Jump Into Fall With These Chai-Spiced Apple Danishes

Written By: Lauren Graham

Get out your fluffy sweaters and pumpkin-spiced everything because fall is finally here! Fall is the time of the year when warm and cozy desserts make their inevitable comeback. So what better way to jump into this comfy season than baking a fun and easy recipe using one of the most prominent fall fruits, the apple?

This fall Danish recipe features the bold and warm flavors of aromatic Indian chai paired with the crisp tartness of the granny smith apple. These chai-spiced apple danishes are fluffy, indulgent, and all-around comforting. You can eat them as a breakfast pastry on the go, a snack during the day, or a delectable sweet treat after dinner. Plus, you can pair them with fall staple drinks such as apple cider, pumpkin latte, or a steaming cup of delicious chai. The recipe is also simple and hassle-free, making it a fun fall activity for friends, family, or yourself. And the best part is that it’ll leave your kitchen smelling like a fragrant apple orchard covered with delicious spice. So without further ado, let’s start baking this cozy recipe! 

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Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 4 Granny Smith apples 

• 1 box of two puff pastry sheets 

• 1 ½ tablespoons of Chai spice blend: 

  • 1 tablespoon ground cardamom

  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon 

  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger 

  • ½ tablespoon ground allspice

  • ½ tablespoon ground cloves

  • ½ tablespoon ground nutmeg 

• ⅔ cup of white sugar 

• 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter

• 1 tablespoon of cornstarch 

• ½ cup of water

• 1 egg

• Powdered sugar

• Milk

Prepare the Apples:

1. Start by thoroughly washing your apples and peeling off their skin.  

2. Remove the core of your apples and roughly chop them into small cubes. 

3. Mix your spices in a separate jar.

4. Grab a medium or medium-large saucepan and turn on medium-high heat. 

5. Add in your water and cover the bottom of the pan. Next, add the sugar and 1 ½ tablespoons of the chai spice blend. 

6. Stir the mixture and bring it to a low boil. Once your mixture is thick and slowly bubbling, add half of the diced apples. 

7. Move to medium heat and stir the apples occasionally. Cover for eight minutes. 

8. Add in the rest of your apples and simmer for another eight minutes. 

9. Once you’ve reached the desired texture for your apples, remove from the heat and add in your butter. Mix and set aside to cool for 30 minutes. 

Assemble the Puff Pastry:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.* 

2. Dust some flour onto a cutting board or sheet and lay out your pastry sheets. 

3. Cut your two pastry sheets into fours. You should have eight small rectangles. 

4. Scoop about a large spoonful of the apple filling into the center of the sheet. 

5. Take each corner and fold it inwards to create a small, envelope-looking square. Pinch the four corners together and leave the center slightly open to where the filling is visible. 

6. After your Danishes are filled and shaped, lightly coat them in the egg wash. 

7. Cook in the oven for 22 minutes or until golden brown. 

Make the Icing Glaze:

1. While the Danishes are cooking, grab a small bowl and add a generous amount of powdered sugar. 

2. Add a splash of milk to the sugar. 

3. Lastly, include a dash of the chai spice blend and mix until combined. 

4. Add as much sugar as needed to create the desired glaze consistency. 

5. When your Danishes come out of the oven, drizzle the glaze and enjoy!

*Notes:

• Make sure to let your pastry dough defrost for 30 minutes if frozen!

Thumbnail Credit:

Lauren Graham