Rose Apple Crescent Danish

These rose apple danishes take the magic of buttery crescent dough and turn it into a stunning brunch treat—swirled with caramelized apples and finished with a light powdered sugar glaze. Every time I serve them, someone asks if they are from a bakery but they truly come together at home in about half an hour and look as good as they taste.

I fell in love with this recipe the first time I made it for my book club brunch and since then it is my go-to for when I want to impress guests without a lot of fuss.

Ingredients

• Red Delicious apples: bring a sweet flavor and hold up well to baking choose ones that feel firm and smooth
• Lemon juice: keeps the apples from browning use fresh if possible for best taste
• Unsalted butter: adds richness melt just before using for easy mixing
• Brown sugar: brings a warm caramel note opt for soft moist brown sugar for better blending
• Refrigerated crescent rolls: make the pastry crisp and flaky pick a trusted brand for reliable results
• Powdered sugar: gives the icing a smooth texture sift if lumpy for the prettiest drizzle
• Milk: thins the icing a splash at a time whole milk will give the richest glaze

• When picking apples avoid fruit with soft spots or bruises for slices that hold their shape during rolling.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Apples:

Wash and core apples then cut each half into thin lengthwise slices about one eighth inch thick for easy rolling

Soften the Slices:

Toss apple slices with lemon juice in a large microwaveable bowl to prevent browning and brighten the flavor

Coat with Sugar and Butter:

Mix melted butter and brown sugar together then stir this into the apples for even coating and caramelization

Microwave Until Pliable:

Microwave the apple mix until slices are just flexible about two minutes then drain off extra liquid for easier shaping

Shape the Roses:

Lay slices in a row with each piece overlapping the next by about an inch then gently roll up from one end to make a flower

Repeat Shaping:

Continue making roses until you have twelve small apple flowers ready for wrapping

Work the Crescent Dough:

Preheat your oven to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet for easy cleanup

Open crescent rolls and create a rectangle by pressing together the seams then slice into even strips about finger width:

Wrap and Twist:

Take a strip of dough and carefully coil it around an apple rose twisting gently for a ruffled look wrap a second strip for extra pastry

Assemble the Danishes:

Place each apple rose wrapped in dough onto the baking tray with the seam underneath to help them hold together while baking

Bake Completes:

Bake for fifteen to twenty minutes until golden and crisp then let cool slightly so the icing does not melt away

Mix the Icing:

While danishes bake whisk powdered sugar with a splash of milk to form a thick but pourable glaze

Finish and Serve:

Drizzle glaze over warm pastries and enjoy the lightly sweet results either warm or at room temperature

Save

I truly look forward to adding that bright swirl of apple slices—the way they bloom in the oven is half the fun. My sister always insists we make a double batch for special get-togethers.

Storage Tips

Store leftover danishes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Gently reheat in a low oven to re-crisp the pastry. Avoid storing with glaze if you want to keep the outside crispier and simply add the icing just before serving.

Ingredient Substitutions

Honeycrisp or Gala work well in place of Red Delicious for a tarter bite. If you are out of lemon juice try a splash of orange juice for a twist. Maple syrup can replace brown sugar in the apple filling for a deeper sweet flavor. Any canned crescent dough will do but classic is my favorite for flakiness.

Save

Serving Suggestions

Serve these danishes fresh with coffee or tea for breakfast or a midmorning snack. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or cinnamon whipped cream to make a simple dessert. For an extra flourish dust with a pinch of cinnamon sugar just before serving.

Cultural Note

Baking pastries with apples is a tradition going back centuries in European kitchens. These rose apple danishes bring a bit of that old-world charm to your table while leaning on modern shortcuts. The visual beauty of the apple flowers always encourages a moment of gratitude before the first bite.