Apple Danish

Jun 22, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Pastries doughnuts Vanilla: Beans Medium

Apple danish on a wire rack, the glossy filling visible in the center of each pastry

Flaky sweet laminated yeast dough pastries filled with a spiced apple compote enhanced by real vanilla bean, finished with a glossy egg wash for a delicate golden crust.

Prep 60 min

Cook 20 min

Cooling 3 hr 30 min

Total 6 hr 20 min

Yield 12 pastries

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

pastries

3 ½ cups (420.0 g)all-purpose flour
¼ cup (50.0 g)sugar
2.0 tsp (8.0 g)instant yeast
1.0 tsp (5.0 g)fine sea salt
1.0 cup (227.0 ml)cold whole milk
1.0 large (50.0 g)egg, for dough
2.0 tbsp (28.0 g)softened unsalted butter
1.0vanilla bean, split and scraped
1.0 cup (226.0 g)cold unsalted butter, for laminating
1.0 large (50.0 g)egg, for egg wash
3.0 medium (450.0 g)apples, peeled, cored, and diced
¼ cup (50.0 g)brown sugar
½ tsp (1.2 g)ground cinnamon
2.0 tbsp (30.0 ml)water
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)fresh lemon juice

Make it at home

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Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Stir to blend well.
Warm the milk slightly until just lukewarm (about 95°F/35°C). Add the egg (for dough), softened butter, and the scraped seeds from the vanilla bean to the milk. Whisk gently to combine.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook or by hand, mix until the dough forms and pulls away from the bowl sides. Knead gently until smooth, about 5 minutes.
Shape the dough into a ball. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to rest and chill.
Prepare the butter block for laminating by placing the cold unsalted butter between two sheets of parchment paper. Pound and roll it into a 7-inch square. Keep it cold in the refrigerator.
Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface into a 14-inch square. Place the butter block on one half of the dough, folding the other half over to encase the butter completely. Seal the edges carefully.
Roll the dough out to a 20x10 inch rectangle. Perform a letter fold (fold one third over the middle, then the other third over the top). Wrap and chill the dough for 30 minutes.
Repeat the rolling and letter fold two more times, always chilling the dough for 30 minutes between folds.
Prepare the apple filling: In a medium saucepan, combine diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, water, vanilla bean seeds remaining from scraping, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until apples are tender and syrup thickens, about 8 minutes. Let cool completely.
Roll out the laminated dough to a 16x12 inch rectangle. Cut into 12 equal squares.
Place a spoonful (about 2 tbsp) of the cooled apple filling in the center of each square. Fold the corners towards the center and gently press to seal, leaving some filling visible.
Transfer pastries to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and proof in a warm place until nearly doubled in size, about 90 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Beat the egg (for egg wash) and brush the tops of the pastries to create a shiny golden finish.
Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown and puffed. Remove from oven and cool on a rack before serving.

Tips

Keep the butter cold during laminating to ensure distinct flaky layers.
Use whole vanilla bean for the filling to deepen the apple flavor with natural vanilla notes.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make apple danish?

Plan on 60 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, plus 5 hours to rise, chill and rest. The recipe makes 12 pastries.

How should I store apple danish?

Store apple Danish pastries in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze up to 1 month. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes to refresh.

Can I make apple danish ahead?

Prepare the laminated dough and apple filling a day in advance and refrigerate before final shaping and proofing.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped. Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Flaky sweet laminated yeast dough pastries filled with a spiced apple compote enhanced by real vanilla bean, finished with a glossy egg wash for a delicate golden crust.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.

357 Calories / serving

19.1g Fat

41.5g Carbs

5.8g Protein

13.1g Sugar

Whole recipe (12 servings): ~4284 cal · 229g fat · 498g carbs · 70g protein · 157g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 357 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 67 min·3.9 mi·~7850 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 48 min·2.4 mi·~4800 steps
Moderate cycling 36 min·7.2 mi
Swimming laps 50 min
Jogging 35 min·2.9 mi·~5600 steps
Stair climbing 33 min·~2950 steps
Dancing 58 min
Bodyweight circuit training 36 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 83 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.