Imagine biting into a warm, flaky pastry that melts in your mouth, filled with your choice of luscious fruit preserves or creamy cheese. Welcome to the world of Quick Danish Pastry Viennabrod, a delightful Scandinavian treat that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon snack. This recipe is not just quick; it’s a game-changer for anyone looking to impress friends and family with minimal effort. In just 35 minutes, you can transform simple ingredients into a stunning pastry that will have everyone asking for seconds. Ready to elevate your baking skills? Let’s dive into this delectable recipe!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Scandinavian
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Filling of choice (e.g., fruit preserves, cream cheese)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough by sifting together flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Cut the cold unsalted butter into small cubes and add to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together milk, beaten egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the flour-butter mixture, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead a few times to bring it together.
- Roll the dough into a rectangular shape, approximately 1/4 inch thick. Fold the dough into thirds, like a letter, and then wrap in plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to allow the butter to firm up and create flaky layers.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out again into a large rectangle.
- Cut the dough into 12 equal-sized squares or triangles.
- Place a small amount of filling in the center of each piece of dough. For traditional Danish pastry, use fruit preserves or cream cheese.
- Fold the corners of each piece towards the center, creating a pinwheel or envelope shape. Gently press the edges to seal.
- Brush the tops of the pastries with additional beaten egg to create a golden, shiny finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown and puffed.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving.
- Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a light glaze for extra sweetness.
Tips
- Chill Your Ingredients: For the flakiest pastry, ensure your butter is cold and your dough is chilled before baking. This helps create those irresistible layers.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until the dough comes together. Overmixing can lead to tough pastries.
- Experiment with Fillings: While traditional fillings like fruit preserves and cream cheese are delicious, feel free to get creative! Try chocolate, almond paste, or even savory options like ham and cheese.
- Perfectly Folded Pastries: When folding the corners of the dough, ensure they are sealed well to prevent any filling from leaking out during baking.
- Brush for Shine: For a beautiful golden finish, brush the tops of your pastries with beaten egg before baking. This adds an appealing shine and enhances the color.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve your pastries warm, dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with a light glaze for an extra touch of sweetness that will delight your taste buds.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 28g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 75mg
