I have said it before and I say it again…
Frozen puff pastry is a life saver.
I am amazed how fast one can just make Danishes, looking and tasting as if they came from the best bakery.
You know by now how I just love to cook and bake easy and simple things. This is one of those things up on the list of favorite fast baked goods.
We had an unannounced visit of friends this past weekend. Since I don’t keep cookies in the house at all, there is nothing to give our guests unless I bake it. Well, during the holidays I do, but that is about it. I bake “for each occasion”.
So, once again, I was saved by my good friend, the frozen puff pastry.
In Sweden we call a cup of tea or coffee at a break during mid morning or mid afternoon, for FIKA (Sorry all you Italians..). It always contains a sweet roll or/and cakes/cookies. Sometimes a small sandwich. We love it. I actually laugh at my friends that comes over for a visit from Sweden, how they start to look around the house at 3pm on the dot. Trying to locate the goodies hidden somewhere in the kitchen. Looking at this from the “outside” it is a little funny, how Swedes stay so slim. Because there really is a break of the day, twice if allowed, to eat baked goods like this.
And at most workplaces there is a “fika room”. Meaning a break room where you go and drink your coffee and eat your baked goods. Of course it also serves as a lunchroom, but it actually is more often just plain and simple called the fika room. By law you are allowed a fika break for 15 minutes twice a day. Perhaps I should tell my boss here in the states? It really is a good idea.
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Superfast Danishes.
Makes 6-8 (depending on how big you decide to make them).
6-8 tbsp. of jam, your favorite kind. I use raspberry jam.
6-8 tbsp. of thick vanilla sauce or vanilla pudding (optional).
1 egg, whisked.
Powdered sugar for decoration.
Directions:
If you have time, defrost the puff pastry in the fridge over nigh, if not, just defrost on the kitchen counter or if you really are in a hurry, carefully defrost in the microwave.
Unfold the dough and cut it into 6-8 squares (or into preferred size).
Put a tbsp. of jam in the center of the square and spread it out slightly.
Grab and lift each corner and punch it down in the center of the danish. It becomes a little pouch.
Place it on a lined baking sheet. Brush them with the egg.
Bake in a 450F (225C) degree oven for about 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
Let cool down slightly. Dust with powdered sugar.
Ready to serve.
You could experiment with different fillings. Another really delicious filling is almond paste. Very traditional as well. You can “loosen it up” a little bit by mixing it with a dab of butter.
You can also make them into different shapes. They don’t have to be “closed”. You could lift and push down two opposite corners and leave two flat. If you do that version, please the filling on the flat part of the dough, close to the center. One kind on each side. This is a very good and probably the most traditional Danish.
I hope you will bake some danishes now. Unfortunately they are a hot commodity and will not last long.
Enjoy!!!
