Apple Butter Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Danishes
Flaky puff pastry danishes filled with tangy cream cheese and sweet apple butter create an irresistible breakfast or dessert treat. The contrast between the buttery, crispy pastry and the smooth, spiced filling makes these danishes perfect for weekend brunches or special occasions. Each bite delivers the comforting flavors of apple pie in an elegant, handheld form that's surprisingly simple to make using store-bought puff pastry.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- 2
Make eggwash by beating egg with milk or water in a small bowl
- 3
Cream together cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, salt and egg yolks until smooth and well combined
- 4
Roll out puff pastry on lightly floured surface until an inch bigger on all sides
- 5
Cut pastry into 4 squares
- 6
Place 2 tablespoons cream cheese filling in center of each square followed by 2 tablespoons apple butter
- 7
Brush eggwash on edges and seal opposite corners together to form pockets
- 8
Brush tops and sides with eggwash and sprinkle with granulated sugar
- 9
Freeze for 10 minutes while preheating oven to 400 degrees
- 10
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until deeply golden and puffed
- 11
Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving
Tips
Freeze the assembled danishes for 10 minutes before baking to help them hold their shape and prevent the filling from leaking out during baking.
Make sure cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature for the smoothest filling texture without lumps.
Don't overfill the pastry squares as this can cause the filling to burst through during baking.
Good to Know
Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in 350°F oven for 5-8 minutes to restore crispness.
Can be assembled and frozen unbaked for up to 1 month. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5-10 minutes to baking time.
Best served warm or at room temperature. Can be reheated briefly in oven to restore pastry crispness.
Common Mistakes
Don't skip the freezing step to avoid filling leakage during baking
Avoid overfilling pastry squares to prevent bursting
Don't overbake or pastry will become tough rather than flaky
Substitutions
same sweet, smooth texture
FAQ
Can I make these danishes ahead of time?
Yes, assemble and freeze unbaked for up to a month, then bake directly from frozen with extra time.
What if I don't have apple butter?
You can substitute with pumpkin butter, jam, or even make your own by cooking down apples with sugar and spices.
How long will these keep fresh?
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven to restore crispness.