Danish Twists Recipes

DANISH TWISTS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in yeast mixture and egg yolks; stir just until dough clings together. Cover and refrigerate overnight., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into thirds. Roll each portion into a 9x7-in. rectangle. Cut into 7x1-in. strips. Pinch ends together, forming a circle; twist once to form a figure eight. , Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 20 minutes. , Brush with egg whites. Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make a 1/2-in.-deep indentation in the center of each twist; fill with jam. , Bake at 350° for 14-16 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks. Combine the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Drizzle over warm rolls.

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 CREAM CHEESE DANISH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
• Line bottom of baking pan with 1 can of crescent rolls. Pinch all seams together to seal.
• In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, white sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract and sour cream. Spread filling on top of rolls. Place second can of rolls on top of filling.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes.
• In a small bowl, stir together confectioners' sugar, milk and butter. After Danish has cooled, drizzle with icing.

EMERIL'S BEAR CLAWS, DANISH TWISTS, DANISH POCKETS

Steps:

• **Divide the dough in thirds. A separate recipe for each type of Danish is preferred. Increase the fillings for each type. This recipe makes about 6 of each, depending on size of Danish.
• Bear Claws: Roll the dough out to 1/8-inch thick. The longer the dough the more claws yielded. Egg wash the entire piece of dough. Spread a thin layer of almond filling horizontally down the center third of the dough. Fold the bottom third of the dough up to cover the filling. Fold the top third of the dough down, like your folding a business letter. Egg wash the dough. Sprinkle with crushed almonds. Cut 2-ounce portions. Make three slashes into the side of each portion, and spread gently into a horse-shoe shape to separate the toes. Proof until dough in size about 15 to 20 minutes. Bake until golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Brush with apricot glaze.
• Danish twists: Roll the dough 1/8-inch thick. The longer the length the more twists yielded. Egg wash the dough lightly, sprinkle the entire surface with cinnamon sugar. Fold the dough in half from top to bottom. Slice 2-ounce strips with a pastry wheel. Twist loosely into desired shapes. Place on a baking sheet. Egg wash each twist. Proof until the dough doubles in size, about 15 to 20 minutes. Bake until golden, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush with apricot glaze.
• Filled Pockets: Roll the dough about 16 by 24 inches by 1/4-inch thick. Egg wash the dough. Cut the dough into 4 squares. Fold two opposite corners to overlap the center of the square. Egg wash the center portion of the pastry. Fill the open corners with the cheese or fruit filling. Proof the dough until dough in size, about 15 to 20 minutes. Bake until golden, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush with apricot glaze.

DANISH CRISPIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1/2 teaspoon sugar in 1/4 cup water; let stand for 5 minutes. Beat in the egg yolks, remaining sugar and water. , Combine the flour, milk powder and salt; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add to yeast mixture to make a soft dough. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top; cover and refrigerate overnight., Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Cover with a kitchen towel; let rest 10 minutes. Roll into an 18x10-in. rectangle; spread with softened butter. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over butter. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Pinch edges to seal. Cut into 3/4-in. slices., Preheat oven to 350°. Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle some on waxed paper. Place slices, cut side down, on cinnamon-sugar; roll each into a 5-in. circle, turning to coat both sides and adding cinnamon-sugar as needed. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Sprinkle tops with leftover cinnamon-sugar if desired. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to cool on wire racks.

DANISH "KLEJNER" FRIED TWISTS

Steps:

• Beat egg Yolks until light.
• Add cream & sugar, beat well.
• Add flour, salt& cinnamon.
• mix.
• Roll out small amount of dough to less than 1/8" thickness.
• Cut into 1x3" strips, cut the edges diagonally.
• Make a lengthwise slit in the middle of the strip and pull one end through.
• Fry in 350F deep oil for 2 minutes or until lightly browned, turning once.
• Drain on paper towel and sprinkle with confectioner's sugar.