In a small bowl, mix together the yeast, warm water, and 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Stir slightly and set aside.

On the stove top, mix together the sour cream, butter, 1/4 cup of sugar, and salt. Stir and simmer slightly until all ingredients are melted. Let this mixture cool slightly before moving onto the next step.

In a large bowl, mix together the sour cream mixture, yeast mixture, and the egg. Combine well.

Add in the flour and knead until combined. Shape into a ball and place a cloth over the top. Place the entire bowl in the fridge for 2 hours.

Remove the dough from the fridge after 2 hours and knead slightly. Roll out the dough onto a greased cookie sheet into a rectangle (about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch thick). Using a pizza cutter, cut slits about 3 inches long and one inch wide into each side of the dough.

Mix together the cream cheese (softened), 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar, and the vanilla extract. Stir until the sugar has melted into the cream cheese.

Spread the cream cheese evenly down the middle of the danish.

If you are using fresh apples, peel and slice the apples. In a saucepan, cook the apples over a medium heat (with a little butteuntil the apples are cooked. Add in the cinnamon and apple pie spice. If you are using canned apples you can simply add in the spices. (More recipes using canned apples here!)

Spread over the top of the cream cheese.

Use the side strips of the dough to create the braid over the top of the apples and cream cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until the dough is turning brown on the top.