy, blending in sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, and lemon juice until achieving a silky, smooth consistency.
- Shape Pastry: Unfold puff pastry sheets and slice each into six rectangular pieces, arranging them on a parchment-lined baking sheet to create an elegant pastry canvas.
- Assemble Pastries: Carefully spread cream cheese mixture and spiced apple filling in the center of each pastry rectangle, delicately scoring the edges to create a raised border without cutting completely through the dough.
- Enhance and Bake: Optionally brush pastry edges with egg wash, then bake in a preheated oven until the pastries puff up and turn a rich golden-brown, transforming into delectable treats.
- Finish and Glaze: After cooling slightly, drizzle a smooth glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla over the pastries, creating a luxurious final touch that adds a touch of sweetness and shine.
Notes
- Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Pat apple chunks dry before mixing to avoid excess moisture that can make pastry soggy.
- Perfect Cream Cheese Consistency: Ensure cream cheese is room temperature for smoother, lump-free filling that blends seamlessly.
- Pastry Handling Tip: Keep puff pastry chilled until just before use to maintain its delicate, flaky texture and prevent sticking.
- Baking Precision: Use a light-colored baking sheet to prevent over-browning and achieve uniform golden color on pastry edges.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg