Danish Almond Kringle Food

DANISH PUFF (ALMOND KRINGLE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

DANISH KRINGLE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cut 1 cup butter into flour until crumbly, leaving pea-sized chunks. Stir in sour cream, and mix well; dough will be very sticky. Form dough into a ball. Cover tightly, and refrigerate 8 hours, or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet. Prepare the filling by combining 1 cup butter, brown sugar, and 1 cup chopped walnuts.
• Divide dough into three equal parts; return two parts to the refrigerator to keep cold. Quickly form 1/3 of the dough into a rectangle, and flour lightly. On a heavily floured surface, roll out to approximately 12x17 inches. Position lengthwise on the work surface. Along the long edges of the dough rectangle, use a sharp knife to cut 4 inch long angled lines about 1/2 inch apart. Spoon 1/3 of the filling along the length of the rectangle's uncut center. Alternating from one side of the dough to the other, fold each 1/2 inch wide strip towards the center, crisscrossing the filling in a braid-like fashion. Lightly press together the ends of the strips to seal. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the remaining walnuts. Repeat with remaining ingredients to form 3 braided danishes. Arrange danishes on prepared baking sheet.
• Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown. Cool for approximately 30 minutes. While the danishes are cooling, prepare the icing: mix confectioners sugar and water until smooth. Drizzle in fine streams over warm danishes.

DANISH KRINGLE

Steps:

• Warm the milk in the microwave: Pour the milk into a microwave safe cup or bowl. Heat the milk in the microwave in 15 second intervals until it is warm to the touch but not scalding, about 100°F. If it scalds or burns, then it's too hot for the yeast. You can also use a thermometer to check the temperature of the milk to be sure it has reached 100°F.
• Enclose the filling: Use a pastry brush to brush the edges of the dough with water. Fold the long bottom edge up and over the filling, then fold the top edge down, overlapping the bottom edge to enclose the filling completely. Gently press the seam to close. You should end up with a long log.
• Arrange oven rack and preheat the oven: Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

DANISH ALMOND KRINGLE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the yeast, sugar, and milk. Let stand until the yeast dissolves and begins to foam, about 10 minutes. Stir in the cream.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and cardamom. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Fold in the yeast mixture just until the dough is moistened. Cover and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.
• Turn the chilled dough out onto a lightly floured surface. With a rolling pin, pound the dough until flattened to a 2-inch thickness, then roll the dough out into a 24-inch square.
• To prepare the filling, blend the almond paste, almonds, sugar, cinnamon, and almond extract together. Spread the filling to within 1 inch of the edges of the square, and roll the dough up as tightly as possible.
• Sprinkle the sugar for the topping on the work surface. Roll the dough firmly into the sugar to coat it well, and, at the same time, stretch it to form a log of dough 36 to 40 inches long.
• Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the roll on the paper in the shape of a pretzel. Brush the surface with the egg white and sprinkle with the almonds. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes, or until puffy but not doubled.
• Position the oven racks so that they are evenly spaced. Preheat the oven to convection bake at 300°F. Bake in the center of the oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until golden. Remove the bread from the oven and cool on a wire rack.

MARZIPAN BIRTHDAY KRINGLE

Steps:

• Combine yeast, 1 tbsp sugar, and warm milk in a small bowl. Let rest until the yeast dissolves and begins to foam (about 10 min). Gently stir in the cream.
• Combine the flour, 1/4 cup sugar, salt, and cardamom in a large bowl. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Fold in the yeast mixture just enough to moisten the dough. Cover and refrigerate 12 - 24 hours before rolling out the dough.
• Prepare the filling after the dough has been refrigerated by blending together all the filling ingredients.
• Lightly flour a pastry board or other smooth surface, and place the dough on the floured surface. Pound it with a rolling pin until the dough is flattened to a thickness of about 2 inches. Roll the dough to make a 24 inch square.
• Spread the filling to within 1 inch of the edges and roll up the dough as tightly as possible.
• Sprinkle 1/2 cup sugar on the work surface, and with your fingers, roll the dough firmly into the sugar to coat it, while also strething it to form a log measuring about 36 - 40 inches.
• Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place the roll on the paper in the shape of a large pretzel. Brush the surface with the beaten egg white, and sprinkle with sliced almonds.
• Cover and let rise 45 minutes, or until puffy, but not doubled.
• Bake in a 375 F oven for 25 - 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

FLAKY DANISH KRINGLE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, cream 6 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons flour. Spread into an 8x4-in. rectangle on a piece on waxed paper. Cover with waxed paper; refrigerate. , In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the cream, sugar, salt and egg; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Do not let rise. Roll into an 8-in. square. Remove top sheet of waxed paper from butter mixture; invert onto center of dough. Peel off waxed paper. Fold plain dough over butter layer. Fold widthwise into thirds. Roll out into a 12x6-in. rectangle. Fold into thirds. Repeat rolling and folding twice. Wrap in waxed paper; refrigerate for 30 minutes. , On a lightly floured surface, roll into a 24x5-in. rectangle. In a small bowl, beat almond paste and remaining butter; beat until smooth. Spread lengthwise down the center of dough. Fold dough over filling to cover; pinch to seal. Place on a greased baking sheet. Shape into a pretzel. Flatten lightly with a rolling pin. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350°., Brush egg white over dough. Sprinkle with cookie crumbs and almonds. Bake until golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Carefully remove from pan to a wire rack to cool.

KRINGLA (DANISH PUFF PASTRY)

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. To make the crust, cut the butter into the flour. Sprinkle with water and form into a dough. Shape into two 3" by 12" strips on an ungreased baking sheet.
• To make the topping, heat the butter and water to a full rolling boil in a saucepan. Remove from the heat and stir in flour and almond extract. Return to low heat and stir vigorously until it forms a ball (about 1 minute). Remove from heat and beat in eggs.
• Divide the topping in half and spread over crusts. Bake for 1 hour until brown and crispy.
• While the kringla is baking, make the icing. Sift the powdered sugar. Stir in milk and vanilla until smooth.
• After the pastries have cooled, top with the icing and let it set. When the icing has set, cut into strips.