Danish Pastry Recipes

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and 2/3 cup of flour. Divide into 2 equal parts, and roll each half between 2 pieces of waxed paper into a 6 x12 inch sheet. Refrigerate.
• In a large bowl, mix together the dry yeast and 3 cups of the remaining flour. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, sugar and salt. Heat to 115 degrees F (43 degrees C), or just warm, but not hot to the touch. Mix the warm milk mixture into the flour and yeast along with the eggs, and lemon and almond extracts. Stir for 3 minutes. Knead in the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time until the dough is firm and pliable. Set aside to rest until double in size.
• Cut the dough in half, and roll each half out to a 14 inch square. Place one sheet of the cold butter onto each piece of dough, and fold the dough over it like the cover of a book. Seal edges by pressing with fingers. Roll each piece out to a 20x 12 inch rectangle, then fold into thirds by folding the long sides in over the center. Repeat rolling into a large rectangle, and folding into thirds. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Remove from the refrigerator one at a time, and roll and fold each piece two more times. Return to the refrigerator to chill again before shaping. If the butter gets too warm, the dough will become difficult to manage.
• To make danishes, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. The dough can be cut into squares, with a filling placed in the center. Fold 2 of the corners over the center to form a filled diamond shape. Or, fold the piece in half, cut into 1 inch strips, stretch, twist and roll into a spiral. Place a dollop of preserves or other filling in the center. Place danishes on an ungreased baking sheet, and let rise until doubled. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (220 degrees C). Danishes can be brushed with egg white for a shiny finish.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the bottoms are golden brown.

Steps:

• Heat milk to luke warm, about 100 degrees. Remove from heat, pour into a bowl and whisk in yeast. Set aside while preparing other ingredients. Place flour, sugar and salt in bowl of food processor fitted with metal blade; pulse to mix. Add the 4 tablespoons butter and pulse until butter is absorbed and mixture is powdery in appearance. Add eggs and milk mixture and continue to pulse until dough forms a ball. If the dough refuses to form a ball, add up to 3 tablespoons more flour, one tablespoon at a time, pulsing once or twice between each addition.
• To mix by hand, combine flour salt and sugar in a bowl and stir well to mix. Rub in butter by hand, being sure to leave mixture cool and powdery. Beat eggs until liquid and add to flour mixture along with yeast-milk mixture. Stir vigorously with a rubber spatula to form a dough.
• Cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rest 5 minutes. Scrape dough to floured surface and fold dough over on itself 6 or 8 times, sprinkling with up to 3 tablespoons more flour if dough is very soft. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 to 8 hours.
• After the dough has chilled, prepare butter: Place half the flour on work surface and place butter on it. Scatter remaining flour on butter and pound the butter with a rolling pin to soften it to a malleable consistency. Scrape butter together and form into a cylinder. Immediately remove dough from refrigerator and press in into a 6 by 12-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Distribute dabs of butter in a 6 by 9-inch rectangle at the closer end of the dough, covering dough as completely as possible. Fold the top (unbuttered) portion of dough down over the middle section and the bottom (buttered) portion up to cover it. Position the dough so the fold is on the left and roll the dough back to its original size, flouring the surface and dough as necessary. Fold both short ends in to the middle of the dough and fold again at the middle, making 4 layers. Reposition the dough so that the fold is on the left again and repeat rolling and folding. Double-wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate dough several hours or overnight before using.

Steps:

• Pulse together the dry ingredients plus 2 tsp salt in a processor, then pulse in the milk and egg, plus 100ml water, until you have a smooth, slightly sticky dough. Knead for 1 min, using a little flour, until just smooth. Put into an oiled bowl, cover with oiled cling film and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hr until doubled in size (overnight in the fridge if you like).
• Flour your surface, then pat the dough out to a rectangle, 1cm thick. Lay the butter slices out over the middle of the dough, in a rectangle. Fold the pastry over the top, bottom and then sides until the butter is completely hidden. Press the edges down.
• Roll the dough out to a 50 x 30cm rectangle, first tapping out the dough with the rolling pin in gentle ridges, so that you can tell the butter is being squashed out evenly inside the pastry, before rolling properly. Turn dough 90 degrees, then fold the right third over and the left third over that. Do this three times, chilling for 15 mins after each roll.
• Cut the dough in half, into 2 squares. Roll one piece of dough to 35 x 35cm. Cut into 9 squares, then follow the instructions below for each filling and shape. If you want to make more than one shape, it's easy to divide the filling quantity. Don't worry if your squares rise as you work, just roll them out a bit again.
• To make 18 pecan pinwheels, whizz 85g pecans until fine, then stir in 50g light muscovado, 1 tbsp maple syrup and 25g softened butter. Cut each square of pastry almost to the middle from each corner, spoon on 1 tsp filling, then fold each point over and press into the middle. Scatter more chopped pecans and a little sugar over before baking. Drizzle with a little maple syrup to serve.
• For 18 apricot custard turnovers, you will need 150g tub custard, 2 x 320g cans apricots and a few tsps apricot jam. Put 2 tsp custard in the middle, sit two apricot halves on top, dot with jam, then pull 2 corners over and pinch to seal.
• To make 18 raisin swirls, mix 50g raisins, 25g caster sugar, 1 tsp mixed spice and 50g soft butter. Instead of cutting the dough into 9, leave it whole and spread the filling over. Roll up, slice into 9 rounds, then squash each one. Blend 50g icing sugar and a few drops of water to drizzle over once baked.
• Once shaped and filled, let the pastries rise for 30 mins until puffed and doubled in size. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Brush with beaten egg, make sure you pinch any edges together again, then bake for about 20 mins until golden and risen.

Steps:

• Do ahead
• Prepare the laminated dough as directed on page 182, up to the point of shaping and baking, and roll out as you would for large croissants, into a rectangle measuring about 24 inches wide by 9 inches long and just under 1/4 inch thick.
• Shaping
• To make Schnecken, if you want to use cinnamon sugar, you'll need to apply an egg wash before cutting the dough. Whisk the egg and water together, then gently brush it over the surface of the dough. Separately, whisk the cinnamon into the sugar, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the surface of the dough.
• Use a straight edge, such as a sturdy ruler, to cut 1-inch-wide vertical strips, so that you end up with about 24 strips, 8 to 9 inches long (the dough will shrink slightly as you cut it). For large schnecken, use the entire strip; for a mini version, cut each strip in half to make two 4-inch strips. Lift each strip at both ends and twist in opposite directions to form the strip into a springlike coil, then lay the strip on the work surface and coil it in a circular fashion to make a snail shape. (For full-size Schnecken, you can also coil them from both ends to form either an S-shaped double snail or an eyeglass-shaped double snail, which allows you to fill the schnecken with two fillings.) Tuck the outer end of the coil underneath to close off the circle.
• Place the schnecken 1 inch apart on a parchment-lined sheet pan and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Proof at room temperature for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, until the dough has swelled noticeably.
• To make pinwheels, cut the dough into approximately 3-inch squares for large pinwheels, or 2 1/2-inch squares for smaller pinwheels. Working with one piece at a time, use a metal pastry scraper to cut a notch at each corner, cutting from the corner toward the center without connecting the cuts; leave an uncut center about 1/2 inch wide to serve as a platform for the filling. Take the same side of each corner and fold it over to the center, pressing it into the uncut platform. When all 4 corners are folded, use your thumb to press the ends into each other and seal them in the center of the pinwheel. Don't worry if they come apart during the proofing stage; you can press and seal them again before you add the filling.
• Place the pinwheels about 1/2 inch apart on a parchment-lined sheet pan and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Proof at room temperature for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, until the pieces have swelled noticeably.
• Baking and glazing
• About 20 minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C). Fill the schnecken by using your thumb to make an indent in the center of each coil large and deep enough to hold about 1 heaping teaspoon of filling, then add whatever fillings you like. Fill the pinwheels by pressing the center with your thumb or finger to create a small pocket, and place about 1 teaspoon of whatever fillings you like into the pocket.
• For both Schnecken and pinwheels, make the fondant glaze while the oven preheats.
• Just before baking the Danish, prepare the hot glaze. Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan and bring it to a boil; stir until the sugar is dissolved, then lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer while the Danish bake. If you like, stir in the apricot preserves, or squeeze the juice from the lemon into the saucepan, then add the entire lemon half.
• As the syrup is heating up, place the pan of Danish into the oven and lower the oven temperature to 400°F (204°C). Bake for 6 minutes, then rotate the pan and bake for another 5 to 6 minutes, until a medium golden brown.
• As soon as the Danish come out of the oven, brush the hot syrup over them, including over the filling. Let the Danish cool on the pan for about 5 minutes, then drizzle streaks of the fondant glaze over them. Let the glaze set up for about 3 to 5 minutes, then enjoy!
• Filling Options: Cream Cheese Filling
• Combine all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl and cream them together until smooth and slightly fluffy. If using a mixer, use the paddle attachment and gradually increase the speed of the mixer to high. If mixing this filling by hand, use a large, sturdy spoon and be prepared to stir vigorously. The filling should be thick, creamy, and custardlike; it will firm up when baked.
• Fruit Filling
• If using diced apples or pears, poach them in boiling water for 1 minute, then drain. Whisk the water, sugar, salt, and cornstarch together in a saucepan to make a slurry, then bring it to a boil over a medium heat, stirring constantly. It should thicken by the time it comes to a boil. Remove it from the heat immediately, then stir in the fruit. Some fruits will leach moisture into the slurry, so stir the filling a few times as it cools.
• Lemon Curd
• Whisk the lemon juice, sugar, and eggs together in a double boiler over simmering water, then stir continuously until the mixture begins to thicken; this could take 10 to 15 minutes.
• As soon as the mixture thickens, add the butter and stir until it melts. Remove the lemon curd from the heat and continue to stir until the butter is fully incorporated. If it's lumpy, push it through a fine-mesh sieve to smooth it out. Lay a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the curd and set it aside to cool.
• Variation
• If you want richer, softer Danish dough, when making the détrempe, replace 6 tablespoons (3 oz / 85 g) of the water with 2 eggs (3.5 oz / 99 g).

Steps:

• FOR THE DANISH PASTRY: In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Add a pinch of sugar and let stand 5 minutes, until the yeast foams. Stir in the remaining sugar, the egg yolks, and whipping cream, then set aside.
• In a large bowl or in the work bowl of a food processor, combine the flour and salt. Cut in the butter until pieces are the size of kidney beans.
• Turn the flour-butter mixture into the bowl with the liquid ingredients. Fold together just until dry ingredients are moistened throughout. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 3 days.
• Prepare the filling of your choice (below).
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and dust with flour. Using a rolling pin, pound the dough until it is smooth and about 3/4 inch thick.
• Roll out to a 24-inch square. Fold the dough into thirds to make a long, narrow strip. Cut lengthwise into two parts.
• Working with one part at a time, roll the dough into a rectangle, about 24 by 6 by 1/4 inch.
• Spread half the filling in a 2-inch strip down the length of each dough strip.
• Brush the uncovered edges with egg white and fold over to seal in the filling, making a filled roll 24 inches long and about 3 inches wide.
• Brush the outside of the roll with egg white and press the sugar and sliced almonds on all sides. Repeat with the second half of the dough. Cut filled rolls into 12-inch lengths.
• Lightly grease a baking sheet or cover with parchment paper. Place the rolls on the baking sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes; they will not double.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden. Remove from the baking sheet onto a wire rack to cool. Serve warm.
• Makes four 12-inch-long pastries.
• FOR THE APPLE-ALMOND FILLING: In a large bowl, mix the apples, sugar, almonds, and cinnamon.
• FOR THE RAISIN ALMOND FILLING: In a small saucepan bring the water to a boil over medium high heat and add the raisins. Remove from the heat and let stand 5 minutes; DRAIN.
• In a large bowl, cream the butter until soft, then add cardamom, confectioners' sugar, and enough cream to make a smooth, spreadable mixture. Mix in the raisins and almonds.
• FOR THE MARZIPAN FILLING: Crumble the almond paste into a mixing bowl and blend in the almonds, confectioners' sugar, egg white, and almond extract until well mixed. You can do this quickly in the food processor.

Steps:

• Pastry:.
• Cut butter into flour.
• Add water and mix with fork.
• Shape into a ball and divide in half.
• Pat into two 12" X 3" strips on an ungreased cookie sheet.
• FILLING:.
• Bring water and butter to boil and remove from heat. Then IMMEDIATELY, (this is important), add flour and beat until smooth, then eggs, one at a time, beating.
• Add flavoring.
• Add almonds, if using.
• Spoon half of filling on each strip of pastry and spread just to the edges. It will be very thick. Bake 350 degrees for 60 minutes or until golden brown.
• Frost. (There is no sugar in the pastry itself, so the sweetness comes from whatever frosting you choose to use.).

Steps:

• Combine the flour, granulated sugar, yeast and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Add the butter and pulse to combine. The butter should be the size of small marbles and peas. Transfer this mixture to a medium bowl.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, milk and 2 tablespoons/30 milliliters water.
• Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture. Using a rubber spatula, fold the mixture until it is evenly moistened. Turn the dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap, shape into a small rectangle, and wrap well. Chill for at least 3 hours, and up to 2 days.
• On a lightly floured surface, using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough out to an 8-by-15-inch rectangle. With a short side facing you, fold the dough in thirds like a letter, bringing the top third of the dough down, then folding the bottom third up. Use a bench scraper to help lift and fold the dough if necessary. At this point, the dough will be rough and shaggy with visible butter pieces; as you roll and fold the dough it will come together. Rotate the dough 90 degrees. Repeat the rolling and folding process, then rotate the dough once more and roll and fold again. As you work, dust the work surface, your hands and the rolling pin with flour as necessary. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Repeat the entire rolling and folding process one more time for a grand total of six turns. If the dough starts to fight you and become difficult to roll at any point, just pop it in the fridge for an extra rest. Wrap the dough and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.