Better than Starbucks Baked Apple Croissants {Copycat}
Have you tried the baked apple croissants from Starbucks? Well we have and weren’t impressed. Homemade is always better tasting and budget friendly so we did some homework and made our own version. Our Starbucks baked apple croissants recipe is a copycat recipe and we really feel they’re better than Starbucks on so many levels.
Copycat Starbucks Baked Apple Croissants
It was pretty obvious that these apple pastries would be so easy at home. All it takes is a simple sauteed apple filling and some store bought pastry dough. The warm smell of spiced apple pastries wafting through the kitchen is like being in an apple bakery. There’s so much warmth and comfort when the oven is baking such fragrant pastried. That’s the best part of baking apple desserts! And if you haven’t had a Starbucks baked apple croissants yet, then give it a try. Then compare it to the homemade version!
Video: Better than Starbucks Baked Apple Croissants
Quick and Easy Method for These Baked Apple Pastries
Our easy apple filling doesn’t hardly take time at all, but it does involve some chopping of fresh apples. Here’s some tips are making this recipe as easy as possible:
- For a really quick hack, you can use a can of prepared apple filling. But add a teaspoon of cinnamon in it for a nice touch of extra spice. This will save you some time in preparing the apple filling.
- Using prepared pastry dough is always great and they’re so budget friendly. They bake up great too so it’s not a fussy pastry at all. If you have the time and want to make homemade puff pastry, then give it a try.
- If you want to make the filling using homemade apples, then you can prepare this up to 2 days ahead of time. This is great for holiday baking and fitting it into the busy eating day. All you need to do is cut the pastry and fill it with the pre-made filling and voila! You can serve warm apple croissants for everyone to enjoy.
- Yes, we know… puff pastry dough isn’t the exact same as croissant dough. But it is still a buttery, delicious laminate dough which is readily available in stores. And the pastries will be flaky and delicious.
Better Than Starbucks Baked Apple Croissants
Ingredients
For the Croissant
- 1 sheet puff pastry , thawed (half a package-frozen sheet approx 10"x12"/25-30cm)
- Apple filling (see below)
- 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) butter , melted for brushing 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
Instructions
- Heat large saucepan on medium high heat and melt 2 Tablespoons of butter. Add the diced apples and cook for about 3-5 minutes or until apples are tender but not overcooked.
- Add the 1/4 cup of brown sugar and spices (1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, & 1/4 teaspoon salt) into the apples and stir until evenly combined.
- In a small bowl, mix together the 1 Tablespoon flour, 1 Tablespoon water, and 2 teaspoons lemon juice until smooth.
- Add flour mixture to the apples and cook for another 30 seconds – 1 minute or until the juices thicken to a gravy-like consistency.
- Remove from heat and set aside to cool for about 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- After the apple filling has cooled, cut the puff pastry into 9 squares.
- Gently stretch the pastry squares slightly from the middle out, but be careful to not tear a hole in it (should be large enough for sides to fill muffin cup).
- Place the puff pastry square into muffin tins.
- Add a couple tablespoons of apple filling to each square.
- Fold the corners of the puff pastry over the filling and pinch together.
- Brush the tops of the pastry with melted butter.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35-40 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and crispy.
Video
Nutrition Information per Serving
Can you make the baked apple croissants ahead of time?
Sure, you can but the pastry can be a still cold and bland the next day. But warming them up in the oven before serving is always better. Or if you have a large air fryer you can use that to crisp up the pastry again. Our suggestion is to pre-make the apple pie filling, then day of serving all you need to do is to cut the pastry and bake. But do what ever works for your schedule and timing.
Best Apples for Pastries?
Seriously there’s always alot of discussion about this and honestly, they’re all great. There’s so many apple varieties out there now that are great for eating fresh. But those tend to be more expensive and we wouldn’t use those for the apple filling. The chunks of apples gets cooked down with spices so the fresh taste that you’re paying for is going to get lost. Just use the easiest apples you can get your hands on that are budget friendly. So even use what ever leftover apples that you have.
