The Easiest Danish Pastry Recipe ever

This fabulous treat called a Danish was brought to Denmark by Austrian bakers. Since then, the Danish pastry has developed into a Danish delicacy that everyone loves.

To make the authentic recipe, you must make multilayer puff pastry, but the process of rolling, buttering, folding, and chilling multiple times, (you’ll find the recipe on the internet) is just a little too much for my busy schedule. So, I’ve discovered an easier way of doing it / a shortcut, but just as tasty:

Ingredients:

1 large egg + 1 more yolk(only)
225g cream cheese, softened
3 tbsp white sugar, plus more for dusting
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed

How to make it:

Preheat the oven to 200 °C and line 2 baking pans with parchment paper.

Beat the whole egg with 1 teaspoon of water in a small bowl and set aside to use as the egg wash later.
Beat the other egg yolk, cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract (or essence) in a medium bowl until smooth.
Take 2 sheets of puff pastry and cut them each into 4 squares.
Fold the corners of each square over to form octagon shapes (or you can do circles, which might be easier) – which can hold a filling in the middle.
Spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly into the middle of each (do not spread the mixture).
Lightly brush the exposed pastry with egg wash and dust with some sugar.
Bake until puffed and golden brown all over, for about 18 minutes.

Are Danish Pastries Really from Denmark?

The now very popular, Danish pastry was first made in Denmark during a strike among bakery workers in 1850. During that time the bakeries hired workers from Austria, who brought their own new baking traditions to the country. Thank you, Austria 😊.

Serving suggestions

When cooled you can add fresh fruit to decorate. This looks especially beautiful on a high tea table.

Or you can just ad a scoop of jam on top, if you need a little bit of extra sweetness…

What are Danish Pastries called in Denmark?

When traveling in Denmark, there is not a single bakery that does not sell Danish. You’ll find ‘Vienna Bread’ or ‘wienerbrød’ in many bakery-shop windows.

2 Things you must eat when in Denmark?

Definitely try the Snegle. (Nope it is not a snail. 😊 ) Snegle is a delicious cinnamon roll (known as Kanel Snegle / Kanelsnegle). But you’ll soon discover different versions of these delicious “snail-like rolls” all over Copenhagen. Actually, you’ll find some of the best bakeries in Copenhagen, including places like the award-winning Juno the Bakery in Århusgade 48, 2100 København, Denmark.

And then…you can’t make a trip to Denmark without eating a Danish. Enjoy !