If you’re on the hunt for a show-stopping treat that’s surprisingly easy to whip up, you’re going to love this Apple Danish Pastry Recipe. I absolutely love how these pastries come out flaky, buttery, and bursting with tender cinnamon-spiced apples—perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack with coffee. When I first tried making these, I couldn’t believe how much flavor and texture you get with just a handful of ingredients and a little bit of love in the kitchen. Stick around and I’ll walk you through exactly how to nail it every time.

🧡

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Ingredients: Uses store-bought puff pastry for less fuss and amazing flakiness.
Perfectly Spiced Apple Filling: Granny Smith apples with cinnamon and nutmeg create a balanced sweet-tart flavor.
Crispy Crumb Topping: Adds a delightful crunch that my whole family goes crazy for.
Versatile and Impressive: Ideal for weekend brunch or when you want to wow guests with minimal effort.

Apple Danish Pastry Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together in harmony to give you that flaky, tender pastry with a luscious apple center, topped with a crunchy crumb and a sweet glaze. When you’re picking out apples, I always recommend Granny Smith because their tartness balances the sweetness, but you can experiment depending on your taste!

Apple Danish Pastry Recipe - Ingredients

Puff Pastry Dough: The star for flaky layers—buy from the freezer section and thaw properly for best results.
Unsalted Butter: Gives richness without overpowering the filling.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the apple filling gently.
Water: Helps dissolve the cornstarch and sugar for that perfect sauce consistency.
Cornstarch: Thickens the apple mixture so it doesn’t get soggy.
Cinnamon and Nutmeg: Warm spices that bring out the cozy fall vibes.
Salt: A pinch balances all the sweetness beautifully.
Granny Smith Apples: Crisp and tart, they hold their shape perfectly while baking.
Brown Sugar: Used in the crumb topping for a deeper caramel flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: Gives the crumb topping its structure.
Large Egg: Creates a glossy egg wash to help toppings stick and add color.
Powdered Sugar: For the irresistible glaze drizzle.
Heavy Whipping Cream or Milk: Makes the glaze silky smooth.
Vanilla Extract: Adds that sweet, aromatic finish to the glaze.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love experimenting with this Apple Danish Pastry Recipe to keep it exciting. You can easily make this your own by switching up the fillings or toppings—trust me, it’s super forgiving and delicious no matter how you tweak it.

Change up the Fruit: I once swapped Granny Smith for peeled peaches in summer, and it’s fantastic with a touch of almond extract.
Nutty Crunch: Try adding chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumb topping for extra texture—my family really enjoyed this twist.
Dairy-Free Option: Substitute coconut oil for butter and a plant-based milk for the glaze; it still turns out lovely.
Mini Danishes: Make smaller twists for bite-sized treats perfect for parties or kids’ snacks.

How to Make Apple Danish Pastry Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Apple Filling

Start by heating the butter, sugar, water, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. I love how this mixture thickens and starts to smell incredible after just a couple of minutes. When it reaches a boil, toss in the diced Granny Smith apples. Cook them gently for about 5 minutes—stir frequently so the apples soften just right without turning mushy. Then, set this filling aside to cool while you prep the pastry.

Step 2: Shape the Puff Pastry

Unfold those thawed puff pastry sheets and roll each one out into a 10×10-inch square using a floured rolling pin. Here’s the trick I learned: rolling them slightly thinner helps them bake more evenly without being doughy. Cut the sheets into 12 strips. My favorite part? Connecting two strips by overlapping half an inch and pressing them firmly, then twisting the double-length strip and pressing the ends to seal—this gives the danishes a beautiful handmade look.

Step 3: Assemble and Top

On a parchment-lined baking sheet, arrange 6 of the twisted pastry strips. Push down the center gently to create a little well. Spoon a generous amount of your apple filling right into the middle. Then make the crumb topping by mixing brown sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, and flour into a crumbly texture. Before sprinkling the crumb, brush each pastry with an egg wash made from beaten egg and water—this step ensures that golden shine and helps the topping stick nicely.

Step 4: Bake and Glaze

Bake the danishes in your preheated 400°F oven for 16 to 18 minutes, or until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown. It’s so tempting to peek early, but patience here gets you that perfect flakiness. After they cool for about 5 minutes, give them a drizzle of simple glaze made by whisking powdered sugar, cream (or milk), and vanilla extract together. The glaze knits everything together with just the right touch of sweetness—I always find this part feels like putting the cherry on top.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Apple Danish Pastry Recipe

Keep Puff Pastry Cold: I learned the hard way! If the dough warms up too much, it gets sticky and hard to work with—pop it back in the fridge between rolling and cutting.
Don’t Overfill: Overloading with apple filling can make the danish soggy and tricky to bake evenly—stick to a moderate spoonful.
Use a Light Touch When Rolling: Pressing too hard can deflate those lovely puff layers; a gentle roll and even thickness lead to better rise and texture.
Brush Egg Wash Just Before Baking: Applying it too early can cause the dough to get tough; I always do it right before the oven goes on.

How to Serve Apple Danish Pastry Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it classic and sprinkle a tiny pinch of cinnamon on top after glazing, or sometimes a few finely chopped toasted almonds for a bit of crunch. On special occasions, a dusting of powdered sugar adds that elegant, bakery-style finish that everyone admires.

Side Dishes

This pastry pairs so well with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or chai tea—something warm to balance the flaky, buttery layers and sweet apples. For a brunch spread, I love serving it alongside scrambled eggs, fresh fruit salad, or even creamy yogurt with honey and granola.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive brunch, I arrange these danishes on a wooden cutting board surrounded by fresh apple slices and cinnamon sticks—it looks rustic and inviting. Another fun idea: serve mini danishes on cupcake liners as individual treats for a crowd. They’re perfect finger food, and your guests will think you spent hours making them.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I recommend storing leftover danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They keep their flakiness quite well if you avoid the fridge, which can sometimes make puff pastry soggy.

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead, these danishes freeze wonderfully. I usually assemble them but bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. You can also freeze after baking—just wrap individually in plastic wrap and pop them in a freezer bag for up to a month.

Reheating

To revive leftovers, I gently warm them in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes—this brings back the crisp edges and melty filling without drying them out. Microwaves can make puff pastry chewy, so I avoid that method whenever I can.

FAQs

Can I use homemade puff pastry for this Apple Danish Pastry Recipe?

Absolutely! Homemade puff pastry will definitely elevate the flavor and freshness, though it requires more time and skill. Using store-bought dough keeps things simple and still yields delicious results.
What type of apples work best?

Granny Smith apples are my go-to for this recipe because their tartness balances the sweetness of the sugar and spices, and they hold their shape well. If you want a sweeter option, Fuji or Honeycrisp work, but they might soften more quickly.
Can I make the apple filling ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the apple filling up to a day in advance. Just let it cool completely, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Before assembling, give it a good stir to recombine any thickening that separated.
How do I prevent the puff pastry from getting soggy?

Make sure not to overfill the danishes and use cornstarch in the apple filling to control moisture. Also, baking immediately after assembling helps keep the pastry crisp. If the filling is too wet, it can cause sogginess.
Can I skip the crumb topping?

Definitely—if you’re not a fan of crumb toppings or want a lighter pastry, simply omit it. The danish will still taste amazing with the spiced apple filling and glaze.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Danish Pastry Recipe is close to my heart because it’s one of those baked goods that feels a little fancy but is totally doable any day of the week. I love how it brings out the best of fall flavors year-round, and it’s become a favorite to share with friends, family, and anyone who appreciates a flaky, sweet pastry with a cozy filling. Give this recipe a try—I promise once you get the hang of the technique, you’ll be making these little pieces of heaven over and over again.