Description
Create delicious homemade Danish pastries with flaky, buttery layers and a sweet filling. This recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, offering a taste of Danish tradition.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Dough:
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ¼ cup warm milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- For the Filling (example: cream cheese + fruit):
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup raspberry jam (or fruit of choice)
- For the Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, mix flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and egg, stirring until a dough forms. Knead gently until smooth. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
- Incorporate the Butter: Roll the dough into a rectangle. Place butter cubes across half of the dough, fold it over, and roll out again. Repeat folding and rolling 2–3 times to create flaky layers. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Shape the Danish: Roll out the dough and cut into squares. Place a spoonful of cream cheese mixture and a little jam in the center. Fold the corners toward the middle, pressing lightly to seal.
- Second Rise: Place pastries on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise for another 30–40 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
- Glaze and Serve: Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla into a smooth glaze. Drizzle over warm pastries before serving.
Notes
- If you’re short on time, you can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, simply shape, fill, and bake.
- Keep the butter cold while working with the dough for the best flaky texture.
- For fillings, try apricot jam, lemon curd, or chocolate spread for variety.
- Don’t skip the second rise—this gives the pastry its lightness.
- These taste best fresh but can be reheated in the oven for that just-baked texture.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Pastry
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Danish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pastry
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 9g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g