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recipe for apple and pecan danish pastry tart

Irresistible Apple and Pecan Danish Pastry Tart

This flaky apple and pecan danish pastry tart is like an easier apple pecan pie – sweet, crunchy, and ready in under an hour! Perfect for weekend brunches or cozy fall nights, with gluten-free and vegan swaps that even my baking-challenged self can handle. Your kitchen will smell like autumn heaven!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 Slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Mexican-Fusion
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

Tart Base:
  • - 1 sheet frozen puff pastry thawed (Pepperidge Farm recommended)
Apple Pecan Filling:
  • - 2 medium apples Fuji or Gala for sweet, Granny Smith for tart, peeled and thinly sliced
  • - 1/2 cup chopped pecans toasted for extra flavor
  • - 1/4 cup brown sugar packed (light or dark)
  • - 1 tsp ground cinnamon plus a pinch if you’re feeling spicy
  • - 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • - Pinch of nutmeg optional, for cozy vibes
Assembly and Glaze:
  • - 2 tbsp apricot jam
  • - 1 egg beaten (for egg wash)
  • - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • - 1-2 tbsp milk whole or almond
  • - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Method
 

  1. Instructions
  2. Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unfold thawed puff pastry onto the sheet; spread apricot jam over the center, leaving a 1-inch border. (Pro tip: Microwave jam for 10 seconds if it’s too thick.)
  3. Make the Filling: In a bowl, toss sliced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Let sit 1 minute to get juicy. Stir in pecans and half the melted butter. It’ll look messy – that’s okay!
  4. Assemble Tart: Spread apple-pecan mix over the jam-covered pastry, keeping within the border. Drizzle remaining butter on top. Fold pastry edges over filling for a rustic look. Brush edges with beaten egg for shine.
  5. Bake: Bake 20-25 minutes until pastry is golden and apples are tender with bubbly edges. Check at 20 minutes to avoid my classic pecan-char mistake!
  6. Glaze and Serve: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for glaze; adjust milk for drizzly texture. Cool tart 10-15 minutes, drizzle glaze, and slice. Serve warm, maybe with [Ninja Creami protein ice cream](https://quickdishrecipes.com/ninja-creami-chunky-monkey-protein-ice-cream/) for extra yum.

Notes

- Gluten-Free Option: Swap for gluten-free puff pastry – works great for my partner Jamie.
- Vegan Swap:  Use plant-based butter and a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water).
- Fix Soggy Pastry: Pat apples dry or add 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water to filling if juicy.
- Substitutions:  No pecans? Try walnuts or almonds. No jam? Honey or cream cheese works, like in my [dessert shells]
- Storage:  Keep at room temp for 1 day or fridge for 3. Reheat at 350°F for 5 minutes.
- Flavor Kick:  Add a squeeze of lime for brightness or a pinch of chili powder for a twist, inspired by my [Mexican chicken marinade]
- Calories:** ~250-300 per slice, with fiber from apples and healthy fats from pecans.