Apple Danish with Caramel
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!
- Cinnamon Vanilla Glazed Apple Cider Donuts
- Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
- Apple Cider Smoothie
- Caramel Apple Nachos
- Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake
- Glazed Apple Oatmeal Cookies
Apple Danish with Caramel
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
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. 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 surface. Use a rolling pan to flatten a bit more.
- Using a round cookie cutter, cut nine circles from each sheet. Place onto prepared pan.
- Lightly run a butter knife around the edges of each danish to score a circular border to hold filling. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, add apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir to combine. Spoon apple pie mixture evenly onto the center of each danish.
- In a small bowl, add egg and water. Gently whisk to combine. Brush edges of danish with egg wash.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until danishes are golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- Spoon caramel sauce over tops of danishes.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
YES!! I shared a Fall recipe today too, Gayle! Like you, I just couldn’t resist :). Fall is just so fantastic, love it!!
Puff pastry is just the best, isn’t it? I regularly use it for savoury and sweet recipes and it’s just so convenient , not to mention delicious! All that buttery flavour can’t be wrong, can it, lol :D. Can’t wait to try these. Bet they would be awesome when friends or family are over. Love how quick they come together!! Pinned, of course 🙂
Have a wonderful week! Xo
Yay for being fall twins! 🙂 Puff pastry is definitely the best! I love how versatile it is. Thanks for the kind words and pin, Dawn!
I’m glad you’re getting your autumn on, Gayle. I know that makes a lot of people happy. I usually dread the coming cold, but I’m kind of ambivalent right now. Plus, I love anything apple or pumpkin. And caramel apple is even better. I’m ready for fun! These are awesome.
I dread the cold, but I try not to think about it! 🙂 Thanks, Mir!
I’ll forgive you!! I’ve been dying to start fall baking, but I’m trying to wait until after Labor Day! These Danishes look delicious and the perfect way to use one of my favorite fall flavors!!
I’ve been testing fall recipes since July, so it was really hard for me to wait! 🙂 Thanks for the kind words, Megan!
Lol, FORGIVEN! 😉 I’m excited for fall too, don’t get me wrong… I just hate the colors of all the food. Brown, orange, yellow… it makes me miss all the vibrant, inspiring produce of spring and summer. BUT Fall food tastes amazing! So it more than makes up for its lack-luster appearance. 🙂 Like these danishes! OH MY WORD! YES! Puff pastry with apples, brown sugar, cinnamon and caramel?! NEEEEEED! These are fabulous, Gayle! Pinned of course! Cheers! <3
Haha I never thought of the color of foods…I guess it can be boring if not presented right! Thanks for the kind words and pin, Cheyanne!
These look SO good Gayle! I am definitely on the fall train already, too, but here it FEELS like fall already! The days are still somewhat warm but the mornings and evenings are chilly! I get excited for fall but definitely NOT for winter! Lol
The mornings feel like fall here too, but then it gets HOT, and I’m reminded it’s still summer! 🙂 Thanks for the kind words, Ashley!
I’m looking forward to fall so bring on the apple recipes! Love how quick and easy these danishes are!!
Thank you, Christin!
I’ve been fighting against fall recipes so far this year!! But man, these little caramel apple danishes are calling my name. They’re so cute and little, and I can never get enough of caramel apple flavored things. Yum!
I love fall, but I hate the cold season that comes after it! 🙂 Thanks for the danish love, Rachel!
Gayle, there’s absolutely nothing to forgive! I love the sound, the look and everything about this recipe!! 🙂 The apples, the caramel… *happy sigh* Considering that I’ve also already seen pumpkin recipes for over a month now, apple is a cool change! 🙂 Hand me like four of these tarts… and just maybe, a dozen of your pumpkin nutella muffins, my friend! 😉 I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us this fall. Pinning and sharing, of course. Happy Monday, my friend!
Thank you for your sweet comment, Demeter! I’m not breaking out the pumpkin recipes to share just yet, but I have made a few already. Happy Monday to you, too!
YESSS for the first fall recipe of the year! If fall was all year round, I would be one happy camper :). These look fantastic, Gayle! So comforting and perfect.
I’m right there with ya, I would love it if fall was year round, too! Thank you, Annie!
These look perfect Gayle! I have a ton of apples in the house, but no time to make something with them! Would love to try this recipe, pinned!
Thanks, Mira! These are so easy to make and perfect for those apples! 🙂
I don’t blame you, fall gets everyone excited 🙂 love these apple bites, they sound amazing!
Thanks, Manali!
Oh! No worries….I could eat fall foods all year long! I dream about it!! These apple danish are sweet in every way!
Thanks, Annie! Fall foods are the best!
These have me dreaming of Fall! We were just talking about going early apple picking so looks like I already have a recipe to enjoy!
Apple picking is so much fun! Thanks for the kind words, Pamela!
I don’t blame you at all…I came out with an apple recipe earlier than I normally would this year but pumpkin is not happening till September! haha These danishes look absolutely delicious and I can never turn down anything that’s caramel apple inspired! 🙂
Haha yes no pumpkin until September for me, either! Thanks for the danish love, Marcie!
These look so good, Gayle! We’re apple twins today! 🙂 Fall flavors are my favorite, and while I’m not ready for freezing cold days, I’ll take the fall foods now!
Aren’t fall foods the best? Thanks, Kristine!
I do love fall, I’m just not ready to let go of summer yet! Caramel apples are definitely one of my favorites and I love that you put it in a puff pastry! Pinned!
Thanks, Rachelle! Puff pastry is one of my favorite easy hacks!
Oh, I can’t wait for fall to be in full swing!! These sound delicious!
They’re SO good, Kelly!
I saw fresh apples at the farm stand the other day and I refused to buy them! Haha. I’m really in denial that fall is coming, yet I’m excited too. I do love fall, but that means winter is also coming and I HATE winter! These caramel apple danish do look like the perfect way to welcome fall, though! 🙂
Haha I know what mean! I love fall, but I absolutely hate the cold and snow. Thanks for the apple love, friend!
Bring on ALL the fall stuff, girl! You know I’m down with apples and pumpkin for the next 3-4 months! This danish is seriously SO gorgeous and exactly what I’m craving for breakfast right now! Loving the looks of those pretty apples!
I’m so happy apple and pumpkin season is almost here! Thanks for the kind words, Sarah!
I love how easy these are! Wish I had one to go with my coffee!
These were made to go with some coffee, Jessica! 🙂
Yes yes yes times a million! I’m super excited for fall too—fall baking is my favorite! And these little desserts need to go on my list!
Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by, Molly!
I’m ready for Fall and cooler weather and comfy recipes like this! I’ve had a great summer, but I’m ready for the next season!
I’m definitely ready for the next season, too! Thanks, Mary!
Cheers to the first fall recipe for 2016!!!!! Hooray!!! and I love this! puff pastry is the BEST!!!!
Thank you, Alice!
Yay for fall recipes! Love that you used puff pastry for these adorable mini danishes! Caramel apple anything gets me every time!! So yummy!!
Thanks, Kelly!
I love apples all year long, so this is quite fine over here! Caramel apple danishes sound so. dang. amazing right about now. I love catered brunch events because they always have danishes – I’m sure this version is way better. I still intend on enjoying what’s left of summer, but I’m excited for fall too!!!
I love brunch too because of all the danishes! It’s definitely a treat that I don’t have often enough! Thanks for the kind words, Jessica!
Yum! I love caramel apple and it’s such a fun idea to enjoy it in a danish. I can’t wait to give this a try, Gayle. Looks delicious!
Thank you, Jen! I’m hooked on these mini danishes! 🙂
Yay for the apple recipes! I am so ready for Autumn to begin! We had some pretty good apple cake in Ikea yesterday, and I thought to myself that I will have to try making it and this looks like a much better version. Something to make next time we have people over!
Oh apple cake sounds delicious, Dannii! And hooray for apple season! 🙂
yes one more dessert made from apple. want to say i love it , for thousand times. looks so sweet. Gayle pls post more recipe of Danish cuisine. i’m so excited. 😀
Thank you, Pat! Apple danish are the best, especially when caramel is involved!