Apple Puff Pastry Braid Recipe
A golden, flaky Apple Puff Pastry Braid is the perfect blend of buttery layers and spiced apple filling. This stunning yet simple pastry features a crisp, sugary crust with a warm, cinnamon-kissed center. Easy to assemble and bake, it’s an impressive treat for any occasion.
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Sharp knife or pizza cutter
- Small bowl
- Pastry brush
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed per directions on the box
- 2 tsp coarse sugar
- Splash of water
- 8 oz apple pie filling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unfold the puff pastry and place it on the prepared sheet.
- Spread the apple pie filling down the center of the pastry and sprinkle ground cinnamon over the top.
- Using a sharp knife, make eight diagonal cuts along both sides of the filling, ensuring they angle toward the bottom.
- Trim off the excess pastry at both the top and bottom, leaving the center pieces intact.
- Fold the top of the pastry over the filling, then alternately cross the strips from each side over one another, forming a braided pattern.
- Before reaching the last two strips at the bottom, fold the pastry’s bottom edge over the filling and complete the braid.
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg with a splash of water and brush this mixture over the entire pastry.
- Sprinkle coarse sugar evenly on top.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For extra crunch, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the apple filling.
- A drizzle of caramel or icing on top enhances the sweetness.
- Using a ruler helps create even braid strips for a polished look.