Description
Apple Kringle with Vanilla Glaze is a traditional Danish pastry featuring flaky, buttery dough filled with spiced diced apples and topped with a smooth vanilla glaze. This delightful treat is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack and offers a wonderful balance of sweet and tart flavors with a creamy finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 1/4 cup cold water
Apple Filling:
- 3 medium-sized apples, peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Vanilla Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preparing the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and sugar. Add the chilled, cubed butter and cut it into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add cold water and gently mix until dough forms a ball. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to chill.
- Making the Apple Filling: Peel and dice the apples. In a medium bowl, mix diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and cornstarch until evenly coated. Set aside to let flavors meld.
- Assembling the Apple Kringle: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 1/4 inch thick rectangle large enough to hold the filling. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spoon the apple filling down the center. Cut 1-inch diagonal slits on each side of dough, then fold the flaps alternately over the filling to create a braided effect. Pinch ends to seal.
- Baking the Apple Kringle: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. Remove and cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes to let the filling set.
- Preparing the Vanilla Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable, adding extra milk by teaspoon if needed.
- Glazing the Apple Kringle: Drizzle the glaze over the slightly cooled Kringle using a spoon or piping bag. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before slicing and serving warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use chilled butter and avoid overworking the dough to ensure flakiness.
- Dice apples evenly for uniform cooking and softened filling.
- Monitor baking time closely as ovens vary; avoid over-baking.
- Store leftovers wrapped tightly; keep at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Freeze wrapped tightly for up to 3 months; thaw and reheat in oven before serving.
- Customize filling by adding pears, berries, nuts, or a cream cheese layer for variation.
- For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend and consider adding xanthan gum for dough texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Danish
Keywords: Apple Kringle, Danish pastry, vanilla glaze, apple pastry, spiced apples, breakfast pastry, dessert recipe, flaky pastry
