Pumpkin versus apple goodies… ah, the infamous Autumn food debate! Do you have a favorite?
You may think that baking a cheese danish is complicated. You know because it looks all fancy dancy with its braid affect. This one is really easy though, I promise. I’ve even included step by step photos to prove it. My husband likes loads and loads of detailed steps so I’ve decided to take a page from his book here.
Hello gorgeous danish. I’ve even impressed myself, which is a rare thing.
This danish has the perfect ratio of dough to cheese filling to apples. The cheese filling is creamy and perfectly sweetened. It’s kind of like a cheesecake, but has a softer texture. This stuff is so delicious that a plain old Cheese Danish isn’t so plain at all. It’s even tasty by the spoonful straight from the bowl. Just saying.
I wanted to give an Autumnal twist to a standard cheese danish so adding apples seemed like a good idea. Of course, it doesn’t have to be Fall to enjoy this delicious delicacy, but apples do have to be in season.
I coated the apple slices with some sugar and warm spices. It’s almost like adding an apple pie to your cheese danish. 😉
I used store bought crescent rolls for the pastry. Sometimes short cuts are a good thing, especially when you’re dealing with a hungry crowd at breakfast time.
Guys, I’m in love with this apple danish. Four of us polished it off in a matter of a few hours. If I eat two servings over a period of time, it doesn’t really count as two, right? 😉
As for which is my favorite, apple or pumpkin… I simply cannot choose. They are both delicious. If I am presented with apple and pumpkin pies, then I have a piece of both! No really, I do. 🙂
Maybe I should try to come up with something that has both apple and pumpkin in it at the same time… hmm.
Apple Cheese Danish Recipe
(About 8 servings)
Ingredients:
- 6 ounces of cream cheese, softened
- 6 tablespoons white sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
- 1 apple
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 tube of crescent rolls (original flavor)
- 1 egg
Ingredients for the Vanilla Icing:
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons milk
- 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with tin foil, grease it, and set it aside.
- In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, 6 tablespoons of sugar, vanilla extract, and flour. Set it aside.
- Peel the skin from the apple and slice it very thinly.
- In a small bowl, mix together the sliced apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1/2 tablespoon of sugar. Set it aside.
- Unroll the crescent roll dough into one long rectangle on the greased baking sheet (don’t separate at the perforations).
- Press the dough near the perforations to even them out and seal any holes.
- Cut 1/2 inch wide diagonal strips on each side of the dough. (See pictures above.)
- Cut 2 small triangles at the top and bottom (4 total) to make narrower square tabs at the ends and discard that dough*.
- Spread the cream cheese filling down the center of the dough, leaving 2 to 3 inches on either side.
- Lay the apple slices on top of the cream cheese filling.
- Fold the end squares over the filling before starting with the diagonal strips.
- Fold the 1/2 inch wide dough strips up and over the filling, alternating sides so it looks like a braided pattern.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg to make an egg wash.
- Lightly brush the egg wash on top of the braid.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the filling is set and the dough is golden brown. (It took me 17 minutes.) Turn the baking sheet around 1/2 way through the baking process to cook both sides evenly.
- Let the danish cool on the baking sheet and then drizzle with the vanilla icing on top.
Directions for the Vanilla Icing:
- In a small bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until it is smooth. The consistency should be thin enough that it will drizzle off of a fork easily.
* When I say discard, I only mean it’s not needed for this recipe. Toast up the leftover pieces for a tasty snack.
Source: Tina’s Chic Corner
Here are some other awesome apple goodies.
Apple and Raisin Whole Wheat Muffins
This danish turned out BEE-U-TEE-FULL Tina!! I love using crescent rolls for breakfast braids as well. As far as pumpkin or apple: I can’t choose either as I like them both a lot!! Great recipe. 🙂
Thank you so so much! Have a lovely weekend. 🙂
This danish looks delicious, Tina! Cream cheese danishes are my favorite, and I love that you added apples in here, too. The icing looks incredible!
Danishes are one of my favorites too and I think this is my favorite one that I’ve made so far! Have a great weekend. 🙂
This is stunning! I’ve never made a danish before, but this looks so delicious. When it comes to pumpkin vs. apple, I love both, but I’m an apple girl at heart.
Thank you so much! If I really had to pick I think I’d have to pick apples too. 🙂
This Apple Danish recipe looks like a keeper!
Thank you!
Mmmm, likin’ the sound of this pairing, apples & cheese huh! Doubt if I could have left it at one slice either.
It is a real winner. 🙂
I don’t think this danish would stand a chance around me! I love danish, but have never made one. Love the step by step tutorial too, Tina! Pinning this! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hehe… this is pretty irresistible. I’m so glad that you love the photo tutorial. 🙂 Thanks so much for pinning!
this is beautiful Tina! i’ve always wanted to make one but it’s intimidating lol I love the how-to pis very great!
Thank you! I’m so glad that you love the photo guide. 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by!
This looks very impressive! I’ll trust you that it’s easy to make. : ) Great pictures showing how it’s done…that is very helpful.
I’m so glad that you find this helpful…that’s exactly my goal. 🙂
This Apple Cheese danish looks delicious and so pretty! I’ve always wanted to learn how to do the braid, but always get a little intimidated. I’m with you on the pumpkin and apple debate. I get obsessed with pumpkin when fall comes around, then I go back to apples once I have my fill. 🙂
Thank you! I hope the photos are a good guide if you decide to make a danish (even if not this one). I like the way you think… there is room for both pumpkin and apples and it’s fun to switch it up. Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂
What a gorgeous Danish! I went apple picking last weekend so I have SO many apples now. I love getting new ideas of what to make with them 🙂
Enjoy your weekend sweetie!
I love going apple picking with my husband. 🙂 I hope you’re having a good week, my friend!
Haha, I love it when I surprise myself! 🙂 You really did do an incredible job Tina. The step by step photos are so helpful! When I first starting baking, this is what me and my friend made for a dinner and the braiding part was the most fun (albeit, a little stressful too 😉 ) Pinning this! I bet it made your kitchen smell uh-mazing!
Thank you Mary Frances!! The kitchen did smell amazing…how can I bottle that up into a candle? 😉
This looks amazing! Love the how-to pictures. The pictures of the finished danish should be in a magazine!
You are so sweet! Thank you. 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by.
This danish looks so delicious! It reminds me of Sunday mornings after church with my family growing up…thanks for sharing!
Awh, what a lovely memory. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Jodee!
I have wanted to make something like this at home for the longest time! It sounds and looks amazing! I would pick apple over pumpkin. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely love me some pumpkin, but apples are one of my favorites!
It’s hard to go wrong with apples! No wonder why I love baking this time of the year. 🙂
Drooling, this is one of my favorite fall dishes. Thank you for that step by step as I always am wondering how they braid these Danishes. I will be right over, Get that kettle going…
I’m glad you like the step by step photos. 🙂 Tea/coffee is on! 😉
Tina, this is SUCH a gorgeous danish! Seriously I’m drooling here. I so wish I had a slice (or 10) this morning with my coffee. 😉
Thank you so much Sarah! I’m wishing I had a piece now too! Guess that means I need to make it again. 🙂
Oh my gosh, this danish is absolutely gorgeous Tina! I love danishes but have never tried making my own – this seriously looks better than any bakery version! I love the apple cheese ones the most too 🙂 I love apple and pumpkin treats but if I had to choose I think apples would win 🙂
You are so sweet! Thank you. 🙂
Nah, if you space out your servings it only counts as ONE serving 🙂 Love it – I wouldn’t be able to stay away from this danish!
Hehe…I love the way you think. 🙂
I LOVE pumpkin, but I love apples even more, especially when they are with cinnamon.
This sounds like the perfect Autumn dessert too.
Thanks for commenting on my blog 🙂 I am happy for us to comment on each other’s blogs each day 🙂
I appreciate you stopping by! I’m glad I found your blog and I just started following you on twitter. 🙂
Love homemade cheese danish! Bookmarking the recipe to try out! 😀
I hope you love this as much as we do! 🙂
Love the step by step tutorial, Tina. I’m a pumpkin girl myself, but my husband would LOVE this. Using crescent rolls is great. That in itself is a perfect step saver and would want me to make this more often.
So glad you love. 🙂
This apple cheese Danish looks crazy good!! I would have a hard time not eating the entire Danish myself!! 😉 Yum!
You are so kind! Thank you Jocelyn. 🙂
Can this be made without the apples? Have you tried it?
Thanks!
Absolutely and yes I’ve tried it! Here’s the recipe: http://tinaschic.com/2013/06/cheese-danish/
My family still requests that I make this so it surely is a family favorite. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do. 🙂