Apple Croissant Dessert with Caramelized Apples and Cream Recipe
This delightful Apple Croissant recipe combines thinly sliced, caramelized apples with flaky croissants, baked to golden perfection and topped with a luscious cream sauce, Gruyère cheese, and ice cream for a decadent dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 2 Apples (preferably Pink Cripps), thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp Brown sugar
- 3 tbsp White sugar (cane sugar)
- 2 pinches of salt
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- 3 tbsp Unsalted butter
Croissant
- 1 large or 2 day old croissants
Sauce
- 1/3 cup Heavy cream (plus 1 tbsp)
- Remaining sugar from the filling (approximately 1/2 cup combined sugars minus what is used for apples)
- Remaining 1 tbsp Unsalted butter
- Pinch of salt
Toppings
- Ice cream (to taste)
- Gruyère cheese (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare Apples: Thinly slice the apples and place them in a bowl with 3 tablespoons of cane sugar, 3 tablespoons of brown sugar, two pinches of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Mix to coat evenly.
- Caramelize Apples: Preheat a pan on high heat for 2 minutes. Add 1.5 tablespoons of unsalted butter and the prepared apples. Fry the apples for about 7 minutes until they become slightly caramelized and softened, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Croissants: Using a rolling pin, flatten the croissants evenly to create a uniform thickness, suitable for layering over the apples.
- Assemble and Bake: Place the caramelized apples in a baking dish or pan. Layer the flattened croissants on top of the apples. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes until the croissants are golden brown. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes, carefully flipping once but avoiding excessive movement to prevent sticking.
- Make Cream Sauce: In a saucepan, combine the remaining sugar and 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon of heavy cream. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then simmer for 4-5 minutes while stirring frequently until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter and a pinch of salt, and mix until smooth.
- Serve: Place the baked croissant and apple mixture onto serving plates. Top with the prepared cream sauce, a generous scoop of ice cream, and sprinkle with Gruyère cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy the combination of warm, flaky pastry, sweet caramelized apples, rich cream sauce, creamy ice cream, and savory cheese.
Notes
- Use day-old croissants for better texture when baked.
- Gruyère adds a subtle savory contrast, but can be omitted if preferred.
- Serve warm with ice cream for the best flavor experience.
- Careful flipping after baking prevents sticking and preserves presentation.
- Adjust cinnamon and sugar amounts to taste depending on apple sweetness.
Keywords: apple croissant, caramelized apples, dessert, croissant dessert, baked croissant, apple recipe, Gruyère cheese, caramel sauce, easy dessert
