Blushing Apple Braid Food

APPLE DANISH BRAID

Steps:

• Place a large pot or deep skillet over high heat. Melt 3 Tbsp butter and stir in 1/4 cup sugar. Add sliced apples and stir until evenly coated. Add cranberries and let the mixture sit 3 min to caramelize before stirring. Cook apples and cranberries a total of 6-7 min, stirring 3 times or until apples are lightly caramelized. Transfer apples to a plate and let cool until just warm (not hot).
• Unfold thawed pastry over a lightly floured work surface and roll it in one direction to make it a total of 2 inches longer. The natural folds in the pastry will guide your process.
• Place the cranberry apple filling down the center of the pastry, keeping it in the middle third and leaving 1" of space at the top and bottom of the pastry.
• Cut away the top corners from the left and right thirds of the. Cut 8 equal 1" strips along each side, leaving 1/2" of space from the apples. Cut away excess dough at the bottom corners.
• Fold down top flap of dough and pinch the corners down to seal. Fold in the side strips, alternating from left to right. Fold up the bottom flap, pinching the corners to seal then finish folding in the last 2 side strips, pinching the corners to seal. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with silicone or parchment, brush with egg wash, sprinkle with coarse sugar, and bake at 400˚F for 18-22 minutes (mine was perfect at 20 min) or until top is golden brown.
• To make the glaze, stir together 1/3 cup powdered sugar with 1/2 Tbsp milk. Once the braided apple danish is at room temperature or just warm, drizzle with glaze, slice, and enjoy!

APPLE CREAM CHEESE BRAID DANISH

Steps:

• Heat butter, sugar, water and milk to 120F.
• Combine 2 cups flour, salt and yeast in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center. Add butter mixture. Mix in additional 1/2 cup flour and egg. Knead on low speed for about 7-8 minutes scraping down bowl as needed. Add additional 1/2 cup of flour while kneading if necessary. Dough should be smooth.
• Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise for about an hour or until doubled in bulk.
• Meanwhile, over low heat combine apples, butter, sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch. Heat until apples are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• In a small bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and lemon juice. Mix until smooth.
• After dough has doubled in bulk. On floured parchment or silicone mat roll out dough into a large rectangle about 12 x 10.
• Spread cream cheese filling down the center. Arrange apple mixture on top.
• Using a pizza cutter cut diagonally from end of dough towards center in 1 inch strips. Do this on both sides.
• Starting on one side of the braid pull one strip up and over the braid. Repeat with the other side. Continue alternating until braid is complete.
• Cover loosely with plastic. Let rise for about 30-40 minutes.
• Bake at 350 for about 20-25 minutes or until braid is golden brown.
• Combine powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. Drizzle over braid. Serve warm or allow to cool and then serve. Delicious either way.

BLUSHING APPLES

Steps:

• Combine dry gelatin mix and cinnamon in 3- to 4-qt. saucepan. Add water. Bring to boil on medium-high heat, stirring frequently until gelatin is completely dissolved.
• Peel and core apples. Add to gelatin mixture in saucepan; partially cover saucepan with lid. Return to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 to 15 min. or just until apples are fork tender, gently turning apples every 5 min. Remove apples from liquid.
• Serve apples warm. Or, cool and store in tightly covered container in refrigerator at least 1 hour or overnight. Serve each apple topped with 2 Tbsp. of the whipped topping. Garnish with fresh mint, if desired.

APPLE BRAID

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Unroll crescent dough and place in bottom of 9x13 inch baker.
• Lightly sprinkle with flour.
• Roll dough until perforations are sealed and dough is flat.
• Peel, core and slice apples. Cut into quarters.
• Combine sugar and spices in bowl. Add apples and toss lightly.
• Place apple mixture down center of dough, approximately 2-inches wide.
• Cut 10 slits, about 3/4 inch wide on each side of dough surrounding apple mixture alternating dough strips from one side to the other. Fold ends over to seal.
• Melt butter in Micro just until it liquefies; do not boil.
• Brush with butter. Bake 30 minutes.
• Cut and serve warm. Combine sugar and milk for glaze.
• Stir until smooth. Pour over warm braid.

BLUSHING APPLESAUCE

Steps:

• Place apples in a large pot with the sugar, water, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very soft and lose their shape, about 25 minutes.
• Remove the apples from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Puree apples in a food processor or food mill. If using the food processor, strain the apples through a sieve to remove the pieces of apple skin.
• Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg. Serve at room temperature or refrigerate and serve cold.

BLUSHING APPLES (GLUTEN FREE)

Steps:

• Combine dry jell0 powder and cinnamon in a 3-4L saucepan. Add water. Bring to boil on medium-high heat, stirring frequently until jelly powder is completely dissolved.
• Peel and core apples. Add to jell0 mixture in saucepan; partially cover saucepan with lid. Return to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10-15 minutes or just until apples are fork tender and gently turn apples every 5 minutes. Remove apples from liquid.
• Serve apples warm, or cool and store in tightly covered container in refrigerator at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Serve each apple topped with 2 tbsp of whipped toppping. Garnish with fresh mint, if desired.