Danish Pastry
This Danish pastry is a sinful delight made with rich, buttery, flaky dough. It's worth the effort and extra work involved. Make sure the dough is well-chilled before rolling, folding, and shaping.
This Danish pastry is a sinful delight made with rich, buttery, flaky dough. It's worth the effort and extra work involved. Make sure the dough is well-chilled before rolling, folding, and shaping.
step 1
Cream butter and 2/3 cup flour in a medium bowl until well combined. Divide into 2 equal parts, then roll each half between 2 pieces waxed paper into a 6x12-inch sheet. Chill sheets in the refrigerator.
step 2
Mix 3 cups flour with active dry yeast in a mixing bowl; set aside.
step 3
Stir together milk, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat until warm, but not hot to the touch, about 115 degrees F (43 degrees C).
step 4
Pour warm milk mixture over flour mixture. Add eggs, lemon extract, and almond extract. Stir for 3 minutes. Knead in remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until dough is firm and pliable. Cover and let rise at room temperature until doubled in size, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
step 5
Cut dough in half. Roll each half out to a 14-inch square. Place 1 sheet cold butter over each dough square off to one side, then fold dough over it like the cover of a book. Pinch the edges of dough together with your fingers.
step 6
Roll each piece out to a 20x12-inch rectangle. Fold into thirds like a letter. Repeat rolling and folding one more time. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
step 7
Roll and fold each piece of dough two more times. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
step 8
Roll dough out to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut dough into squares. Place a dollop of fruit preserves in the center. Fold 2 opposite corners over the center to form a filled diamond shape. Place danishes on an ungreased baking sheet. Allow to rise at room temperature until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
step 9
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (220 degrees C). Brush beaten egg white over pastries. Bake in the preheated oven until the bottoms are golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
2 cups unsalted butter, softened
⅔ cup all-purpose flour
8 cups all-purpose flour, divided
4 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
2 ½ cups milk
½ cup white sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups fruit preserves, any flavor
1 large egg white, beaten
Mixing Bowl
Saucepan
Baking Sheet
Ovens