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recipe for apple and pecan danish pastry tart

Apple pecan danish pastry tart

The Apple and Pecan Danish Pastry Tart 🍎🥧 is a delightful dessert featuring a buttery puff pastry base, sweet cinnamon-spiced apples 🍏, and crunchy pecans 🌰.
This elegant apple tart is perfect for fall or any time you crave a comforting treat. Topped with a vanilla glaze for added sweetness, it combines the best of European-inspired desserts with a modern twist.
Whether you're searching for a pecan Danish, a puff pastry dessert, or just love a classic apple pecan dessert, this tart is a show-stopper that’s easy to make and impossible to resist! ✨
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, European 🇺🇸🇪🇺
Servings 4 servings
Calories 1800 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Baking Sheet Line with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • 1 Mixing Bowl Use for preparing the apple filling.
  • 1 Pastry brush Used to apply the egg wash on the pastry edges.
  • 1 Knife For peeling, coring, and slicing the apples.
  • 1 Cutting board Provides a surface for slicing the apples and chopping the pecans.
  • 1 Rolling Pin To roll out the puff pastry, if needed.
  • 1 Whisk For mixing the glaze ingredients smoothly.
  • 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons To measure out the filling and glaze ingredients accurately.

Ingredients
  

Puff pastry – 1 sheet

  • Note: Use store-bought puff pastry for convenience.

Egg – 1

  • Note: Beaten with milk to make an egg wash for brushing the pastry edges.

Milk – 1 tablespoon

  • Note: Mixed with the egg for the egg wash.

Apples – 3 medium

  • Note: Peeled cored, and thinly sliced. Use tart apples like Granny Smith for the best flavor.

Brown sugar – 1/3 cup

  • Note: Adds sweetness and a rich caramelized flavor to the filling.

Granulated sugar – 2 tablespoons

  • Note: Used for additional sweetness in the filling.

Ground cinnamon – 1 teaspoon

  • Note: Adds warmth and spice to the apple filling.

Ground nutmeg – 1/4 teaspoon

  • Note: Complements the cinnamon for a cozy flavor profile.

Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon

  • Note: Prevents the apples from browning and balances the sweetness.

Unsalted butter – 2 tablespoons, melted

  • Note: Enhances the richness of the tart and coats the apples.

Pecans – 1/3 cup, chopped

  • Note: Adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the tart.

Powdered sugar – 1/2 cup (for glaze)

  • Note: Used to make the vanilla glaze for drizzling.

Vanilla extract – 1/2 teaspoon (for glaze)

  • Note: Adds a hint of vanilla to the glaze.

Milk – 1 tablespoon (for glaze)

  • Note: Used to thin out the powdered sugar for the glaze consistency.

Instructions
 

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

    Prepare the puff pastry: Roll out the puff pastry onto the prepared baking sheet. If needed, trim the edges to fit neatly. Use a knife to score a 1-inch border around the edges, being careful not to cut through.

      Make the egg wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Brush the egg wash along the edges of the puff pastry.

        Prepare the apple filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss until the apples are evenly coated.

          Assemble the tart: Arrange the apple mixture evenly within the scored border of the puff pastry. Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the top.

            Add melted butter: Drizzle the melted butter over the apples and pecans for extra flavor and richness.

              Bake the tart: Place the tart in the preheated oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden and the apples are tender.

                Prepare the glaze: While the tart bakes, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust the milk as needed for your desired glaze consistency.

                  Cool and drizzle: Once the tart is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly. Drizzle the glaze over the tart using a spoon or piping bag.

                    Serve: Slice the tart into portions and serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy! 😊

                      Notes

                      • Puff Pastry:
                        Use a store-bought puff pastry for convenience. Thaw it properly in the refrigerator before use to prevent cracking when unrolling.
                      • Apples:
                        Tart varieties like Granny Smith work best as they balance the sweetness of the sugars and glaze. Ensure the slices are uniform for even cooking.
                      • Pecans:
                        Lightly toast the pecans in a dry skillet for 2–3 minutes to enhance their flavor and crunch before adding them to the tart.
                      • Brown Sugar:
                        Substituting dark brown sugar will add a richer molasses flavor to the filling.
                      • Spices:
                        Adjust the cinnamon and nutmeg quantities to taste or add a pinch of ground cloves for extra warmth.
                      • Glaze:
                        For a thicker glaze, reduce the milk slightly. To make the glaze dairy-free, substitute the milk with water or almond milk.
                      • Serving Suggestions:
                        Serve the tart warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent dessert.
                      • Storage:
                        Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes to restore crispness.
                      • Customization:
                        • Swap pecans with walnuts or almonds for a different nutty flavor.
                        • Add raisins or dried cranberries to the apple filling for a fruity twist.
                      • Scaling the Recipe:
                        If serving more people, double the ingredients and bake two tarts side by side on separate baking sheets.
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