Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Danish Braid


This recipe took me awhile.  I had it on my "to-do" list for the past two weeks but somehow it eluded me.  Things kept getting in the way or rather things were always higher on the "to-do" list, exciting things such as laundry or sorting through winter clothes.  I was having a conversation about this with one of my friends today; how the things I like to do or want to do, often get shoved down on the priority list or maybe not even purposefully shoved down but circumstantially bumped.  I am uncertain how to remedy this for the long term (the answer I am sure, is far greater than the scope of this blog) but yesterday and today I decided to put this at the top of the list and get it done.

The recipe actually requires three recipes or three components: the danish pastry dough, the fruit filling and the "other" filling.  I decided on an apricot filling (I was short on apricots so added in cherries as well) and the almond filling.  The dough I made a day or two ago and just used a pastry cutter to cut in the butter instead of the recommended food processor.  Thank goodness at this point, I took the time to read some of my fellow bloggers' blogs as I would have skipped all the turns (the rolling and the folding) required for this dough.  

The final turn.
Once the dough was chilled and ready, it all came together rather easily.   Fillings were spread into the center, diagonals cut and braided over, egg wash applied and sprinkled with sugar  (I didn't have the almonds).   A short rise and into the oven.  




I imagine this to be a crowd pleaser (I didn't have a crowd to feed it to this time round).  It looks quite fancy and tastes like a perfect breakfast pastry.  And the best part is, I have another dough sheet all ready in the freezer ready to go, for the next time my priorities get rearranged.  



Rhiannon, now 2!










6 comments:

  1. Glad you carved some time out for you to bake! This was a great recipe. And I can tell your pastry is going to be good by the butter chunks I can see in your rolled out dough!!
    Your braid looks perfect! Great job! I really loved this recipe. I went with a cream cheese filling and a jar of apricot spread (made the recipe a lot faster). And I used the other half for pinwheels the next day. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful! This is one that is worth the work. Your little one is adorable, too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It doesn't seem fair that life works that way, does it?
    Your braided loaf looks great - and I am sure you will enjoy the dough from the freezer even more (because the work is already done!)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was way late. Like you, it just kept getting put further down the list. We enjoyed this one. You cut your slits perfectly! Your braid looks lovely. I'm looking forward to using the dough from the freezer for pinwheels.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is one great looking braid! I wholeheartedly agree with you, it is a crowd pleaser, even without a crowd :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Delicious! Chris ate his last night, and I had mine after school today. Thanks for sharing! Adorable photo =)

    ReplyDelete