Description
Espresso Apple Cream Cheese Danish is a delightful pastry combining flaky puff pastry with creamy sweetened cream cheese, topped with tender espresso-infused apples and finished with a drizzle of caramel sauce. This easy-to-make breakfast or dessert treat features a perfect balance of rich espresso flavor and warm cinnamon-spiced apples, ideal for impressing guests or enjoying a cozy morning.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
Cream Cheese Filling
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Espresso Apple Topping
- 2 medium apples, thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Pink Lady)
- 1/4 cup brewed espresso
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Additional Ingredients
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce, for drizzling
- 2 tablespoons pearl sugar or crushed nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Poach the apples: In a saucepan, combine the thinly sliced apples, brewed espresso, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Simmer over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes until the apples are just tender but still hold their shape. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool completely.
- Prepare cream cheese filling: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Prepare the puff pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets. Using a cookie cutter, cut the dough into rounds. Score a smaller circle inside each round to help with puffing and structure during baking.
- Assemble the danishes: Place the pastry rounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spoon a generous amount of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each round. Top the cream cheese with a few pieces of the cooled espresso-poached apple slices.
- Apply egg wash: Brush the edges of each pastry round with the beaten egg to give a beautiful golden color and help seal the edges during baking.
- Bake the danishes: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the assembled danishes for 18 to 22 minutes, or until they are puffed up and golden brown.
- Finish and serve: Allow the danishes to cool slightly on a wire rack. Drizzle each danish with caramel sauce and sprinkle with pearl sugar or crushed nuts if desired for added texture and sweetness.
- Serve: Enjoy the danishes warm or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady for best texture after poaching.
- Ensure puff pastry is well thawed and cold before rolling to prevent sticking and tearing.
- Scoring the smaller circle inside the pastry rounds helps create a well-defined edge that holds the filling in place.
- Pearl sugar or nuts add a nice crunch, but they are optional.
- Espresso can be substituted with strong brewed coffee if needed.
