The Flakiest Cream Cheese Puff Pastry with Apples Recipe Ever

Cream cheese puff pastry revolutionizes simple ingredients into a magical culinary experience that tantalizes taste buds.

Soft, flaky layers promise unexpected delights for anyone craving something extraordinary.

Buttery pastry creates a delicate foundation that melts in your mouth with each incredible bite.

Sweet and tangy notes dance together, creating a harmonious balance of flavors that feels both comforting and elegant.

Seasonal fruits add natural sweetness, complementing the rich cream cheese filling perfectly.

North American kitchens frequently celebrate these kinds of delectable desserts that seem complex but come together with surprising ease.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike adore recipes that deliver maximum impact with minimal effort.

Tips for Sweetness, Spice, and Texture

• Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Always use cold puff pastry and keep it chilled before baking to ensure a crisp, flaky texture that doesn't become wet or soft.
• Precise Apple Cutting: Dice apples into uniform small cubes for even cooking and a consistent filling that spreads easily across each pastry piece.
• Control Moisture Levels: Drain excess liquid from apple filling to prevent pastry from becoming soggy and maintain a perfect crisp texture.
• Egg Wash Technique: Brush pastry edges gently with egg wash for a beautiful golden-brown shine and enhanced crispiness during baking.
• Strategic Scoring: When creating the pastry border, use a light touch and sharp knife to score edges without cutting completely through, allowing the pastry to rise evenly and create a stunning presentation.

Reheating Tips for Crisp and Creamy Pastry

• Refrigerate: Seal cooled pastries in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep layers separated with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freeze: Wrap individual pastries tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm pastries in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispy texture. Avoid microwaving, which can make the pastry soggy and less flaky.

What Goes Great with Apple Puff Pastry

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc complements the sweet-tart apple filling and creamy texture, cutting through the richness of the pastry.
• Match with Warm Spiced Tea: A cinnamon or chai tea echoes the warm spices in the apple filling, creating a harmonious flavor profile that enhances the dessert's comforting qualities.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: The cold, creamy vanilla perfectly balances the warm, flaky pastry, adding a luxurious contrast to the apple and cream cheese filling.
• Complement with Caramel Espresso: A shot of espresso with a drizzle of caramel sauce mirrors the dessert's sweet notes while providing a sophisticated coffee undertone.

Filling Variations for New Flavor Ideas

• Berry Blast Puffs: Swap apple filling with mixed berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for a vibrant fruity version.
• Tropical Caramel Crunch: Replace apples with diced mango and pineapple, then drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top.
• Chocolate Hazelnut Dream: Substitute cream cheese mixture with Nutella, add chopped hazelnuts, and swap apple filling for sliced bananas for a decadent dessert experience.
• Savory Herb Pocket: Transform the recipe into a savory option by using herbed cream cheese, roasted vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers, and omitting the sweet glaze for a lunch-friendly variation.

Why Cream Cheese Puff Pastry with Apples Feels So Cozy

• Create Fast Fancy Dessert: These cream cheese puff pastries deliver restaurant-style elegance in under 30 minutes, making gourmet baking accessible for home cooks without complex techniques.
• Perfectly Balanced Flavor Combination: Sweet caramelized apples mingle with tangy cream cheese, while buttery puff pastry provides a delicate, crispy base that elevates every single bite with complementary taste profiles.
• Versatile Entertaining Treat: Ideal for brunch gatherings, afternoon tea, or elegant dessert presentations, these pastries impress guests while being surprisingly simple to prepare and requiring minimal specialized baking skills.
• Customizable Comfort Pastry: Easily adaptable recipe allows home bakers to experiment with different fruit fillings, spice variations, or glaze options, transforming a basic recipe into a personalized culinary creation that suits individual preferences.

Ingredients for This Flaky Apple-Filled Pastry

Main Ingredients:

• Puff Pastry Dough: Delicate, buttery base that creates a light and flaky texture for the pastry.
• Flour: Helps prevent sticking when rolling out the pastry dough.

• Apples: Sweet and tender fruit that provides a classic flavor and soft texture to the pastry.
• Water: Creates the base for cooking and softening the apple filling.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the apple filling and create a smooth sauce.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness to the apple mixture.
• Cinnamon: Warm spice that enhances the apple flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and prevents apple browning.

• Cream Cheese: Rich and creamy base that adds tangy flavor and smooth texture.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture.
• Egg Yolk: Helps bind and enrich the cream cheese filling.
• Vanilla: Adds warm, sweet flavor to the mixture.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet glaze for topping.
• Milk: Helps thin and smooth the glaze.
• Egg: Used for optional egg wash to create a golden, shiny crust.

How to Bake Cream Cheese Pastries with Apple Slices

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Create Luscious Apple Filling

• Water
• Cornstarch
• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Lemon juice

• Sauce thickens
• Apples become tender

Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Cheese Mixture

• Cream cheese
• Sugar
• Egg yolk
• Vanilla
• Lemon juice

Beat until smooth and fluffy.

Step 4: Shape the Pastry Bases

• Unfold puff pastry
• Roll out seams
• Cut each sheet into 6 equal pieces
• Total of 12 pastry pieces

Step 5: Assemble the Pastries

• Place pastry pieces
• Add cream cheese mixture to center
• Top with apple filling
• Score edges creating a square border
• Optional: Brush edges with egg wash

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

• Pastries turn golden
• Puff up beautifully

Let cool slightly

Step 7: Add Dreamy Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla

Drizzle glaze over cooled pastries

Enjoy your delectable creation!

Cream Cheese Puff Pastry with Apples Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 34 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Luxurious cream cheese puff pastry with apples combines French elegance and American comfort. Flaky layers cradle sweet cinnamon-spiced apples, promising a delightful dessert that melts in your mouth and warms your heart.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into small chunks
• 8 oz (226 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 box puff pastry dough, room temperature

Filling and Sweeteners:

• 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) water
• ¾ cup (150 grams) sugar
• ½ cup (60 grams) powdered sugar
• ¼ cup (30 grams) cornstarch

Flavoring and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) vanilla
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) milk

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Instructions

1. Craft a luscious apple-cream cheese filling by gently simmering water, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice until the mixture transforms into a glossy, thickened sauce.
2. Fold tender apple chunks into the aromatic sauce, allowing them to soften and absorb the warm spices, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3. Whip cream cheese in a mixing bowl until light and airy, then incorporate sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, and a hint of lemon juice until the mixture becomes silky smooth.
4. Carefully unfurl the delicate puff pastry sheets, smoothing out any creases and using a sharp knife to divide each sheet into six elegant rectangles.
5. Lay the pastry pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet, creating a canvas for the decadent filling.
6. Delicately spoon a dollop of cream cheese mixture and a generous portion of spiced apple filling into the center of each pastry rectangle.
7. Trace a border around each pastry, creating a raised edge by scoring without completely cutting through the dough.
8. Optional: Brush the pastry edges with a golden egg wash to enhance the final gleaming appearance.
9. Slide the baking sheet into a preheated oven and bake until the pastries transform into puffy, golden-brown delicacies.
10. While cooling, prepare a luxurious glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla into a smooth, drizzling consistency.
11. Once the pastries have slightly cooled, cascade the glossy glaze over their surface, creating an irresistible finishing touch.

Notes

• Master the apple filling by constantly stirring to prevent burning and achieve a thick, glossy consistency.
• Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for smooth, lump-free mixing and optimal texture.
• Cut pastry precisely to create uniform, professional-looking puff pastries with even baking.
• Score pastry edges gently without cutting through to help create beautiful, crisp borders during baking.
• Allow pastries to cool slightly before drizzling glaze to prevent melting and maintain beautiful presentation.
• Experiment with spices like nutmeg or ginger in apple filling for a personalized flavor twist.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 14 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg