This recipe for easy apple pastry yields the most delicious mouth-watering apple turnovers. Using a store-bought puff pastry shortcut, they’re crazy easy!
I love to keep a batch or two of my homemade puff pastry dough on hand so that I can make these quick apple turnovers whenever the craving arises. They always come out so flaky, buttery, and airy. The perfect brunch appetizer or snack to pack away in a school lunch!
Note: If you don’t want to make homemade puff pastry, snag some premade puff pastry sheets from the freezer aisle of the grocery store.
Best Apples for Apple Pies or Apple Pastry
There are tons of different types of apples out there but not all are created equal when it comes to making turnovers. Granny Smith apples (the light green, tart apples) are my favorite type to use for this recipe. Slightly sour and hard to the touch, they stand up well during the baking process and give the pastries a nice bite. Other great options are fuji, honeycrisp, and gala apples. You can even use a combination of a few!
How to Prepare this Easy Apple Pastry Recipe
Preparing these 4 ingredient apple turnovers only requires 10 minutes of prep time and a quick 15 minutes of bake time.
- Prepare the Apples: First, peel and slice the apples into thin pieces and set them aside.
- Assemble the Pastries: Place 4-5 apple slices into the center of each pastry square and top with a spoonful of cinnamon sugar. Fold the sides over to create a tiny pocket and seal them by pinching the edges with your fingers. Assemble the pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Brush the Pastries: Next, whisk the eggs in a small bowl and brush the tops of the turnovers with the egg wash. Sprinkle more sugar on top of the pastries.
Dessert Hack: Transform these apple pastry tarts into the perfect dessert by topping them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. YUM!
5 Tips for Making a Perfect Apple Pastry
While this apple dessert is almost too easy to be called a recipe, a couple of tricks of the trade will help you knock it out of the park.
- Don’t pre-cook the apples. There’s no need to pre-cook your apples. Just be sure to cut them into thin, uniform slices – this will yield the best texture!
- Use extra cold puff pastry. Make sure the puff pastry dough is really cold when you are shaping your turnovers. The colder the puff pastry is, the more slowly the butter inside the dough will melt in the oven. This process creates the signature light and fluffy layering of the puff pastry.
- Work on a floured surface. Make sure to flour the surface you are going to work with your puff pastry on. You don’t want the dough to stick!
- Prep the pastries ahead of time. If you need to wait to bake them, refrigerate turnovers until you are ready to pop them in the oven. They will keep it for 24 hours!
- Create a bakery-worthy pastry sheen. Brush the tops of apple turnovers with whisked eggs to achieve that beautiful golden color on top. Don’t skip this simple step!
Hot Tip: Swap the white sugar for brown sugar for a deeper flavor and perfect Fall treat.
Storing & Reheating Tips
To keep the turnovers on hand for 3 days, store them in an airtight container on the counter. If you want to keep them on hand for a week, store them in the fridge instead. The best way to reheat apple turnovers is in the oven or an air fryer (not the microwave – they’ll just get soggy!) at 350°F for 3-5 minutes. This will help them return to their perfectly crispy, fresh-out-of-the-oven texture.
Freezer Tip: You can also freeze the raw pastries for up to 2 months and bake them straight from frozen for a quick dessert!
FAQ
No, you should not bake the apples before using them for apple pastry unless you prefer a more applesauce-like texture. Baking apples fresh allows them to soften, while also keeping a nice subtle texture to them.
Is puff pastry the same as a pie crust?
No, puff pastry and pie crust are not the same. Pie crust is more dense, buttery, and cake-like, while puff pastry is light, buttery, and flakey.
Why did the puff pastry of your apple pastry get soggy?
The crust of the apple pastry gets soggy if you use a moist apple pie filling. This is why it’s best to bake fresh fruit on top instead of pie filling. The crust will also turn out soggy if you don’t bake it long enough.
Can you use frozen apples for apple pastry?
It’s best to not use frozen apples for apple pastry. As they bake, they will release moisture and cause the pastry to turn soggy and limp.
More Tasty Apple Recipes to Try
Quick Apple Turnovers (4 Ingredients)
If you’re looking for a foolproof apple pastry recipe, you’re in the right place. All you need is store bought puff pastry, sliced apples, sugar & egg wash!
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Peel and slice the apples into 8-10 pieces and set them aside.
- Roll out the pastry dough on a well-floured surface. Cut the pastry sheet into 8 equal pieces and place 4-5 pieces of apple in the center of each. Top with a spoonful of sugar.
- Fold the dough over the apples, creating tiny pockets. Place each pie on a lined baking sheet. Whisk the eggs in a small bowl and brush the tops of each pie with the whisked eggs. Sprinkle on some more sugar.
Note: You can use an egg wash to help seal filled apple turn overs.
Quick Apple Turnovers (4 Ingredients)
Amount Per Serving
% Daily Value*
Saturated Fat 6g
Trans Fat 0.003g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 12g
Vitamin A 92IU
Vitamin C 5mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This is the best Apple Pie with Puff Pastry that’s so easy to make! Delicious caramelized apple slices wrapped into buttery layers of puff pastry dough will make a great seasonal dessert.
If you love a classic apple pie but don’t want to spend too much time to prep it, try making this amazing Apple Pie with Puff Pastry! This recipe takes just a fraction of time to make, needs less ingredients, and you will have the best apple pie flavor wrapped into buttery layers of puff pastry.
And when you decide to make a traditional version, you can try my Classic Apple Pie Recipe with Foolproof Pie Dough.
Why you will love this recipe
- Easy to make. This recipe comes together in two simple steps and baking won’t take more than 20 minutes!
- Just a few ingredients. All you need is only 5 ingredients and egg wash to brush the dough!
- Great alternative to a classic apple pie! If you are craving traditional apple pie flavors but don’t feel like making it, this simple dessert will be a perfect treat for your whole family!
Ingredients and Substitution
- Sugar. I like to use brown sugar for the apple pie filling to create a better caramelization. If you don’t have it on hand, you can easily substitute it with granulated sugar.
- Add-ons. Feel free to add some extras to the filling, like chopped pecans, walnuts, or dried cranberries.
How to make it
Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tbsp butter and 3 peeled, cored, and sliced apples. Cook for a few minutes, until softened, then add 1 tsp cinnamon and ¼ cup brown sugar. Continue cooking for anther 5-7 minutes or until they are soft and caramelized. Take the skillet off the heat and set aside to cool off.
Place thawed puff pastry dough on a counter top or a cutting board and cut the dough in half lengthwise.
Place one half on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop the caramelized apple slices in the middle of the dough, leaving about 1 inch on the sides.
Whisk an egg in a bowl, and using a pastry brush, brush the edges on the puff pastry dough.
Top it with another layer of dough and seal the edges, by pinching them on the sides. Using a pairing knife, make a few cuts in the center, creating vents.
Brush the top with more egg wash and top with the raw or coarse sugar.
Bake at 400˚F for about 20 minutes or until the top is golden/brown.
Tips for Best Results
- Puff Pastry Dough. After you thaw the dough, make sure you keep it cold. If you are not ready to bake right away, you can place it in the fridge until ready to use.
- Sealing dough. When you place apple pie filling in the middle of the puff pastry dough sheet, you will need to leave a least 1 inch on the sides. Brush it with egg wash before you place the second layer of dough on top and seal the edges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What apples to use for an Apple Pie?
This recipe will work with pretty much any apple varieties. If you like it more tart, you can use Granny Smith. If you like them a bit sweeter, you might use Honey Crisp, Gala, McIntosh, or Fuji.
How to store?
If you have any leftovers, just transfer them to an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. You can reheat it in the oven at 350F for about 10 minutes before serving.
Can I make it ahead of time?
This dessert tastes best when served warm with a scoop of ice cream. You can prep and assemble it a couple of hours ahead of time, refrigerate, and then bake before serving.
Hungry for more desserts?
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time40 mins
Servings: 4 people
- ▢ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ▢ 3 medium apples
- ▢ 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ▢ ¼ cup brown sugar
- ▢ 1 sheet puff pastry
- ▢ 1 egg
- ▢ 2 tablespoons coarse sugar
- Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tbsp butter and 3 peeled, cored, and sliced apples. Cook for a few minutes, until softened, then add 1 tsp cinnamon and ¼ cup brown sugar. Continue cooking for anther 5-7 minutes or until they are soft and caramelized. Take the skillet off the heat and set aside to cool off.
- Place thawed puff pastry dough on a counter top or a cutting board and cut the dough in half lengthwise.
- Whisk an egg in a bowl, and using a pastry brush, brush the edges on the puff pastry dough.
- Top it with another layer of dough and seal the edges, by pinching them on the sides. Using a pairing knife, make a few cuts in the center, creating vents.
- Brush the top with more egg wash and top with the raw or coarse sugar.
Reader Interactions
This easy-to-make, flaky, apple cream cheese puff pastry recipe is filled with sweet cream cheese and apple filling. It is a delicious puff pastry recipe that is great for breakfast, brunch, a midday snack, or a light dessert, especially when served warm.
I’m a big fan of pastries. I buy them almost every time I go shopping at our local grocery store. We have an amazing bakery section, and the pastries I get there are just as good as anything you’ll find at a bakery. As much as I love the pastries at my store, sometimes it can be hard to find them at their freshest. We all know how stores work. Pastries are made one day and then sold for the next three days. No matter how good a pastry is, by the time you get into the third day, it’s not going to be super fresh. It might even be a little stale. That’s why I love making my own pastries. I’ve been doing it for years, and one of my favorite variations are these little squares that I make with puff pastry, apple filling, and cream cheese filling.
These delicious pastries start with refrigerated puff pastry to keep things easy. Then, I make a simple apple pie filling and a sweet cream cheese filling. I added them both and bake my pastries up to golden, delicious perfection. What I end up with is a flaky, tender, golden brown puff pastry with a sweet and tangy filling that explodes with classic pastry flavor in every bite.
Why You’ll Love These Apple Puff Pastries
- They’re delicious, flaky, and filled with sweet cream cheese and apple filling, then baked to golden perfection.
- They’re a perfect fall dessert recipe using simple ingredients.
- They are also great for making year-round.
- And, they’re a family favorite apple pastry recipe.
Apple Puff Pastry Tips and Variations
This recipe is incredibly easy, but I do have some tips to help you make them the best that they can possibly be. I also have some wonderful variations that I think you’re going to love.
- Always cook your apple filling over low heat. You want it to come to temperature slowly so everything gets nice and tender.
- Be sure your cream cheese is fully softened to achieve that perfect, fluffy texture.
- Remember, golden brown should be more golden than brown. If your pastries are brown, they’re overdone.
- Make any fruity filling you like. Any berries, pineapple, peaches, plums, and the like all work well.
- Serve these pastries with a small bowl of glaze on the side for dipping!
What are the best baking apples?
There are several apples that work very well for baking.
- Granny Smith
- Jonagold
- Honeycrisp
- Braeburn
- Mustus
- Pink Lady
- Cortland
- Jonathan
- Northern Spy
What makes a pastry a Danish?
While pastry and Danish tend to be used interchangeably, they’re different. A Danish rises due to yeast, while a pastry is made with puff pastry which rises due to the steam released from the layers of dough.
Do cream cheese Danishes need to be refrigerated?
Even though the cream cheese is baked, pastries and Danishes made with cream cheese still need to be refrigerated.
Can you freeze apple and cream cheese Danishes?
Absolutely. They’ll last for about two weeks in the freezer.
How to Store Cream Cheese Apple Pastries
Store them in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to a week.
Apple Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Ingredients
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make these easy apple pastries. You’ll find everything you need easily at your local grocery store.
- Granny smith apples
- Water
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Cinnamon
- Lemon juice
- Cream cheese
- Egg yolk
- Vanilla extract
- Large egg
- Powdered sugar
- Puff Pastry
How to Make Apple Cream Cheese Puff Pastry
You’ll only need a few minutes and a few steps to make this recipe.
Make the Apple Filling
Bring water, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice to a boil over low heat in a medium saucepan, stirring constantly. Continue to boil for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce thickens. Then, add the apples, stir, and let them simmer for 8 to 10 minutes.
Make the Cream Cheese Mixture
Beat the cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl for 2 to 3 minutes until fluffy. Then, add the sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, and lemon juice and beat for another 2 minutes.
Make the Egg Wash
Whisk the egg and water together in a small bowl and set aside.
Make the Squares
Roll out the seams of the puff pastry dough on a lightly floured surface and cut in half lengthwise. Using a knife, cut each strip into 3 equal pieces for a total of 6 pastries per sheet. Then, fold each of the 12 sheets into a triangle and make a cut about ½ inch from the two sides, making sure not to cut all the way to the tip of the triangle. Finally, unfold the triangles and fold one side over the other and the other side back over to the opposite side.
Add the Filling
Add a spoonful of cream cheese mixture and a spoonful of apple filling to the center of each pastry.
Step 6
Place the pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then brush the edges with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar if desired. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown. Once pastries are cool, drizzle with glaze. Enjoy!
Try These Apple Cream Cheese Puff Pastries Today
These delicious apple puff pastries are easier to make than you’d think and so delicious. They’re the perfect sweet breakfast, snack, or addition to any potluck. Give them a try, and I know you’ll find yourself making them again and again. It doesn’t get much better than this combo of sweet flavors, ease, and simplicity.
More Delicious Pastry Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Peach Cream Cheese Danish – Fresh peaches and a sweet cream cheese mixture, wrapped up in a flaky pastry crust. A delicious sweet treat for breakfast.
Apple Cinnamon Hand Pies – A simple and easy way to make individual serving desserts. This flaky pie crust is filled with homemade apple pie filling. They’re sooo delicious!
Cherry Cream Cheese Danish – Another rendition of fruit filled Danish, but these are made with tart cherries and a sweet cream cheese mixture.
And, try this Blueberry Pastry from Great Grub, Delicious Treats. This recipe is so simple, it takes on three ingredients and tastes like it came straight out of a bakery.
For the Apple Filling
- 4 large Granny Smith apples, peel, core and chop into small pieces.
- 1 ½ cups water
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Cream Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 box Puff Pastry sheets
For the Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
For the Glaze Drizzle
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, bring water, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Continue stirring for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens up.
- Once the sauce has thickened, add apples, stir and let simmer for 8-10 minutes.
Making the Pastries
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out seams of pastry dough and cut dough in half lengthwise. Then cut each strip into three equal pieces (for a total of 6 pastries per sheet.
- Unfold each triangle and fold one side over to the other side and the other side back over to the opposite side.
- Add a spoonful of cream cheese mixture and a spoonful of apple filling into the center of each pastry.
- Place on the prepared baking sheet. Brush edges of pastry with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, if desired, and bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden.
- In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar, milk and vanilla together until combined.
- Drizzle over pastries once cool.
Every once in a while, I cheat. I don’t mean cheating on my beloved. That’s not happening. But shortcuts in the kitchen, now that’s the type of cheating I will do and feel good about. This Easy Apple Puff Pastry Tart is just the latest in my forays into shortcuts that definitely work.
It would make a great Thanksgiving dessert. An untraditional alternative to apple pie, with filling that’s less sweet and gooey. Plus the outside has more crunch and it’s much easier to cut. An elegant winner that is sure to wow your family and friends.
Occasionally, I use a boxed cake mix. (My poppy seed cake is a family favorite, even though it starts with Duncan Hines.) And I’m not above buying pomegranate seeds in a ready-to-use package.
But my favorite shortcut is store-bought puff pastry. I’ve already done Puff Pastry Potato Roses and Chocolate Marzipan Tarte Soleil, not to mention Apple and Honey (single serve) Tarts and Roasted Red Grape and Rosemary Tart. Now, with apple season in full swing, I’m all about this simple tart that is easy to put together but is oh so elegant.
The inspiration for this tart is the apple cinnamon slab pie on Natasha’s Kitchen. I borrowed the concept of using puff pastry for a long, strudel-like pastry. My version diverges a bit in the filling and technique. Plus my directions are a bit more specific.
The recipe has a few steps and a bunch of equipment listed. But don’t be put off. It’s really easy and looks elegant when done.
The Ingredients and How to Make this Recipe Vegan
My ingredients are mostly the same. But I’ve upped the amount of apples, added cardamom (preferably roasted) in the filling, and cut down on the butter. You can use any apples that work for pie. I prefer a combination and generally use at least one Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
This is not an ad for Trader Joe’s, though I do love the store’s puff pastry. (Note that the store only seems to carry it during the fall and early winter. I often stock up and freeze several boxes.) My second choice after Trader Joe’s is Dufour, which is lovely but expensive. Pepperidge Farm puff pastry is widely available, but not as good IMHO because it uses oil rather than butter. That being said, Pepperidge Farm puff pastry is vegan.
The flour is not really an ingredient. Use it to keep the dough from sticking to your mat or counter as you create the tart.
Plus, I’ve played with the basic recipe and found some excellent variations.If you’re into ginger, as I am, adding chopped crystallized ginger is a nice touch. You can even add fresh cranberries and slivered almonds.
Although it’s not essential to the finished product, for the topping I like to mix sparkling (coarse) sugar, which is pure white, with brown Demerara sugar.
The egg is not really an ingredient. It simply “glues” the top of the tart to the bottom and glazes the top so the sugars stay on.
Steps in Making the Easy Apple Puff Pastry Tart
The exact shape does not matter, but I do roll the pastry out to a larger rectangle than Natasha does. Mine is generally about 10 & 1/2 inches x 13 inches (27 cm x 33 cm.) And I don’t fuss to much about the exact size or the edges.
After peeling the apples, core and slice them.
The filling is simple. First, melt the butter. Then add the apple slices and cook them for a short time. Next add the brown sugar and spices, cooking the mixture until the slices soften and brown.
After placing the cooked apple slices on the bottom piece of dough, brush egg on the edges. Then add the top and press down the sides. (I do that latter step with a the tines of a fork.) Finally, brush the top with egg and sprinkle the sugar. Then make a few slits in the top – as you would for a two crust pie – and bake.
Tips for Making an Easy Apple Puff Pastry Tart
- Apple slices. Make them thin and chill the cooked slices to make it easier to pile them in a line down the center of the tart. Don’t worry if they begin to brown before you cook them, as they will brown during the cooking process. If they render a lot of juice during cooking, don’t use all of it when you put the apples onto the dough. Keeping too much liquid with the apples will just leak out during baking. You can hold some back and drizzle part or all of it into the tart after baking through the slits.
- Working with puff pastry dough. Keep it cool. If your room is warm or the dough seems too warm, refrigerate the part you are not using at the moment. (I refrigerate the top while I’m working with the bottom one.) Also, cutting the top slightly larger than the bottom allows the top to hang over the apples and still meet the edge of the bottom piece.
- Closing the tart. I use the tines of a fork to press the top and bottom together. You can do that, or fold the edges, or some combination. Whatever you do, the goal is to seal the edges tightly, so the inside does not seep out.
Make this Tart into Vegan Easy Apple Puff Pastry Tart
You can make this tart vegan with 3 easy changes in the recipe:
Using store bought pastry makes this tart simple. It’s elegant too, perfect for a small gathering when you want to impress during apple season.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 17 minutes
cool 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 27 minutes
- 3
tablespoons
butter or vegan alternative, melted
1 & 1/2 oz/43 g - 1/4
cup
brown sugar (light or dark), packed
2 oz/53 g - 3/4
teaspoon
round cinnamon - 1/2
teaspoon
ground cardamom - 1
sheet
puff pastry, defrosted from frozen - all-purpose flour (for dusting)
- 1
egg, lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon water, or vegan alternative
- Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C.
- Brush the egg wash over the empty border. Take the second (top) sheet out of the refrigerator and gently place it on top of the dough with the apple slices lined up. Gently press around the edges to seal the pastry or seal it. Using a fork to seal works well, but you can do it with your fingers, rolling it slightly, or any other way that creates a tight seal.
- Brush the top with the egg wash or vegan alternative, sprinkle the coarse sugar over the top and add a few vents with the sharp knife to let the air out of the pastry as it bakes.
- Slide the parchment onto the pan and bake for 15-17 minutes, until the top of the puff pastry is golden. Cool to warm or room temperature before cutting.
I’ve frozen the baked tart, defrosted it and reheated for about 20 minutes at 350°F/180°C.
This delicious cream cheese puff pastry with apples is a delicious pastry recipe made with a sweet cream cheese mixture, homemade apple filling, and baked until the puff pastry dough is golden and flaky. A delicious fall recipe that you are sure to enjoy.
If you love pastries as much as I do, then I have a real winner for you. I’ve had a love affair with pastries for as long as I can remember. I love that flaky dough, the fruity, cheesy filling, and of course, that sweet drizzle over the top of it all. I used to routinely buy pastries for my grocery store’s baked goods section. The thing was that even though they had the flavor I loved, they were almost always not as fresh as they could be. I could never seem to time it just right to get them on the day that they were made. That’s when I decided to simply start making my own pastries at home.
Between me, my kids, and their friends, it became apparent that I’d be making them forever after I first gave them a shot. We’d eat them for breakfast. My kids would have them with their friends as an afterschool snack. Sometimes, we’d simply grab them in the middle of the day for snacking if there happened to be any left on the weekend. Now that my kids are off on their own, I still make these pastries to have on hand. I’m happy to say that my daughter has taken up the mantle as a pastry provider, as well. Her family loves them as much as she did growing up.
This delicious, flaky puff pastry recipe has everything we love about traditional pastries but without nearly the amount of work. They do take a few ingredients and a little prep, but the results are so worth it. And using store bought puff pastry dough takes away a ton of the work. These are the perfect dessert or snack to make on the weekend. If you want to make a double batch, you can even make them on a Sunday and still have enough for a quick breakfast come Monday!
Flaky, golden brown puff pastry is loaded with sweet apple filling, tangy cream cheese filling, and an easy glaze that brings the entire thing together. It’s absolutely everything we love about pastries!
Why You’ll Love This Apple Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Recipe
- It’s easy to make and only uses a few simple ingredients.
- It’s filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture and homemade apple pie filling.
- It is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or snacking!
I have a few tips here to help ensure that you make these as delicious as they can possibly be. I also have some variations that I think you’ll love.
- Be sure your cream cheese is fully softened to achieve that smooth, creamy texture.
- Don’t try to rush the filling by using higher heat. The key is to bring it to a boil using low heat.
- Always line your baking sheet for easy cleanup.
- You can make any of your favorite fruity pie fillings for this recipe. Berries, pineapple, peaches, and the like are all delicious with this recipe.
- I prefer the tartness of Granny Smith apples with this recipe, but you can use any apple variety you like.
- For a richer glaze, use cream in place of milk.
What to Serve with Cream Cheese Puff Pastry
Pastries like this are best served with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk. You can also make a breakfast out of them by pairing them with something like sausage or bacon.
Cream Cheese Puff Pastry FAQ
Read on to learn the answer to the most commonly asked questions about this recipe.
What are cream cheese puff pastries?
They’re any pastry made with a base of puff pastry dough and topped with a sweet cream cheese mixture.
How do I make puff pastry crispy?
The key to crispy puff pastry is cooking it at a high temperature. It doesn’t take long for the pastry to cook, and the high temperature will crisp it as it bakes to golden brown.
What’s the difference between pastry and Danish?
Danish is leavened with yeast, while puff pastry rises due to the steam its layers produce as it heats up.
Cream Cheese Puff Pastry with Apples Ingredients
The recipe uses simple ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store.
- Puff pastry dough
- Optional: caramel bits
For the Apple Filling
- Granny smith apples
- Water
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Cinnamon
- Lemon juice
For the Cream Cheese Mixture
- Cream cheese
- Sugar
- Egg yolk
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla
For the Glaze Drizzle
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla
- Milk
This recipe might seem complicated, but it’s actually very easy. The apple filling, cream cheese mixture, and glaze are all basic recipes that even beginners can do.
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Set out the cream cheese to soften and peel, core, and chop the apples.
Bring water, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice to a boil in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Continue to boil for 3 to 4 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Then, add the apples, stir, and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes or until the apples are tender.
Beat cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl for about 2 minutes or until fluffy. Then, add the sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, and lemon juice and beat for an additional 2 minutes.
Prep the Puff Pastry
Roll out the seams of the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Then, cut each dough in half and then cut those halves into 3 pieces. You’ll end up with 12 pieces.
Make the Puff Pastry
Place each pastry piece onto the prepared baking sheet. Then, add a tablespoon of cream cheese mixture and a tablespoon of apple filling to the center of each pastry. Place caramel bits if desired. Be aware that they won’t melt, but they’re so good. Finally, score the edges about 1/2-inch from the edge, making a square but not going all the way through.
Brush the edges of the pastries with egg wash, then bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until golden. Let the pastries cool and then drizzle with the glaze.
Try This Delicious Apple Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Today
This apple cream cheese puff pastry recipe is easy to make, but it tastes like it takes a ton of work. Puff pastry is topped with homemade apple and cream cheese fillings and then baked to golden perfection. It sounds involved, but it really only takes about 30 to 45 minutes from start to finish – including the baking time! A recipe this easy and delicious absolutely needs to be tried, and if you do, I know you’ll find yourself making it again and again.
More Puff Pastry Desserts You’ll Enjoy
Lemon Cream Cheese Pastry Ring – A zesty, lemon curd pastry made with cream cheese mixture, a flaky pastry crust, and a sweet drizzled.
Blueberry Cream Cheese Puff Pastries – A bite-sized pastry made with fresh blueberries, cream cheese, and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish – The perfect pastry to make for brunch or dessert. It’s made with fresh strawberries, a cream cheese mixture, and a homemade icing.
And, try this Blackberry Cream Cheese Puff Pastry from Deliciously Seasoned. A perfect pastry for breakfast, brunch, or dessert that is made with a sweet cream cheese mixture, fresh blackberries, all place din a puff pastry shell and drizzled with a sweet glaze.
Cream Cheese Puff Pastry with Apples is a delicious pastry recipe made with apple filling, a sweet cream cheese mixture, and a sweet glaze, all placed in a flaky pastry crust.
Breakfast/Brunch, Brunch, Dessert, Fall Dessert
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, bring water, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Continue stirring for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens up.
- Once the sauce has thickened, add apples, stir and let simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the apples are tender..
- Add sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, lemon juice and beat for an additional 2 minutes.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out seams on the puff pastry.
- Cut each dough in half and then cut each strip into 3 pieces (will end up with 12 pieces).
- Place each pastry dough on the prepared baking sheet(s).
- Add a tablespoon of cream cheese mixture and a tablespoon of apple filling to the center of each pastry.
- Brush the edges with egg wash.
- Bake in preheated oven for 12-14 minutes or until golden.
- Remove from oven and once cool, drizzle with glaze over the top and enjoy.
- In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla together until combined.
- Once the pastries have cooled, drizzle with glaze.
Nutritional values are approximate.
Please note that these values can change with different brands and any modifications made to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements.
Apple Cream Cheese Pastries, Apple Cream Cheese Pastry, Apple Pastries, Apple Pastry
Let us know how it was!
This apple tart with puff pastry is a 5-step, 5-ingredient recipe with a sweet and woody depth from cinnamon playing off the crisp and tart apples. A fabulous puff pastry dessert with apples, that has all the feels of an apple pie but takes a fraction of the time to make.
It’s still too hot and humid here to call it fall, but the autumnal mood has set in. And a puff pastry tart topped with any fruit has become my favorite. I don’t need any special equipment or ingredients to make fruit puff pastry, and it hardly takes 15 minutes to put it together.
After cherries and strawberries, apple puff pastries were in the books. And let me say this: by the time the puff pastry tart apples were baked, temptation had a stronghold on us.
We didn’t even bother with any toppings before serving, but now as I think back on it, a big, thick, cold scoop of ice cream would have been delicious with the caramelized but still-crisp apples.
Process of making the tart
BOOKMARK THIS PUFF PASTRY TART APPLE BECAUSE
It’s a super quick take on an apple pie
It takes max 45 minutes from rolling to baking
It’s a fantastic way to use up any puff pastry lying around
It’s an impressive dessert, a teatime snack, and great for brunch
HOW TO MAKE APPLE PUFF PASTRY TART?
Step 1: Flour your work surface lightly, then roll the puff pastry into a 12-inch-long rectangle.
Step 2: Place the puff pastry on a parchment-lined tray. Pick up a sharp knife and score a half-inch border around the perimeter of the puff pastry.
Step 3: Combine homemade cream cheese and icing sugar in a mixing bowl, then spread it over the puff pastry.
Step 4: Spread evenly and then layer sliced apples on top along with cinnamon and granulated sugar.
Step 5: Bake the apple tart with puff pastry for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden, flaky, and bubbling with juices.
Final step: Serve warm.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=L2RFJaeI7S0%3Ffeature%3Doembed
APPLE TART RECIPE TIPS
- After cutting the apples, I tossed them in lemon juice, so they didn’t oxidize while I prepped the rest of the recipe. The juice lends only a tiny hint of lemony note somewhere at the back of the apple puff pastries.
- Not all apple pastry puffs have cream cheese, but I want to give this pastry with apples an extra layer of indulgence. Since I recently made a batch of cream cheese at home (the easiest recipe ever), it was fun to add it.
- I swear by store-bought puff pastry. It is the magical ingredient that makes everything so very, very quick and simple.
- Bake the puff pastry apple tart while the pastry is still cold. It’ll lift more, forming those bakery-style flaky layers. If you bring it down to room temperature, the butter melts, and the pastry doesn’t bake as well.
- You can bake it as a full big puff pastry as I did with my strawberry ones. Or in small pieces or as apple puff pastry turnovers.
- Like all puff pastries, these apple tarts are best enjoyed the day they are made. But my household doesn’t mind eating them cold, either. If you have leftovers (these store well), feel free to reheat them in a preheated oven for 3 to 4 minutes, and they’ll warm right up.
APPLE TART INGREDIENTS
Essentially, this puff pastry dessert with apples has 2 ingredients – pastry and apples – so make them count. That’s the key to its success.
Puff pastry: Ready-made pastry is available everywhere, online and in supermarkets. Buy the best you can find. But if you’re feeling ambitious, go ahead and make it from scratch at home.
Apples: No matter which part of the world you’re in, I strongly support buying locally. It’s the best choice for this apple tart in puff pastry. Find a farmer near you and use the variety they grow.
Something crisp that can hold shape after baking would be a good choice, like Red Delicious or Granny Smith. I, of course, opted for the local, orchard-grown Kinnaur apples, and they were succulent, sweet, and juicy.
FRUIT PUFF PASTRY RECIPES
Cherry Puff Pastry Tart
Strawberry Puff Pastry Tart
MORE TART RECIPES
Easy Summer Fruit Tart
Vegan Matcha Tart
Vegan Lemon Tart
Dark Chocolate Caramel Tarts
The Best Apple Puff Pastry Tart – A fabulous puff pastry dessert with apples, that has all the feels of an apple pie but takes a fraction of the time to make.
Apple Danish pastry, Apple puff pastry with cream cheese, Apple puff pastry, Apple puff pastry turnovers, Apple tart
- sheet ( 500 gms /17.6 oz)
- cup (115 gms) Cream cheese, softened
- Granulated sugar, for topping
- Preheat your oven to 200 C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Place the pastry on the prepared tray.
- Score the pastry around the edges, leaving a 1/2″ border all around.
- Lightly whisk the cream cheese and icing sugar.
- Spread on the rolled-out pastry, leaving 1/2″ edge all around the pastry.
- Lightly toss the apple slices with lemon juice and place them on top of the cream cheese.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon powder and granulated sugar on top.
- Bake at 200 C for 25-30 minutes, until the apples are lightly caramelized and the pastry, golden brown.
- Let cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy warm!