Auntie Barbaras Yummy Easy Danish Pastry Recipes

DANISH PASTRY

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.

EASY DANISH

Steps:

• 1st Part:.
• Cut 1/2 cup butter into 1 cup flour.
• Sprinkle water over mixture and mix until it's moist enough to round into a ball.
• Divide in half.
• On ungreased baking sheet, pat each half into a strip that is roughly 12x3 inches, with strips about 3" apart.
• 2nd Part:.
• Heat 1/2 cup butter and 1 cup water to a rolling boil.
• Turn heat to lowest setting and quickly stir in 1 t. almond extract and 1 cup flour.
• Stir vigorously over low heat until mixture forms a ball, about 1 minute.
• Remove from heat.
• Beat in eggs, all at once, until smooth and glossy.
• Divide in half.
• Spread evenly over strips.
• Bake 60 minutes or until topping is crisp and brown.
• Frost with Sugar Glaze (see below) and sprinkle with nuts.
• Sugar Glaze:.
• Mix 3 cups powdered sugar, 4 T. butter, 1.5 t. vanilla, 1.5 t. almond extract, and 2-4 T. warm water until smooth and of spreading consistency.
• If you are topping with walnuts instead of almonds, use less almond extract or none at all and just use vanilla extract.
• Recipe can be made into individual puffs by patting dough into 3" circles, using a rounded tsp for each puff. Spread rounded tablespoon of batter (2nd part) over each circle, extending it just beyond the edge of the circle. Bake 30 minutes and frost.

PUFF PASTRY DANISHES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°. Beat first 4 ingredients until smooth; beat in 1 egg yolk., Mix water and remaining egg yolk. On a lightly floured surface, unfold each sheet of puff pastry; roll into a 12-in. square. Cut each into nine 4-in. squares; transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets., Top each square with 1 tablespoon cream cheese mixture and 1 rounded teaspoon jam. Bring 2 opposite corners of pastry over filling, sealing with yolk mixture. Brush tops with remaining yolk mixture., Bake until golden brown, 14-16 minutes. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers.