Apple Danish with Caramel

Name: Apple Danish with Caramel
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 (17.3 ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed (2 sheets); 1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling, roughly chopped; 1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 egg; 1 tablespoon water; Caramel sauce

Breakfast Desserts Fall Recipes Seasonal Favorites

These Caramel Apple Danish are filled with tender apples that are sprinkled with cinnamon and brown sugar, and then topped with a rich, caramel sauce. The recipe uses a puff pastry base and simple ingredients so you can make this easy breakfast or dessert in less than 30 minutes!

I always look forward to fall. Apple picking, pumpkin carving, cooler weather, pumpkin spice lattes (my addiction), and baking with all things apples, pumpkins, and more. Do you blame me?

And because making recipes and sharing them is my job, I get extra excited for fall. I have a list about 10 miles long that includes sweet and savory dishes for fall — apple this, pumpkin that, slow cooker fixings, sweet potatoes galore — you get the picture. From these pumpkin nutella muffins, to that apple pie granola, those loaded twice baked sweet potatoes, and these pumpkin-doodle cookies, I eat, breathe, and dream about fall goodies.

So, it only seemed natural that I start the season off with these oh-so easy Apple Danish with Caramel. These are kind of like a spin on my Easy Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls, but with a different base.

What Makes These Apple Danish with Carmel So Great?

They’re super easy to make: pre-made puff pastry and pre-made pie filling keep prep time short.
They’ve got all the cozy flavors of fall: cinnamon, apple, and caramel to top it off.
They work great as a breakfast treat or a dessert!

Ingredients Needed for Apple Danish

Mini puff pastry danish, filled with sweet apples and topped with caramel…what more could you ask for?

These Caramel Apple Danish are so easy to prepare. But, you knew that was coming, right? I used frozen puff pastry sheets (thawed) for the base of these danishes. Simply use a cookie cutter, or other round object (such as the bottom of a glass), to make the danish base.

Then, for extra ease, I used canned apple pie filling. Feel free to use fresh apples if you prefer, but I liked that they already came sliced and sweetened. But, just for good measure, I added in some cinnamon and brown sugar. Just wait until you smell these babies baking….it’ll definitely feel like fall!

Once these caramel apple danish are baked, top with some caramel sauce and get ready to be wowed.

How to Make Apple Danish

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a large baking pan with non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
Lightly flour a cutting board or other flat surface. Gently unfold both puff pastry sheets onto the surface. Use a rolling pan to flatten a bit more.
Using a round cookie cutter (or a round glass), cut nine circle from each sheet. Place each circle onto the prepared pan.
Light run a butter knife around the edge of each puff pastry piece to score a circular border to hold the filling.
In a small bowl, add apple pie filling, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir to combine.
Spoon the apple pie mixture evenly onto the center of each puff pastry circle.
In a small bowl, add egg and water. Gently whisk to combine, then brush the edges of the danish with the egg wash.
Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until danishes are golden brown.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
Spoon the caramel sauce over the tops of the danishes and serve immediately, or store in an airtight container until ready to serve. Enjoy!

The buttery danish, sweetened apples, and rich caramel give these Apple Danish an explosion of deliciousness. One bite and you’ll be coming back for more!

Danish Variations to Try

Taste the pie filling and if it’s sweet enough as it is, you can omit the brown sugar.
To incorporate more fall flavors, replace a cup of the apple pie filling with a cup of diced pear and stir to combine.
Sprinkle a little sparkling sugar onto the dough after the egg wash but before baking to give a bit of a sweet crunch to the danish.

How to Store Apple Danish

You can keep these puff pastry danish at room temperature in an airtight container. They’ll last up to 3 days, noting that the puff pastry becomes slightly stale over time.

Tips for Making Apple Danish

If you don’t have a cookie cutter, just use a large circular glass (like a wine glass) to cut the puff pastry.
Flour your rolling pin too when rolling out the puff pastry! This way the dough won’t stick to it.
If you don’t have a pastry brush to brush the egg wash onto the danish, you can use a paper towel or your finger.

Looking for more apple recipes? I’ve got you covered!