Cream Cheese Apple Braid Recipes

APPLE CREAM CHEESE BRAID DANISH

Steps:

• Heat butter, sugar, water and milk to 120F.
• Combine 2 cups flour, salt and yeast in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center. Add butter mixture. Mix in additional 1/2 cup flour and egg. Knead on low speed for about 7-8 minutes scraping down bowl as needed. Add additional 1/2 cup of flour while kneading if necessary. Dough should be smooth.
• Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise for about an hour or until doubled in bulk.
• Meanwhile, over low heat combine apples, butter, sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch. Heat until apples are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• In a small bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and lemon juice. Mix until smooth.
• After dough has doubled in bulk. On floured parchment or silicone mat roll out dough into a large rectangle about 12 x 10.
• Spread cream cheese filling down the center. Arrange apple mixture on top.
• Using a pizza cutter cut diagonally from end of dough towards center in 1 inch strips. Do this on both sides.
• Starting on one side of the braid pull one strip up and over the braid. Repeat with the other side. Continue alternating until braid is complete.
• Cover loosely with plastic. Let rise for about 30-40 minutes.
• Bake at 350 for about 20-25 minutes or until braid is golden brown.
• Combine powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. Drizzle over braid. Serve warm or allow to cool and then serve. Delicious either way.

APPLE BUTTER CREAM CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Place cream cheese, apple butter, vanilla, and cinnamon in the container of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Process until just smooth, about 20 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the container and process again until combined, if necessary.
• Scrape the spread into a small bowl; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until slightly firm, about 30 minutes.

CREAM CHEESE APPLE BRAID

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In small bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. In small bowl, toss together the apple pieces, cinnamon, sugar, flour and pinch of salt. Unroll one crust and gently stretch corner to form an almost square shape. Fold in thirds to make creases and unfold. Down center of crust, spread half of the cream cheese mixture, almost to edges. Top with half the apple mixture. Brush beaten egg lightly over the crust, on either side of the filling. Slice the sides into thick strips then alternate them over top of the filling, forming a braid. Fold ends up to keep filling inside. Repeat with the second crust and remaining filling/apples. Place braids on parchment lined sheet and brush tops with a bit more egg wash. Sprinkle with the spiced sugar mixture before sliding into your preheated oven Bake 25 - 30 minutes, until tops are golden brown. Remove them to a wire rack to slightly cool before serving. Serve slices as is or dust with powdered sugar.

APPLE DANISH BRAID

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• In a bowl, combine cream cheese and powdered sugar until well blended. Add egg mixing until smooth.
• Unroll 1 pkg. of crescent dough; do not separate.
• Arrange longest sides of dough across width of 12" x 15" baking pan. Repeat with remaining pkg. of dough. Work dough to seal perforations. (or use recipe creations, which isn't scored).
• On longest side of baking pan, cut dough into strips 1-1/2 inches apart, 3 inches deep using pizza cutter (there will be 6 inches in the center for the filling).
• Spread half of cream cheese mixture evenly over middle of dough.
• Cut apple slices crosswise in half; evenly arrange apple slices over cream cheese mixture.
• Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over apples.
• Scoop remaining cream cheese mixture over apples; sprinkle with pecans. To braid: lift strips of dough across mixture to meet in center, twisting each strip one turn.
• Continue alternating strips to form a braid.
• Tuck ends under to seal at end of braid.
• Bake 25-28 minutes or until deep golden brown.
• Remove from oven; brush with syrup using pastry brush. Cut & serve.