Apple Cream Cheese Braid Danish – A tender apple danish with cream cheese filling. This braid is beautiful for a brunch or dessert buffet. A stunning dessert that’s perfect for fall.
I love day dreaming about food. It’s fun. Try it some time if you never have.
I love dreaming up plans for what’s in season. Now this is by no means some radically new concoction. But I made up this sweet dough and couldn’t wait to pair it with apples and cream cheese for fall.
If the thought of a braid intimidates you don’t let it. I used to look at recipes like this and think no way. But it’s much easier than it looks. I promise.
Just promise that you’ll use well-floured parchment or a silicone mat so it won’t stick on you. Because then you might just want to throw in a ball and hurl it at the wall. It’s not like I’ve ever wanted to do that with dough before. *wink*
I’m not usually a danish type girl. But when I do think of danish I think of….You know that stuff that starts with and E* and comes in a blue and white box at the grocery store. Decent stuff but I don’t buy it. I’ve had it before though.
This ended up being so much better than even in my day dream. So much better than E*.
I’m hooked. I’m already dreaming up what else I can combine it with or how to switch it up.
This apple cream cheese braid danish oozes with cinnamony goodness. Yup. There goes spell check. Cinnamony isn’t even a word. C’mon how is that possible?
Appley – Cinnamony – Cream Cheesy goodness. Oh cheesy is a word. Good. One out of three ain’t bad. Don’t tell anyone that I just used words that aren’t words.
Love you all!
Thanks for stopping by!
Apple Cream Cheese Braid Danish
Ingredients
Sweet dough
- 6 Tablespoons butter softened
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup milk not skim- I used 2%
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 1/4 - 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg lightly beaten
Apple filling
- 2 medium-large apples peeled and chopped
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 3 Tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
Cream cheese filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Vanilla Drizzle (optional)
- 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 5 5 1/2 teaspoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Dough:
- Heat butter, sugar, water and milk to 120F.
- Combine 2 cups flour, salt and yeast in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center. Add butter mixture. Mix in additional 1/2 cup flour and egg. Knead on low speed for about 7-8 minutes scraping down bowl as needed. Add additional 1/2 cup of flour while kneading if necessary. Dough should be smooth.
- Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise for about an hour or until doubled in bulk.
Apple Filling:
- Meanwhile, over low heat combine apples, butter, sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch. Heat until apples are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- In a small bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and lemon juice. Mix until smooth.
- After dough has doubled in bulk. On floured parchment or silicone mat roll out dough into a large rectangle about 12 x 10.
Cream Cheese:
- Spread cream cheese filling down the center. Arrange apple mixture on top.
- Using a pizza cutter cut diagonally from end of dough towards center in 1 inch strips. Do this on both sides.
- Starting on one side of the braid pull one strip up and over the braid. Repeat with the other side. Continue alternating until braid is complete.
- Cover loosely with plastic. Let rise for about 30-40 minutes.
- Bake at 350 for about 20-25 minutes or until braid is golden brown.
Drizzle
- Combine powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. Drizzle over braid. Serve warm or allow to cool and then serve. Delicious either way.
Nutrition
Inspiration from: Baking Illustrated
Amy | Club Narwhal says
Melanie, I am drooling over here! I’ve tried making braided things like this before and have always failed miserably. I’ll have to try the parchment paper + flour trick and see if I can get the dough to behave 🙂
Melanie says
Thanks for stopping by. I do hope you’ll give it another try and that it works out for you!
Maria says
When I try to rolled out my dough and it doesn’t behave, I just let the dough rest for another
5 to 8 minutes. After that it is easier to handle.
Melanie says
Great tip. I think that makes a huge tip. Thanks for sharing Maria!
vicky and ruth says
This Danish looks like a work of art. Just want to reach in to my screen and grab a piece 🙂
Melanie says
Thanks for your kind words. So glad you stopped by!
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
This is such a beautiful danish! It will be great to serve anytime, but especially to those we love for a special breakfast during the holidays!
Melanie says
Thanks Robyn! Such a privilege to have you stop by! Special breakfast sounds great.
Ciara @Teaspoon of Life says
This looks so beautiful and I cant wait to try! Looks so delicious! I am glad I stopped by from wake up Wednesday!
Melanie says
Thanks! I’m so glad you stopped by too. My first time to wake up Wednesday! 🙂
Allie | Baking A Moment says
Wow! This braid is absolutely stunning. And those apples look so dreamy in their cream cheese bed! I’m totally drooling… And I love daydreaming about food too! It’s by far my favorite part of blogging! Gorgeous post, dear!
Melanie says
Thanks Allie! I have to agree, best part of blogging. Glad you’re here!
ashley - baker by nature says
This is gorgeous!
Melanie says
Thanks Ashley!
Gloria // Simply Gloria says
This is gorgeous! I daydream about food all the time, too. (=
Melanie says
Thanks Gloria! I’m glad you stopped by today. 🙂
Dina says
it looks delish!
Melanie says
Thanks Dina!
Heather says
Hi Melanie. Thanks so much for linking up this delicious Apple Cream Cheese Braid Danish to my Sweet Wednesday Link Party! Beautiful pictures, great job!
Have a Sweet Day.
Heather
MySweetMission.net
Melanie says
It was my first time. Glad I could be a part of it! Thanks so much for doing the link party!
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
I love day dreaming about food and thinking of new recipes I’d like to try too! It’s such a fun way to spend the time 😉 This danish looks amazing, I love apples and cream cheese together!
Melanie says
I know. It’s so fun, right? Thanks Consuelo!
Maria says
Your braid looks absolutely beautiful! It looks like it came from a bakery! And it sounds so delicious!
Melanie says
Thanks Maria! Glad you stopped by!
Debbie Caraballo says
Hi! This looks REALLY great – I’ve been making something like it for years – mine has a cinnamon, brown sugar, butter filling. Love the cream cheese and apple though. One question – do the apples get soft in that length of baking time? Thanks!
Melanie says
That sounds delicious too Debbie! In step 4 you’ll see the apples are cooked over low heat for a few minutes to soften them up first. Hope you get a change to try it.
Deb @ Kneaded Creations says
Melanie- this danish bread looks so good. At Christmas I make something like this, and definitely got some ideas from you. I pinned. Nice to see you at the Weekend Retreat Link Party. Just popping by to say hi and see what you’re up to. I would love it if you would drop over for a visit at http://www.kneadedcreations.com Deb @ Kneaded Creations
Melanie says
Thanks Deb! Nice for you stop by. I’m glad you were able to get some new ideas! 🙂
Krista @ joyfulhealthyeats says
Wow! Absolutely beautiful pictures! You make it look so easy and delicious! Pinning and going to give this one a try! 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Show Stopper Saturday!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats
Melanie says
Thanks for your kind words Krista! I’m glad to be a part of Show Stopper Saturday.
dee says
Step 1: Heat butter, sugar, WATER and milk. That ingredient isn’t mentioned. How much water?
Melanie says
Sorry for that error. I can’t believe no one else caught that. Thank you. Hope you get a chance to make it!
Katrina says
One of my FAVOURITE recipes, it is such a lovely way to use the apples from our tree. So yummy, looks fancy but is a relatively simple process. Haven’t ever had someone not like it. My husband and kids have dairy allergies so I make it for family get together so I won’t eat it all by myself ☺️
Melanie says
Thanks Katrina! So glad to hear that this is one of your favorites.
I’m thankful you took the time to leave your feedback. Come back soon!