Apple Danish Braid

Apple Danish Braid

with caramelized apples and cranberries

Recipe by
Reviewed by Arturs Arnicans
Prep Time: 15m
Cook Time: 30m
Total Time: 45m
Temp.: 400 °F
Servings: 8
Difficulty: Easy
5.0 (17 Reviews)
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Ingredients

Adjust servings:

For apple Danish braid:

For glaze:

Nutritional Information

276
calories
17.2g
fat
29.1g
carbohydrates
2.5g
protein
19mg
cholesterol
117mg
sodium
Apple Danish Braid

Recipe Description

Take a shortcut with store-bought puff pastry and make this quick Apple Danish Braid. It’s a simple yet impressive-looking dessert. Every bite is layered with flaky pastry, caramelized apples and cranberries. This dessert is no fuss, easy to make, and so delicious. Finish it off with a light drizzle of sweet glaze, and enjoy!

Start with the filling. Sauté the apples and cranberries until lightly caramelized. Roll out the puff pastry 2 inches longer than the length. Spoon the filling down the center of the puff pastry and cut angled strips on either side of the filling. Braid by crossing the strips over the filling, overlapping each other. Last step, brush the pastry with an egg wash and add a sprinkle of coarse sugar. Bake until golden brown and serve drizzled with the glaze. When you need something easy and delicious this is absolutely it. Done and done!       

To make the Apple Danish Braid, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for Apple Danish Braid

Steps to make

  1. 1

    Melt butter and sugar

    2 min
    Step 1 - Apple Danish Braid

    In a large pot or deep skillet over high heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter and stir in ¼ cup granulated sugar.

  2. 2

    Add apples and cranberries

    10 min
    Step 2 - Apple Danish Braid

    Add in the sliced apples and stir to coat. Add ½ cup cranberries and let the mixture sit for 3 minutes to caramelize. Cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are lightly caramelized.

  3. 3

    Cool

    Step 3 - Apple Danish Braid

    Transfer the apple-cranberry filling to a plate and let cool until just warm.

  4. 4

    Roll puff pastry out

    2 min
    Step 4 - Apple Danish Braid

    On a lightly floured surface, unfold the pastry and roll it out 2 inches longer than the length.

  5. 5

    Heat oven

    5 min
    Step 5 - Apple Danish Braid

    Preheat the oven to 400 °F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  6. 6

    Add filling

    2 min
    Step 6 - Apple Danish Braid

    With the short side of the pastry facing you, spread the apple-cranberry filling down the center of the pastry, keeping it in the middle third and leaving 1 inch of space at the top and bottom of the pastry.

  7. 7

    Cut strips

    2 min
    Step 7 - Apple Danish Braid

    Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut off the top corners from the left and right thirds of the pastry. Cut 8 angled 1-inch strips on either side of the filling. Cut off the 2 corners at the bottom of the pastry.

  8. 8

    Assemble

    2 min
    Step 8 - Apple Danish Braid

    To braid, fold down the top flap of dough over the filling and pinch the corners down to seal. Fold in the side strips, in a criss-cross pattern, then fold the bottom tab over the filling before braiding the last strips. Pinch the corners to seal.

  9. 9

    Brush with egg wash

    2 min
    Step 9 - Apple Danish Braid

    Transfer the braid to the prepared baking sheet. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with ½ tablespoon coarse sugar.

  10. 10

    Bake

    20 min
    Step 10 - Apple Danish Braid

    Bake for 18-22 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

  11. 11

    Make glaze

    1 min
    Step 11 - Apple Danish Braid

    In a small bowl, stir together ⅓ cup powdered sugar with ½ tablespoon milk.

  12. 12

    Glaze

    2 min
    Step 12 - Apple Danish Braid

    Once the apple braid is at room temperature or just warm, drizzle with glaze.

  13. 13

    Serve

    Step 13 - Apple Danish Braid

    Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Bake up this flaky Apple Danish Braid and enjoy a delicious dessert with your family. Made it? Let us know how you liked it, and don’t forget to tag us @cookmerecipes to show off your latest baking projects.

About the author

Lilly Mathuse

Lilly is an enthusiastic and cheerful young mom. She knows as well as any parent that children can be really picky when it comes to food. And she’s had plenty of experience trying to cook meals that are both tasty and nutritious, and able to satisfy the tastes of a fussy kid right away! To save you some precious time, Lilly's going to share with you all the tricks she learned the hard way, so you don’t have to! She has a wealth of recipes for quick and easy meals for kids and families on a budget.

Recipe Reviews

Have you made this recipe? Share your experience and help other cooks!

★★★★★
★★★★★
5.0 out of 5 (17 reviews)
Tina Anderson
April 11, 2025
Verified

I made this for my friend's birthday. The filling was so good, and everyone was impressed! Plus, it was super easy to whip up.

Hannah
October 15, 2024
Verified

So easy, everyone loved it! Made this for a friend’s birthday, and it was a hit. Will definitely make again!

Tina
October 15, 2024
Verified

Made this Apple Danish Braid for a family gathering. So easy and everyone loved it. Will be a regular at our get-togethers for sure.

Zoe
September 15, 2024
Verified

Made this Apple Danish Braid for my hubby's birthday. He loved it! So easy and posh looking. Def my new go-to dessert.

Gwen
August 12, 2024
Verified

Absolutely loved makin' this Apple Danish Braid! It's so easy and my kids gobbled it up like there was no tomorrow. I felt dead proud servin' it at our Sunday brunch. Will defo be makin' this again! Cheers!

Amy
June 17, 2024
Verified

This Apple Danish Braid was a hit at my party! So easy!

Quinn
June 8, 2024
Verified

OMG, this Apple Danish Braid was supa easy and delish! I made it for my fam's brunch and they all loved it. Total crowd pleaser!

Tina
March 24, 2024
Verified

Superb and easy.

Michael Thompson
March 9, 2024
Verified

This Apple Danish Braid is super easy to make. My kids loved helping with the braiding. It was a hit at our family brunch. Flaky pastry and the sweet filling are just perfect together. Will make it again soon

Vicky
October 5, 2023
Verified

Hice esta trenza de manzana para la fiesta de cumple de mi hijo. A todos les encantó, especialmente a los peques. Usé pasta de hojaldre comprada porque no tengo tiempo. Es super fácil y delicioso. Definitivamente lo haré de nuevo.

Cathy
August 27, 2023
Verified

Super easy and kid-approved dessert recipe.

Bethany Walker
June 27, 2023
Verified

This Apple Danish Braid was super easy and impressive for my brunch!

Oliver
June 16, 2023
Verified

Super easy to make, family loved it! We had it for brunch.

Mark
May 6, 2023
Verified

Super delicious dessert!

Will
April 23, 2023
Verified

Superb! Made this for family gatherin last weekend. Everyone loved it, especially the crunch of the pastry and the sweet filling. A definite crowd pleaser!

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