Sweet Pastry with Creamy Cheese Filling
Breakfast Delight: Homemade Danish Pastries
Switch things up in the morning with these luscious, flavorful Danish pastries! Believe it or not, your kitchen mixer and some basic ingredients are all you need to whip up these flaky, sugary treats. Enjoy the exquisite taste of a homemade Danish, surpassing store-bought versions.
📝 Tips:- Don't fret about the multiple steps. You can break these down over time to better fit your schedule.- Need a shortcut? Swap the homemade dough for store-bought puff or croissant dough for a quick but delicious version.
👉 Ingredients
For the pastry:- 1 packet active dry yeast- 1/2 cup lukewarm milk- 1 egg, at room temperature- 1/4 cup sugar- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour- 1 tsp salt- 1/4 tsp ground cardamom- 1/4 tsp fresh, grated nutmeg- 1/2 lb (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
For the filling:- 1/2 lb (2 cups) softened cream cheese- 1/2 cup powdered sugar- 1 egg yolk (save the white for the egg wash)- 1 tsp lemon zest- 1 tsp vanilla extract- 1/4 tsp salt- A few tablespoons thick fruit preserves (optional)
For the egg wash and topping:- 1 egg white- Crystallized sugar, such as sanding sugar or turbinado sugar
💡 Enrichment Data:
Quicker Alternative: For a time-saving option, substitute the homemade pastry dough with store-bought puff or croissant dough, resulting in a tasty and hassle-free alternative.
🔪 Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine yeast, milk, egg, and sugar. Let it rest for a few minutes until the yeast foams.
- Prepare the dry mixture: In a food processor, add flour, salt, cardamom, and nutmeg. Pulse briefly to combine. Sprinkle the butter bits evenly over the flour. Pulse quickly, just enough to mix the butter into chunks about half their original size. Add the dry mixture to the yeast mixture and gently combine, keeping a lumpy texture. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, up to a couple of days.
- Roll and fold the pastry: On a lightly floured work surface, pat the dough into a thick square shape. Roll it out into a 16-inch square and then fold it into thirds, like a business letter. Rotate the folded dough and roll again into a rectangle. Fold the dough in thirds once more. Wrap the pastry and chill for at least 45 minutes, up to a couple of days. (You can also double-wrap and freeze the dough for up to a month; thaw overnight before continuing.)
- Prepare the filling: Combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, egg yolk, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and salt in a medium bowl, mixing until smooth. Optionally, add preserves to the filling.
- Shape and bake the pastries: Divide the dough in half and keep one portion chilled. Roll the first portion into a 10 x 20-inch rectangle. Trim the edges to attain a neat square shape. Cut the rectangle into 8 squares. Place a tablespoon or two of filling on the bottom point of each square. Fold the sides over the filling, pressing gently to seal. Brush pastries with egg white and sprinkle them with sugar. Let them rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 30 minutes.
- **Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the Danish for approximately 20-23 minutes until they turn golden brown and crisp. Allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool further. Best served warm or at room temperature. Enjoy your homemade Danish experience! 😋
Experience the benefits of homemade baking with these Danish pastries, featuring exacting recipes for the dough and filling. Swap the homemade dough for store-bought puff or croissant dough if you're after nutrition and taste in a quicker alternative. Once ready, savor the readiness of your homemade Danish pastries, ready to indulge in the delightful marriage of flaky dough and creamy filling that far surpasses store-bought versions.
