Cream Cheese Puff Pastry with Apples
A cozy and sweet dessert featuring warm apples and flaky puff pastry that looks fancy yet is easy to make.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry Preparation
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed according to package
- 1 egg for egg wash
- Optional powdered sugar or a simple glaze
Cream Cheese Filling
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened Use full-fat for best texture.
- 3 tablespoons sugar Plus 1 tablespoon for the apples if desired.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice Optional but enhances flavor.
Apple Filling
- 1 to 2 apples, thinly sliced Granny Smith or Honeycrisp preferred.
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
- In another bowl, toss the apple slices with cinnamon, a little sugar (if desired), and lemon juice.
- Unfold the puff pastry and cut it into 4 or 6 squares.
- Score a border around each square about half an inch from the edge.
Assembly
- Spoon a layer of cream cheese filling inside the scored area.
- Arrange the apple slices on top, fanning them out.
- Whisk the egg with a splash of water and brush the border of the pastry.
Baking
- Bake for 16 to 20 minutes or until puffed and golden.
- Cool for 5 to 10 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with glaze.
Notes
Do not worry if some filling escapes during baking; it will caramelize and become crispy. These pastries can be assembled and kept in the fridge before baking.