Top-down view of the baked puff pastry braid cooling on the baking sheet. It is golden brown and crisp, being sliced into portions, with flaky layers and apple filling visible inside.

Flaky Fairytale: The Apple-Laced Dragon Braid That’ll Slay Your Sweet Tooth!

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If you’re craving something simple yet impressive, this Apple Puff Pastry Braid is the perfect dessert or breakfast treat.

Flaky, buttery layers of puff pastry are wrapped around a delicious filling of spiced apples, creating a warm and comforting dessert with a beautiful presentation. It’s like having an apple pie in a much easier, more elegant form!

The best part? It comes together quickly with store-bought puff pastry, making it ideal for when you want to whip up something special without spending hours in the kitchen.

To elevate this dessert even further, serve it with a dollop of Whipped Greek Yogurt on the side. The tanginess of the yogurt beautifully complements the sweetness of the apples, creating a balanced, indulgent dish.

Whether for breakfast or dessert, this Apple Puff Pastry Braid is sure to impress and satisfy. Perfect for cozy weekends or when you need a crowd-pleaser in no time!

Apple Puff Pastry Braid

This simple yet impressive apple puff pastry braid combines flaky layers with sweet apple pie filling. It’s a quick dessert that’s perfect for any occasion, ready in just 30 minutes!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 280 kcal

Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Knife
  • Small bowl (for egg wash)
  • Pastry brush
  • Oven
  • Fork/Whisk (for egg wash)

Ingredients
  

  • 1 sheet puff pastry thawed per directions on the box
  • 8 oz apple pie filling
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 egg
  • Splash of water
  • 2 tsp coarse sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unfold the puff pastry sheet on the tray.
    Top-down view of a sheet of puff pastry placed on a parchment-lined baking sheet on a clean kitchen countertop with a white marble cooktop background. The puff pastry is thawed and carefully unfolded, ready for filling.
  • Spread the apple pie filling down the center of the pastry. Sprinkle ground cinnamon over the filling.
    Top-down view of puff pastry on a baking sheet with 8 ounces of apple pie filling spooned down the center. Ground cinnamon is sprinkled over the filling, ready for folding.
  • Make 8 diagonal cuts on each side of the filling. Trim the top and bottom flaps, leaving the center intact.
    Top-down view of a puff pastry sheet as diagonal cuts are being made on both sides of the apple filling. The top and bottom flaps are trimmed, and the strips are ready for braiding.
  • Fold the top of the pastry over the filling. Alternate folding the pastry strips over each other to create a braid, and fold the bottom piece over the filling before completing the braid.
    Top-down view of a puff pastry being braided over the apple filling. The strips are alternately folded over each other, creating a neat braid, ready for the egg wash.
  • Whisk the egg with water to make an egg wash. Brush it over the pastry and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
    Top-down view of the puff pastry braid in the oven, turning golden brown as it bakes. The layers are puffing up around the apple filling, nearing the end of baking.
  • Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes, then slice and serve.
    Top-down view of the baked puff pastry braid cooling on the baking sheet. It is golden brown and crisp, being sliced into portions, with flaky layers and apple filling visible inside.

Nutrition Facts:

NutritionValue
Calories280kcal
Sodium130g
Fat16g
Carbohydrates30g
Sugar7g
Fiber1g

My Top Tips That Make a Difference!

  • Ensure your puff pastry is fully defrosted, which typically takes around 40 minutes at room temperature.
  • Since puff pastry sheets often come in two packs, you can easily double this recipe if needed.
  • Feel free to try different pie fillings; refer to the options mentioned above for ideas.
  • This dish is best enjoyed on the same day, as cooked puff pastry doesn’t stay fresh for long.
  • Defrosted puff pastry can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 days before use.
  • You can also make your filling instead of using canned, as suggested in the recipe.

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