Apple Pie Croissant Boats
You have to make our apple pie croissant boats and know that you’ll be one of the first! Here’s an original idea we had of using leftover croissants for a dessert that looks elegant but totally not fussy. The pastry cream base with fragrant apples baked in a crispy croissant is all you need to know. One bite and you’ll be making this on the regular.
Homemade Pastry Cream and Apple Stuffed Croissants
These crispy and amazing croissant are out of this world. The creamy pastry cream base is super easy to make and top with sauteed apples with all the good spices. It’s a trio of flavors, textures and mind blowing deliciousness. It’s so simple, we wondered why no one was doing this yet. After making our popular homemade better than Starbucks apple croissants, we envisioned an easier and creamier apple pastry recipe.
Video: Apple Pie Croissant Boats Recipe
Vanilla Pudding Instead of Pastry Cream
A quicker way to get the creamy base on the croissants is to use the boxed Vanilla Pudding. It certainly works great and if you have a box in your pantry, then this recipe is even easier.
Apple Pie Croissants Boats
Ingredients
For the Croissant Boats
- 6 large croissants
- Apple filling (see below)
- 1 cup pastry cream or vanilla pudding pastry cream recipe below
- powdered sugar , optional for dusting top of pastries
Apple Filling
- 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) butter
- 2 large apples , peeled and diced into small 1/4 inch pieces
- 1/4 cup (55 g) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt or to taste
- 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) water
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) lemon juice
Optional Pastry Cream
- 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar
- 2 Tablespoons (16 g) cornstarch
- pinch salt
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) vanilla extract
Equipment
- Powdered Sugar Duster optional
Instructions
Make Apple Pie Filling
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add apples and sauté apples until the they start to soften a bit, around 3 min. (depending on apple thickness and apple variety).
- When apples are starting to soften, stir in the 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon clove, and about 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 2 Tablespoons flour, 2 Tablespoons water, and 1 Tablespoon lemon juice.
- Pour the flour/water mixture to the apples and stir until everything is combined. Cook for 30 seconds – 1 minute or until the juices thicken to a gravy-like texture.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Make Optional Pastry Cream
- Combine the 1/4 cup sugar, 2 Tablespoons cornstarch, and pinch of salt in a bowl.
- Add the 2 egg yolks and mix until smooth.
- The mixture should be smooth like this.
- In a saucepan, heat the milk to a simmer, stirring frequently to keep the milk from burning to the bottom of the pan.
- After the milk begins to simmer, remove from the heat and pour about 1/3 of the hot milk to the egg/sugar mix, whisking rapidly. (Do not pour all the hot milk, only 1/3)
- Then pour the tempered egg/sugar/milk mix back into the saucepan with the rest of the milk.
- Return the saucepan to the heat and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to boil and thickens to a pudding-like consistency.
- Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla extract. Set aside. If not using right away, top with a piece of wax paper or parchment paper to keep a skin from forming.
Make the Croissant Boats
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Score the croissants and remove a small section of the croissant bread to form boats. Place the croissant boats on a baking sheet pan or baking dish.
- Add a couple tablespoons of the pastry cream or vanilla pudding to the inside bottom of the croissant boats.
- Add a couple tablespoons of apple filling to each boat.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the croissants are nice and crispy.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool. Dust with some powdered sugar and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition Information per Serving
Ice Cream Topping for Apple Pie Croissant Boats
To take these dessert croissants over the top, add a dollop of ice cream on top! Treat the apple stuffed croissant like a slice of apple pie and make it a la mode. If you don’t top with ice cream, then whipped cream and cool whip is equally delish! Make our croissant pumpkin bread pudding and ice cream or whipped cream on top is fantastic.
Savory Stuffed Croissants
If you love savory croissants, then you have to make our recipe for croissant egg boats. These are amazing and a great morning savory dish that is always perfect. We love savory breakfasts and having a croissant stuffed with egg and cheese is amazing.
Easy Recipes:
- homemade apple galette with flaky pie crust
- super easy sparkling water or 7-up cheddar drop biscuits
- persimmon bread using super ripe hachiya persimmon pulp
