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Homemade Danish Pastries recipe photo

Danish Pastries

These Danish pastries are a delightful treat! With flaky layers and sweet fillings, they're perfect for impressing guests at brunch.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: Danish
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pastry:
  • 2 cups unsalted butter divided
  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
For the Filling:
  • 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg for brushing
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup fruit jam, preserves, or canned pie filling
  • 1 large egg white mixed with water for egg wash
For the Glaze:
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk to thin the glaze

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Rolling Pin
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Pastry brush
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

Instructions:
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Stir well to combine. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
  2. Take 1 cup of the unsalted butter and soften it. Roll out the butter between two sheets of parchment paper into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Chill it in the refrigerator while you roll out the dough.
  3. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a large rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Place the chilled butter in the center of the dough and fold the edges over the butter, sealing it in.
  4. Roll the dough out again into a long rectangle, then fold it into thirds like a letter. Chill for 30 minutes. Repeat this rolling and folding process two more times to create layers.
  5. In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
  6. Roll out the dough one final time into a rectangle. Cut it into squares. Place a spoonful of cream cheese filling in the center of each square, followed by a dollop of fruit jam or preserves.
  7. Fold the corners of the square over the filling to create a pocket. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with the egg wash made from the egg white and water.
  8. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the pastries for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and flaky. Remove from the oven and let cool on a rack.
  9. In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of milk to create a glaze. Drizzle over the cooled pastries and enjoy your homemade Danish pastries!

Notes

  • Experiment with different fruit fillings based on the season.
  • Store pastries in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze unbaked pastries for longer storage.