Apple Croissant Dessert with Caramelized Apples, Ice Cream, and Gruyère Recipe
This Apple Croissant recipe combines thinly sliced caramelized apples with a buttery flaky croissant, baked to golden perfection and served with a rich cream sauce, ice cream, and Gruyère cheese. It’s a decadent dessert that balances sweet and savory flavors, perfect for a comforting treat.
- 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
Fruit & Sweeteners
- 2 Apples (preferably Pink Cripps), thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar, divided
- 1/2 cup White sugar, divided
- 2 pinches of salt, divided
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
Baking & Dairy
- 1 Croissant (or 2 large day-old croissants)
- 1/3 cup Heavy cream (plus 1 tbsp for sauce)
- 3 tbsp Unsalted butter, divided
Additional
- Ice cream (to taste, for serving)
- Gruyère cheese (to taste, for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the apples: Thinly slice the apples and place them in a bowl with 3 tablespoons cane sugar, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, a pinch of salt, and the cinnamon. Mix to coat evenly.
- Caramelize the apples: Preheat a pan on high heat for about 2 minutes. Add 1.5 tablespoons of butter, then the apples mixture. Fry for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are slightly caramelized and softened.
- Prepare the croissant: Using a rolling pin, gently flatten the croissant(s) to make them thin enough to cover the apple mixture evenly.
- Bake: Place the caramelized apples in a baking dish and top with the flattened croissant. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes. Watch closely to ensure the croissant turns golden brown without burning. Once baked, let it cool for about 10 minutes. Flip carefully on the serving plate without shaking too much to avoid sticking.
- Make the cream sauce: In a saucepan, combine the remaining sugar and heavy cream. Bring to a boil and then simmer on medium for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens. Turn off the heat and stir in a pinch of salt and the remaining butter until well combined.
- Serve: Carefully flip the baked apple croissant onto a serving plate. Add a scoop of ice cream and sprinkle Gruyère cheese on top. Enjoy this luscious combination warm.
Notes
- Using day-old croissants helps them hold up better during baking without becoming too soggy.
- Gruyère adds a nice savory contrast, but you can substitute with other mild melting cheeses if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of cinnamon and sugar to taste based on sweetness preference of apples.
- Make sure to monitor the croissant closely while baking to avoid burning since oven temperatures can vary.
- This dessert is best served warm to enjoy the melty cheese and ice cream contrast.
Keywords: Apple Croissant, caramelized apples, baked croissant dessert, Gruyère dessert, sweet and savory, easy apple dessert
