Quick Apple Danish Pastry Recipe

Imagine pulling a tray of golden, flaky Apple Danish Pastry Recipe from the oven—their buttery layers crisp and airy, the cinnamon-kissed apple filling warm and fragrant, all finished with a delicate glaze that melts into every bite. This homemade apple danish pastry recipe brings bakery-quality pastries straight to your kitchen with simple, high-quality ingredients and easy-to-follow steps. Whether for a cozy weekend breakfast, a special brunch, or just to fill your home with the irresistible aroma of baked apples and pastry, this treat is guaranteed to impress.

Why apple danish pastry recipe Are a Breakfast Game-Changer

Apple danish pastry recipe have been beloved for generations, and for good reason. Originally from Denmark, these treats combine the best of flaky pastry with sweet, tender fruit. What makes this apple danish pastry recipe special is how it balances the rich buttery taste with the natural sweetness of apples and warmth of cinnamon.

These Apple Danish Pastry Recipe pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea, making them ideal for slow weekend mornings. They're also impressive enough to serve when you have guests but simple enough that you won't spend hours in the kitchen.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Equipment For Apple Danish Pastry Recipe
• Recipe Variations
• Storage
• The Secret to Bakery-Perfect apple danish pastries recipe
• FAQ
• Delicious,and Easy: Your Go-To pple Danish Pastry Recipe
• Related
• Pairing
• Apple Danish Pastry Recipe

Ingredients

The Danish Pastry Dough:

• All-purpose flour – provides structure and tenderness to your pastry
• Granulated sugar – adds just enough sweetness to the dough
• Instant yeast – helps the dough rise properly
• Salt – balances the flavors
• Cold unsalted butter, cut into thin slices – creates those beautiful flaky layers
• Cold whole milk – adds richness
• Cold water – helps form the dough
• Large egg – binds everything together

Substitution tip: For a richer dough, you can replace the water with additional milk. If you need a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter and almond milk.

The Apple Filling:

• Medium apples (preferably Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) – tart varieties hold up well during baking
• Unsalted butter – adds richness to the filling
• Brown sugar – caramelizes beautifully with the apples
• Ground cinnamon – the classic apple pairing
• Ground nutmeg – adds depth to the flavor
• Lemon juice – brightens the apple flavor and prevents browning
• Cornstarch – thickens the filling so it doesn't make your pastry soggy

Substitution tip: Any firm apple variety works here. For a different flavor profile, try adding a pinch of cardamom or ginger to the spice mix.

The Glaze:

• Powdered sugar – creates a smooth, sweet finish
• Milk – thins the glaze to the right consistency
• Vanilla extract – adds depth of flavor
• Salt – balances the sweetness

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Prepare the Danish Pastry Dough

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
2. Add the cold butter slices and use a pastry cutter to work it in until you have pea-sized pieces. Don't overmix – those butter chunks create the flaky layers!
3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cold milk, water, and egg.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and stir until just combined. The dough will look shaggy, which is perfect.
5. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and shape it into a rough rectangle.
6. Roll the dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle, then fold it in thirds like a letter (bring the bottom third up, then the top third down).
7. Turn the dough 90 degrees, roll it out again into a rectangle, and fold it again. Repeat this process once more for a total of three turns.
8. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight. This rest time is crucial for developing those flaky layers!

Pro tip: Keep everything cold while working with the dough. If the butter starts to feel soft at any point, put the dough back in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before continuing.

Make the Apple Filling

1. Peel, core, and dice the apples into small ¼-inch cubes.
2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
3. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir to combine.
4. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the apples have softened slightly but still hold their shape.
5. Mix the lemon juice and cornstarch in a small bowl, then add to the apple mixture.
6. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the mixture thickens.
7. Remove from heat and let cool completely before using.

Pro tip: For extra flavor, add a splash of bourbon or apple brandy to the filling when you add the spices.

Shape and Fill the Apple Danish Pastry Recipe

1. Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and divide it in half. Keep the unused portion refrigerated while you work.
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll one portion of dough into a 12×12-inch square.
3. Cut the square into 9 equal squares (about 4×4 inches each).
4. Place a heaping tablespoon of apple filling in the center of each square.
5. For a simple danish: Fold each corner toward the center, pressing lightly to seal in the middle.
6. For a braided danish: Cut slits from each corner toward the center (leaving the center intact), then fold alternate strips over the filling.
7. Place the shaped danish pastries on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each.
8. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Pro tip: For an extra treat, add a small spoonful of cream cheese mixture (4 oz cream cheese mixed with 2 tablespoon sugar and ½ teaspoon vanilla) beneath the apple filling.

Second Rise and Baking

1. Cover the shaped danish pastries loosely with plastic wrap and let them rise at room temperature for about 30-45 minutes, until slightly puffy.
2. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
3. Brush the pastries lightly with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water).
4. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until golden brown and puffed.
5. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Pro tip: For even baking, rotate the baking sheet halfway through the baking time.

Glaze and Serve

1. While the danish pastries are still warm (but not hot), prepare the glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
2. Drizzle the glaze over the warm pastries.
3. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Equipment For Apple Danish Pastry Recipe

• Pastry Cutter – Helps incorporate butter into flour without overworking the dough
• Rolling Pin – A wooden rolling pin stays cooler, which is ideal for danish pastry dough
• Parchment Paper – Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier
• Quality Baking Sheets – Heavy-duty sheets prevent burning on the bottom
• Cooling Rack – Allows air to circulate around the pastries for the perfect texture

Don't have a pastry cutter? Two knives or even a food processor on pulse can work in a pinch, but be careful not to over-process the butter.

Hints & Expert Cooking Tips

• The key to flaky danish pastry is keeping the dough cold at all times. If your kitchen is warm, work quickly and return the dough to the refrigerator if it becomes too soft.
• Don't skip the resting time between folds – this allows the gluten to relax and produces a more tender pastry.
• For a time-saving hack, you can prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and keep it refrigerated until ready to use.
• The apple filling can be made a day ahead and refrigerated to save time on baking day.
• For the best texture, don't cook the apples until they're mushy – they should still have some structure.

Recipe Variations

Puff Pastry Apple Danish (Quick Version)

If you're short on time, substitute 2 sheets of store-bought puff pastry for the homemade danish pastry dough. The result won't be exactly the same, but it will still be delicious and takes a fraction of the time.

Mixed Fruit Danish

Add variety by mixing in other fruits with the apples. Pears, cranberries, or cherries all work beautifully in this recipe.

Vegan Apple Danish Pastry

Replace the butter with vegan butter, use plant-based milk, and substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water). The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

Gluten-Free Apple Danish

Use a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. Add ½ teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn't already include it.

Storage

Fridge Storage

Store completely cooled danish pastries in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes to refresh them.

Freezing Instructions

These apple danish pastries freeze beautifully! Freeze unbaked shaped pastries on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. When ready to bake, allow them to thaw and rise overnight in the refrigerator, then bake as directed.

Alternatively, freeze the baked (unglazed) pastries, then thaw at room temperature and warm in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes before glazing.

FAQ

Delicious,and Easy: Your Go-To pple Danish Pastry Recipe

There’s something magical about pulling a tray of golden, flaky Apple Danish Pastry Recipe from the oven—their buttery layers crisp to perfection, the warm cinnamon-spiced apples melting in every bite, and the sweet glaze tying it all together. While they require patience, the payoff is pure bakery-style indulgence right at home!

Pair these pastries with a cozy cup of coffee for a slow weekend morning, serve them at brunch to impress your guests, or enjoy them as an afternoon pick-me-up. If you loved this apple danish pastry recipe, why not explore more homemade delights? Try our Classic Cream Puffs Recipe for an airy, decadent treat, or whip up a Quick No-Bake Pumpkin Pie when you're short on time but craving something delicious.

Give this Apple Danish Pastry Recipe a try and let us know in the comments how yours turned out! We’d love to hear about your baking adventures.

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