There are certain recipes that just feel like home — the ones that fill your kitchen with warmth, cinnamon, and the kind of love only a grandma can bake into a pan. For our family, that recipe is Grandma Linda’s Apple Danish.
Every holiday season, without fail, the scent of baked apples and buttery crescent rolls drifts from the kitchen, calling everyone in from the cold. It’s the kind of recipe that’s simple enough to make on a cozy December morning, but special enough to deserve a place on your holiday dessert table.
The best part? It’s made with love, cream cheese, and just the right touch of cinnamon sugar — no fancy steps, no stress, just pure comfort. Grandma always said the secret ingredient was serving it warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream (and we happen to agree).
1. Lightly grease your baking pan (Grandma always used her favorite sheet pan).
2. Layer the bottom with crescent rolls, pressing the seams together.
3. In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Spread that creamy mixture evenly over your crescent roll layer.
5. Spoon the apple pie filling over top — don’t be shy, pile it on!
6. Layer the remaining crescent rolls over the apples.
7. Melt the butter and brush it generously on top.
8. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle the sweet mixture over everything.
9. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
10. Let it cool slightly (if you can wait that long), then serve warm with ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Grandma Linda’s Apple Danish
Category: Holiday Favorite
Servings: 12
Total Time: 40 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Best Served: Warm with vanilla ice cream and good company
Ingredients
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4 cans crescent rolls
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2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese
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2 cans apple pie filling
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1 ½ cups sugar
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2 teaspoons vanilla
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2 teaspoons cinnamon
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3 tablespoons butter
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⅔ cup brown sugar
Directions
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Lightly grease your baking pan (Grandma always used her favorite sheet pan).
-
Layer the bottom with crescent rolls, pressing the seams together.
-
In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
-
Spread that creamy mixture evenly over your crescent roll layer.
-
Spoon the apple pie filling over top — don’t be shy, pile it on!
-
Layer the remaining crescent rolls over the apples.
-
Melt the butter and brush it generously on top.
-
Combine brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle the sweet mixture over everything.
-
Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
-
Let it cool slightly (if you can wait that long), then serve warm with ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
A Little Grandma Wisdom
Grandma Linda always said this dessert tastes best when shared — and she was right. There’s something about the smell of apples and cinnamon baking that makes a house feel like Christmas morning. Whether you serve it after dinner or sneak a piece for breakfast with your coffee (we won’t tell), it’s sure to become a family tradition.
So tie on your apron, put on some holiday music, and let Grandma Linda’s Apple Danish remind you that the best recipes don’t just fill your plate — they fill your heart. ❤️
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