Apple Danish Recipe

This beautiful Apple Danish Braid is made with real danish pastry dough and filled with fresh apples. You can let the apple danish pastry rise in the refrigerator overnight and bake it first thing in the morning.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds apples (peeled, cored and cut into 1/2" cubes)
• 2 oz brown sugar (1/4 cup)
• 4 oz apple cider (1/2 cup, or apple juice)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 recipe Danish Dough
• OR
• 1 recipe Sourdough Danish
• 1 large egg for egg wash
• 1/4 cup apple jelly (or apricot preserves)
• 2-3 teaspoons milk
• 2 oz confectioner’s sugar (1/2 cup)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Make the Apple Filling ---
2. 2Combine1 ½ pounds apples with 2 oz brown sugar, 4 oz apple cider, ⅛ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon,½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Set aside to macerate for at least 1 hour and as long as 3 hours. Drain the apples, saving the juice. Combine 1/4 cup of the juice with 1 tablespoon cornstarch and set it aside.
3. 3Put the apples and the rest of the juice in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-high until the juices begin to boil. Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking until the apples are crisp-tender, stirring often. The apples should still hold their shape. The exact time will depend on the type of apple, estimate 10 minutes.
4. 4Add the corn starch mixture to the apples. Increase the heat to medium-high and return to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook until the juices are thickened and become translucent. Transfer the apple filling to a container and cool to room temperature. Chill until ready to use. The filling can be made 2-3 days ahead.
5. 5--- Assembly: ---
6. 6Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough to a 10” x 14” rectangle. Roll the dough onto a rolling pin and transfer onto a ½ sheet of parchment paper. Transfer the paper with the dough to a 1/2 sheet pan.
7. 7With the short side of the dough facing you, spoon the filling into the middle of the rectangle. Spread to a 3” wide strip down the middle of the dough, leaving a 1” border at the top and bottom.
8. 8Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut ¾” wide strips in a angled pattern on either side of the filling. Remove the top and bottom strips creating a tab of dough at each end.
9. 9Fold the top tab over the filling, then “braid” the cut strips of dough by folding them into the center in a criss-cross pattern then fold the bottom tab over before braiding the last strips.
10. 10Cover the braid with plastic wrap and set aside to rise for 1 1/2 - 2 hours, or cover and place in the refrigerator overnight. The dough should look lighter and a little puffy but won’t double in size. While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 350 °F.
11. 11Brush the entire braid with egg wash. Bake in the middle rack of the oven until golden brown, 15-20 minutes. After 10 minutes, if it looks like the bottom of the Danish is browning too fast slide another sheet pan under the Danish. As soon as the Danish comes out of the oven, brush with the apple jelly. Let the Danish cool for 20 minutes.
12. 12Stir together the milk and confectioner’s sugar. The glaze should have the texture of pancake batter. Add more sugar if it’s too loose or more milk if it’s too thick. Use a fork or whisk to drizzle the glaze over the Danish.
13. 13Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.