Everything Danish Recipes

EVERYTHING DANISH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, onion flakes and garlic flakes. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out into an 11-by-14-inch rectangle. Brush the dough with egg white. Sprinkle the seed mixture evenly over the top, pressing lightly to adhere.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Starting from a short side, roll the dough up into a tight coil. Using a bread knife, trim off the ends, then slice the coil into 10 equal pieces. Arrange the pastries on the baking sheets and loosely cover with plastic wrap. Let stand until slightly puffed, about 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes. Heat the oven to 425 degrees.
• In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolk with 1 teaspoon water.
• Remove the plastic and gently brush the top and sides of the pastries with the yolk mixture. Sprinkle with flaky salt. Bake for 10 minutes, then rotate the sheets and reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees. Continue to bake until puffed and deep golden brown, about 6 to 8 minutes more. Serve warm or room temperature.

ASSORTED INDIVIDUAL DANISH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to a rectangle measuring a little larger than 20 x 10 inches when relaxed. Brush off any excess flour. Square off the edges with a pizza cutter. Cut the rectangle into 10 (5 inch) squares. Spread each with remonce and/or the filling. Form the pastries. Place on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper. Proof, in a warm draft free place, covered with a dish towel, until they are a little puffy and a finger pressed lightly into the dough leaves a slight indentation. Brush lightly with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar or topping. Bake about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a rack. While still warm, brush lightly with warm apricot glaze or drizzle with icing.
• Pinwheels: Spread with remonce. Sprinkle on some extra cinnamon sugar. Brush the of the square with egg wash. Cut a slit from each corner almost into the center, stopping just short of the center. Fold every other tip into the center, overlapping them, and press firmly. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Proof, covered, about 1/2 hour. Press the center down with your finger where the tips overlap and fill with 1/2 rounded teaspoon jam or filling.
• Eggwash, sprinkle with coarse sugar, and bake about 20 minutes, or until nicely colored.
• Envelopes: Spread square with remonce. Sprinkle with finely chopped chocolate mixed with sugar. Turn the square so that a point is at the top. Put and elongated mound of about 2 tablespoons of cheese filling from top to bottom. Egg wash the side corners. Fold one corner over the filling and press firmly. Fold the other end over the top and press very firmly to seal. Place on lined baking sheet and proof, covered, about 1/2 hour. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar and chopped chocolate. Bake about 20 minutes, or until nicely browned. (Or spread with lemon curd and then cheese filling and garnish before baking with toasted sliced almonds.)
• Cheese pockets: Spread the square with remonce. Place a rounded tablespoon of cheese filling in the middle of the square. Brush the corners with egg wash. Fold two opposite sides up and press firmly, as in the envelopes above. Bring the bottom corner up and press firmly over the fold. Lastly, bring the top corner up and across the fold and pinch it to seal. Proof, covered, as above. Egg wash and sprinkle the top with streusel. Bake about 25 minutes, until nicely browned.
• Turnovers: Spread with remonce. Place a big dollop of chunky homemade applesauce or pear sauce on one side of the square. Egg wash the edges and fold over into a triangle. Press around the edge with a fork to seal. Proof, etc. Before baking, egg wash and sprinkle with coarse or pearl sugar.
• Whisk together the flour and sugar. Drizzle in the melted butter as you mix with your fingertips or a rubber spatula.
• Blend the sugar with the softened cream cheese until thoroughly combined. Don't overbeat or aerate. Mix in the yolk. Chill until firm.
• Mix to combine. You can use any spice or combination of spices.
• Place the apricot jam and water in a small saucepot and warm over medium high heat until it dissolves. Just before boiling, remove from heat. Dilute with a little more water if necessary until it is thin enough to brush evenly. Apply immediately with a soft, flat pastry brush.
• Whisk a very small amount of milk into the sugar until all the lumps are gone. Continue to add milk, a few drops at a time, until it ribbons off the whisk. Drizzle it over the warm pastry using your fingertips, a fork, or the whisk.
• Yield: 1/2 cup
• Cream the butter, sugar (and cinnamon, if added). Keep refrigerated. Let soften at room temperature to spreadable consistency before using.