As we brace for a challenging week ahead, it’s clear that some comforting treats are in order. What better way to indulge than with a warm, flaky pastry filled with the comforting flavors of cinnamon and apples?
These vegan cinnamon pastries are inspired by my old favorite, the McDonald’s cinnamon danish. Although I haven’t seen them in years, I’ve recreated a version that brings back those delightful memories! With a flaky exterior, a rich cinnamon apple filling, and a luscious vanilla icing, these treats are sure to hit the spot. For those new to making bread dough, you can find mixing instructions in one of my other recipes.
These pastries require an overnight rise, so be sure to start them the day before. If you’d prefer a smaller batch, feel free to halve the recipe.
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 6 pastries
Ingredients
Dough:
- Frozen vegan pastry dough
Filling:
- 2 apples, peeled and chopped
- 1 tbsp vegan butter
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup apple cider or water
Cream Cheese Icing:
- 2 tbsp Follow Your Heart vegan cream cheese, cold
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp almond milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Optional Topping:
- 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and allow the pastry dough to thaw.
- Make the Filling: In a large pan, combine the chopped apples, vegan butter, cinnamon, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until the apples soften. Mix the cornstarch with the apple cider (or water) until smooth, then pour it over the apples. Continue to cook and stir for a few more minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the Dough: Lightly flour the thawed dough and roll it out to make it a bit larger. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into long strips. Connect the ends of two strips together and press to seal. If needed, dampen your fingertips with water to help seal. Twist the strips from the center outward to create a circle, using one strip as the base. Don’t worry if they aren’t completely sealed; they will come together during baking.
- Assemble and Bake: Fill the center of each pastry with the apple filling and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Icing: In a bowl, mix together the vegan cream cheese, powdered sugar, almond milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. If the icing is too thick, add almond milk a teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle the icing over the cooled pastries and sprinkle with optional toasted pecans.
Enjoy your homemade vegan cinnamon apple pastries!
