Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: With just a few ingredients, you can create a bakery-worthy dessert that’s sure to impress.
- Versatile: While this recipe uses apples, you can easily substitute with other fruits like berries or peaches.
- Perfect Texture: The flaky puff pastry combined with the creamy filling creates an irresistible contrast.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Granny Smith apples (or your preferred baking apple)
- Puff pastry sheets
- Cream cheese
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Cinnamon
- Lemon juice
- Egg yolk
- Vanilla extract
- Egg (for egg wash)
- Coarse sugar (for garnish)
Directions
- Make the Apple Filling: Combine water, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add apples and simmer until thickened. Let cool.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling: Beat cream cheese with sugar, egg yolk, lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth.
- Assemble: Roll out the puff pastry and spoon half of the cream cheese mixture down the center. Top with apple filling.
- Braid the Pastry: Cut slits in the sides of the pastry, fold them over the filling in a braid-like fashion, and seal the edges.
- Bake: Brush with egg wash and bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
- Serve: Garnish with coarse sugar and enjoy.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4-6 servings
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Variations
- Different Fruit: Use peaches, pears, or berries for a different flavor.
- Nuts: Sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts on top before baking.
- Crescent Dough: Substitute puff pastry with crescent dough for a different texture.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze for up to a month in an airtight container.
- Reheating: Warm in the oven for 5-7 minutes at 350°F.
FAQs
Can I use other types of apples?
Yes, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, and Fuji apples are great alternatives.
Can I freeze this dessert?
Yes, freeze the assembled but unbaked pastry for up to a month, and bake when ready.
What if I don’t have puff pastry?
Crescent dough works well as a substitute for puff pastry.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble and refrigerate the pastry for a few hours before baking.
What do I serve this with?
It’s delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Conclusion
Apple Puff Pastry is a simple, sweet, and comforting dessert that brings the best of fall flavors in a flaky, creamy package. Perfect for any gathering or just a cozy treat at home, it’s sure to be a hit with everyone!
Apple Puff Pastry
This Apple Puff Pastry is a flaky, buttery dessert filled with sweet spiced apples and a creamy cream cheese mixture. Quick to prepare and bakery-worthy, this easy recipe is perfect for any occasion. Serve it warm for a comforting treat that pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- Granny Smith apples (or preferred baking apples)
- Puff pastry sheets
- Cream cheese
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Cinnamon
- Lemon juice
- Egg yolk
- Vanilla extract
- Egg (for egg wash)
- Coarse sugar (for garnish)
Instructions
- Make the Apple Filling: In a saucepan, combine water, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil. Add apples and simmer until thickened. Let cool.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling: Beat cream cheese with sugar, egg yolk, lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth.
- Assemble the Pastry: Roll out puff pastry and spoon half of the cream cheese mixture down the center. Top with apple filling.
- Braid the Pastry: Cut slits along the sides of the pastry, fold them over the filling in a braid-like fashion, and seal the edges.
- Bake: Brush with egg wash, sprinkle coarse sugar on top, and bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
- Serve: Let cool slightly and enjoy warm.
Notes
- Swap apples with peaches, pears, or berries for a variation.
- Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking for added crunch.
- Use crescent dough instead of puff pastry for a different texture.
