Fresh Apple Danish
Tender flaky canned crescent dough is filled with fresh sautéed apples, cinnamon, and sugar to create this amazing Fresh Apple Danish! Drizzle it with a little sweet icing and top it off with slivered almonds! It’s the perfect breakfast pastry!
Today I would like to stick my head into a huge vat of Ice Cream and linger for a goodly amount of time…like forever! Anybody else ever want to hide from the world? I don’t think I really want to hide, but I’d like to yell at the Merry-Go-Round conductor to “Shut ‘er down!” This chick needs off!
Men are smart! They invented the “Mulligan” for their game of “golf”. Don’t like the first hit…just yell “Mulligan” and you get a do-over! We’ve all had a day or two that we want to shout…”Mulligan”!! Probably several! I know I have.
Since we can’t call a Mulligan, how about we find happiness in this simple, yet…impressive Apple Danish! Looks like a good place to find a little happiness and love for me!
Last weekend I was really craving French pastries! (Remember I was having a “Carb-a-holic” breakdown?) Since France was definitely out of the question… I decided I would bring a little France to my Nest…the easy way!
Not too much in the way of baking scares me but… French Baking…oh yeah…terrified! It’s on my “bucket list”, but until the day comes that I’m ready to conquer it…me and “dough boy” will make a go of it!
That’s right, this amazing Danish is made with an exploding, scare ya to death, blue can of crescent rolls! (I know you all close your eyes and brace yourself for impact when you hit that can on the edge of the counter!)
How to Make Quick Easy Fresh Apple Danish Filling
Before we start with the pastry, let’s talk about…the apple filling!
I made this filling with 2 pink lady apples! I love pink lady’s! They are firm and a little tart, so perfect for baking and a nice change from a granny smith.
TIP: You can use either. You could even use canned filling, but this is super simple to make, so, give it a whirl!
Peel and chop your apples into big chunks. In a medium skillet, melt 1/4 cup of butter and sauté the fresh apples for a few minutes.
Add 1/4 cup Brown Sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Continue cooking the apples till tender crisp and the sauce has begun to thicken. Don’t overcook the apples. You want them to still be a little crisp.
How To Create Braided Pastry for Apple Danish
Once the apple filling is ready, you are going to roll out your crescent dough into one big rectangle. You can purchase the “sheets” or the actual rolls.
If you purchase the rolls, pinch the pre-cut lines together. Roll it flat and straighten the edges as much as possible. It doesn’t have to be perfect…as you can clearly tell!
Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Lay your dough on top of the parchment paper. Using scissors, or a pizza cutter, cut strips along the outside edge on both sides, about an inch and half long depth wise and about 1/2 inch apart.
Pour your prepared filling down the center.
Creating the braided design
Gently grab one strip of dough and place it over the top of the filling at an angle. Then do the same thing on the opposite side. Placing them, so the two pieces create a “V”. Continue doing this all the way down the length of the dough.
TIP: Don’t worry if some of the pieces break off. Just piece it together. Mine was far from perfect! Once it bakes, and you dress it all up no one will know!
When you are done it should look like this. It’s okay that the filling is trying to escape. No worries.
Bake in a pre-heated 325-degree oven for 20–30 minutes. Check often.
Once golden brown, remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly.
Creating Vanilla Glaze
Mix your glaze using milk, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. You can switch for vanilla bean paste, instead of regular vanilla.
Drizzle the glaze in a back and forth motion, over the top of the Danish!
Next sprinkle it with slivered almonds and serve! Isn’t that beautiful Fresh Apple Danish? I know it makes me happy!
Recipe Wrap-UP
I cut mine into slices about 2 inches wide. That caramel apple filling is amazing. The apples are tender, crisp and not all “Mushy”!
Mars isn’t a fan of baked apples, but he absolutely loved this Danish! He even ate 3 slices!!!! WOW!!!
Crescent rolls make a simple yet, perfect light pastry dough. The filling is not overly sweet and is perfect for this Danish. Serve with fresh fruit and your choice of breakfast beverage, and you have a lovely weekend breakfast!
In fact, I can’t think of a better way to start off this weekend! This really is a simple and delicious breakfast pastry! I bet even your “littles” could help you make this one.
Other Favorite Breakfast Recipes From My Nest
- Blueberry Lemon Soda Bread Muffins
- Classic Buttermilk Pancakes
- Cranberry Orange Scones
- Cakemix Cinnamon Rolls
- Crumb Baked Donuts
- Skillet Apple Pie Biscuit Bites from Soulfully Made
The printable is below! Have a Fantastic Weekend! I’m off to find my “vat” of Ice Cream! (wink, wink)
Happy Nesting!
Printable Recipe Card
Fresh Apple Danish
Ingredients
- 1 can Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
- 2 apples pink lady or granny smith, peeled, seeded and chopped
- 1/4 cup real butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- dash of salt
- 1/4 cup powder sugar
- 2 teaspoons milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Handful of slice almonds
Instructions
- In a medium skillet, over medium heat, melt butter. Once melted add in the fresh chopped apples. Saute for 2 minutes. Add in the brown sugar and cinnamon. Continue to saute until the apples are tender crisp and the sauce is bubbling. Remove from heat and let rest.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Flour a flat surface. Break open the can of crescent rolls. Gently un-roll onto the floured surface. Pinch the cut line together and using a floured rolling pin, gently roll out into one piece. (This is just to help flatten it out) Carefully pick up the dough and move onto the lined baking sheet. Using kitchen scissors cut 1/2 inch wide strips down the length of the dough on both sides. You want the strips to be about 1 1/2 inch deep.
- Pour the apple filling down the center of the dough. Carefully bring up your first strip and lay it at an angle on top of the filling. Do the same thing on the opposite side. The dough should form a "V" on the top of the filling. Continue to do this down the entire length of the dough.
- Preheat oven to 325° (F). Place the finished braided dough in the center of the rack of your oven and bake for 20–30 minutes . Check often. When the dough is golden brown and the filling is bubbly, it is time to remove the Danish from the oven and allow it to cool slightly.
- While the Danish is cooling, mix the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and the milk together. It should form a thick syrup. If it is too runny, add more powdered sugar. Using a tablespoon, drizzle the glaze over the top of the Danish in a back and forth motion. Top with sliced almonds and serve while still warm.
Nutrition
About the Author
Meet The Author
Hi! I'm Norine, the cook, baker, and recipe creator behind Norine's Nest. I love sharing and creating recipes that invite family, friends, and neighbors to gather around the dinner table. Sharing good food and creating memories with those we love brings me happiness. Thanks for stopping by my Nest!
This is amazing! i am so gonna try it.
You will LOVE it! It’s so yummy with those fresh apples! Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat! We can all use a little treat right? 😉
Have a GREAT week! Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting with me!
Happy Nesting and Apple Danish making!
~Norine
YUM!!! I can handle an exploding can of crescents if it ends up being this!! Can’t wait to try!
Thanks Tracy! It’s totally worth the exploding can! 🙂 Let me know how you like it!