A perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet ending to any meal, this Braided Apple Puff Pastry recipe is so easy and delicious. With a rich cinnamon-apple mix nestled into a braided, buttery puff pastry, you are going to be able to wow anyone and everyone with this simple dessert recipe.
Quick and easy desserts are the epitome of a good time. You can be in and out of the kitchen quickly and serve a sweet treat in just moments. This Braided Apple Puff Pastry is a perfect addition to any dinner party or gathering (or late-night craving!).
I especially love to make this dessert when having guests over because you only need a few simple ingredients, but you’ll be able to impress anyone with this show-stopping treat.
Apples are such a versatile fruit to cook with, which makes it a fantastic ingredient to use – even beyond the fall season.
You can toss them into salads for a crunch, dry them to get crispy Apple Chips, and bake them into pies, bread, tarts, crisps, compotes, and more. For more savory dishes, you can use them in dishes such as pork tenderloin or chicken dishes for a beautiful, light flavor that complements the meat.
Apples are also a great source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, so cooking with them can be both delicious and nutritious!
A recipe like this is especially satisfying because you get the contrasting textures and flavors of the apple with the buttery, flaky puff pastry. Think of it like an apple pie, but even easier to make, easier to eat, and easier to clean – the holy trio, right?
How to Make the Best Braided Apple Puff Pastry
Apples retain a lot of water, so cooking with them requires a little bit of preparation to cook them down. This is a simple step that just takes 10 minutes and makes all the difference in the world for your final puff pastry!
The easiest way to cook down apples is to let them simmer on the stove with a splash of water. I like to add cinnamon and sugar to create a delicious mixture that you can use in just about everything.
I personally put these steamed cinnamon apple chunks on top of everything during the fall. (And if you don’t believe me, check out my X Apple Recipes to Try This Fall).
All you need for this mixture are:
Apples, peeled and chopped (I usually use Honeycrisp apples)
Cinnamon
Sugar
Splash of water
Simply mix your chopped apples with cinnamon and sugar, then transfer to a pot over medium heat and add a splash of water. Let this mixture simmer for about 10 minutes or until the apples are soft and the water has evaporated.
You can prep this ahead of time to help make this Braided Apple Puff Pastry recipe or you can just keep the mixture on hand in an airtight container for up to a week to use in your apple recipes.
I like to use them as a topping in oats, toast, pancakes, and ice cream!
To get that delicious crunch on your puff pastry, I recommend always using egg wash! Sprinkling cinnamon sugar on top before popping it in the oven will also give it a lovely fall flavor. You can always swap the cinnamon sugar for powdered sugar after baking as well. If you opt for this, just be sure to use a sieve and do it while it’s still a bit hot! This will help get an even coat and allow the sugar to stick to the pastry a little.
Lastly, for this specific dessert recipe, don’t obsess too much over cutting the puff pastry strips equally in size; it doesn’t have to be perfect! You can get creative, as long as you braid them in the right pattern.
Mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until well blended. Set aside.
Unfold one pastry sheet onto your lined cookie sheet. I use a silicone baking mat but parchment paper works too.
Cut 1-inch strips from the center out along each side.
Smear the cream cheese mixture evenly on the middle section only.
Cook down your apples on the stove for about 10 minutes with some sugar and cinnamon.
Add your apple filling to top of the cream cheese.
Fold the notches up and over the center, then fold each strip over the fruit, overlapping and alternating, creating a braid.
Beat egg yolk to use for egg wash on the top of the braid. Using a pastry brush, paint on a light coat covering the pastry. Sprinkle the top with a little more cinnamon sugar mixture.
Bake for about 18 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy!
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