Prune Danish Food

PRUNE-FILLED DANISH

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring plums and water to a boil. Cover; remove from the heat and let stand 10 minutes. Drain; reserving juice. , Unroll one tube of rolls and press into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Spread with half of the frosting. Cover with plums. Combine 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon reserved plum juice; drizzle over plums. , Roll out remaining rolls into a 13-in. x 9-in. rectangle. Place over plums. Combine remaining frosting and butter with 1 tablespoon plum juice. Carefully spread over dough. , Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes. Combine confectioners' sugar with 1-2 tablespoons plum juice; drizzle over cake. (Discard remaining plum juice).

DANISH APPLE AND PRUNE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and butter a 10-inch round cake pan.
• Cream together the butter, sugar, eggs, flour, almonds, milk, vanilla, boiling water and baking powder in a food processor, running it for 10 seconds. Run a spatula round the bowl and process for 5 seconds more. Pour into the prepared pan.
• Scatter the prunes evenly on the batter. Spoon over walnut and sugar mixture. Arrange the apple slices on top of the walnuts. Bake for 45 minutes.
• Sprinkle the surface with sugar and cinnamon. Dot with butter and bake for 20 to 25 minutes more, or until a skewer comes out clean. Cool in the tin.

FLAKY BUTTERY PRUNE DANISHES

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment combine the warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 15 minutes until the yeast gets foamy and frothy on the top of the milk. Add in the flour, egg and sugar and run the machine for several minutes on low until combined. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let sit for 10 minutes. Add the salt and run the machine medium for about 10 minutes. The dough will be a bit stiff at this stage as the butter hasn't been added yet. Place the dough in a lightly oiled lidded container and store in the fridge for at least 1 hour or until chilled through.
• Grate your cold butter with a cheese grater and stash in lidded container in the fridge to keep chilled.
• Once the dough is cool to the touch, roll it out to a rectangle about ¼ inch thick on a smooth, clean surface. No need to be perfect. Sprinkle half of the chilled grated butter over the dough and place the remaining butter back in the fridge. Fold the top third of the dough over the middle third and then fold the bottom third over the two layers. Take the open end of the dough and fold it over the middle third; grab the remaining open end and fold it over the two layers. Place the dough back in the lightly oiled, lidded container and place back in the fridge to cool completely. Read note in the blog text titled Freezer Method if you'd like to expedite the time between folds. Otherwise, allow several hours for the dough and butter to chill completely.
• Take the dough from the fridge and place on the counter with the open edge facing you. Roll the dough out to a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Sprinkle the remaining grated butter; fold like above and place back in the fridge to chill. Follow the same timeline as Turn One.
• Roll the dough out to a rectangle, like Turns One & Two. Make sure that each time you place the dough on the counter with the open edge of the dough packet facing you; this will ensure that you have been 'turning' the dough properly with each roll. You won't add any butter to these turns, but you roll out and fold the dough as you did for Turns One & Two. Let the dough chill for at least several hours or ideally overnight.
• Add the prunes, water, orange zest and juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and almond extract to a high-speed blender or food processor and mix until it becomes coarse and jammy. How delicious does this smell? Scoop into a lidded container and store on the counter if you're using the same or in the fridge if longer.
• If using the cream cheese filling, whisk together the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, egg yolk and almond extract. For an especially smooth filling give it a quick blitz in the blender. Stash in the fridge until ready to use.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and cream. Set aside. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside as well. Bring the jam to room temperature. If it's been refrigerated.
• Take the dough out of the fridge and set on a clean, light floured surface. Lightly flour the rolling pin (you can also use a wine bottle in a pinch) and your hands as well. Roll the dough into a large square about ½ inch thick (don't go thinner). Try to make this the sides as straight as possible; pull the dough a bit at the corners to get crisp angles (as best you can).
• Cut out 12 square pieces of dough of about the equal size. Working quickly, roll each square out to be 4- to 5-square inches; taking care not to roll the dough thinner than ¼ inch thickness. Use additional dough as needed to keep the dough from sticking. Place the squares on the prepared baking sheet, leaving 2-3 inches between each danish. Brush the corners with the egg wash and press the corners towards the middle to seal (see video). Reserve the egg wash for brushing the danishes just prior to baking. Cover with lightly oiled plastic wrap and let sit for about 90 minutes. The danishes will be puffed up and light to the touch.
• Preheat your oven to 400F (200C).
• Press the center of each danish down in the middle, re-securing the edges to the middle. Brush the outer edges of the danish with the remaining egg wash and sprinkle with the sparkling sugar. Place 2 teaspoons of cream cheese filling (if using) in the center of the danish and then top with 2 teaspoons of the prune jam. If just using the prune jam, then just place it in the middle...and consider adding another teaspoon if you're feeling it.
• Bake in the center of the oven for 12-15 minutes and the edges are nicely bronzed; we're talking a nice, George-Hamilton-at-the-start-of-summer bronze. Immediately transfer the danishes to a rack to cool a bit. These are delicious warm, fabulous at room temperature...I can't think of an occasion where they wouldn't be next level amazing? Enjoy friends!
• If you like this recipe, please give it a star rating and let me know how it went and if there are any tips or variations that we can share with others. Have fun!! xo

GRANDMA SKEET'S PRUNE KOLACHES

Steps:

• Place the warm water, salt, egg and 2 tablespoons butter in the pan of a bread machine. Add bread flour, and pour 1/4 cup sugar on the edge of the pan. Make a shallow hole in the flour and add the yeast. Close the lid, and set machine for the DOUGH cycle.
• While the dough is mixing, combine the prunes, prune juice, 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon, cloves and lime juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, and simmer until prunes are soft and the sauce has thickened, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and blend in a mixer or food processor until smooth.
• When the bread machine signals the end of the dough cycle, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 20 small egg-sized pieces. Cover with greased plastic wrap, and set aside for 10 minutes.
• In a small bowl, mix together 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup flour. Stir in melted butter and 1 teaspoon cinnamon to make a crumbly streusel.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a large baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
• Shape the kolache dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Press a shallow hole in the center of each one, and fill with prune filling. Top each of the kolaches with streusel. Let the kolaches rest until doubled in size, about 20 minutes.
• Bake until the tops are lightly browned, 14 to 16 minutes.

DANISH ROAST PORK WITH PRUNES (FLASKESTEG MED SVESKER)

Steps:

• Cut deep slits in pork loin and insert prune halves.
• Rub with the salt, pepper, and ginger.
• Roast uncovered in a 325° oven for about 1.5 hours.
• When done, remove from roasting pan.
• Heat pan drippings; stir in the flour, then add the prune juice and water.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste and cook until thickened.
• Stir in the jelly and serve the gravy over the sliced pork.

DANISH PASTRY BRAID

Steps:

• Quick Method Danish Pastry:
• Measure 3 1/2 cups flour into a bowl or work bowl of food processor with steel blade in place. Cut the butter into 1/4-inch slices and add to the flour. Process or cut the butter into the flour until the butter is about the size of kidney beans.
• In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in the cream or milk, cardamom, salt, eggs, and sugar.
• Turn the flour-butter mixture into the liquid ingredients, and with a rubber spatula mix carefully just until the dry ingredients are moistened. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours, overnight, or up to 4 days.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board; dust with flour. Pound and flatten to make a 16- to 20-inch rectangle. Fold into thirds, making 3 layers. Turn dough around and roll out again. Fold from the short sides into thirds. This should result in a perfect square. Repeat folding and rolling again if you wish.
• Wrap and chill the dough 30 minutes or as long as overnight.
• To make the Danish Pastry Braid:
• Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease and flour them.
• Divide the chilled dough into 2 parts. Roll each part out to make a rectangle 12 by 6 inches. Place these strips on the prepared baking sheets.
• To make the filling, cream the butter and sugar until light. Blend in the almond extract, almonds, almond paste, and egg white.
• Spread filling down the length of the center of the strips. Cut slanting strips at 3/4-inch intervals along both sides up toward the center using a pastry wheel. Fold strips over the filling in a crisscross manner
• Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
• Let strips rise for 15 to 30 minutes, just until the pastry strips look puffy; they will not double.
• To make a glaze, beat the egg with the milk or water. Brush the pastry lightly with it. Sprinkle the sugar and/or sliced almonds over the top.
• Bake about 15 minutes or until golden.
• Frost, if desired, with almond-water icing. Blend the sugar, water, and almond extract until smooth and thin enough to drizzle over the braids.

GREAT-GRANDMA'S PRUNE ROLL

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Add the butter, shortening, egg yolks, sugar and salt and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Cover and refrigerate overnight., In a large saucepan, cook plums in water 12-15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Mash; add sugar and lemon juice. Cook for 8-10 minutes over low heat until thickened. Cool and refrigerate., Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll each portion into a 3-in. x 9-in. rectangle. Dot with butter; sprinkle with cinnamon. Spread about 1/3 cup plum filling down the center of each. , Fold a third of the dough lengthwise over filling. Fold remaining dough over top; pinch seams to seal and tuck ends under. Place seam side down in two greased 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 2 hours or until doubled. , Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Combine the glaze ingredients; drizzle over loaves.

DANISH ROAST GOOSE WITH PRUNES & APPLES

Steps:

• Soak the pitted prunes overnight.
• Clean out all excess fat from the goose (keep the fat to render for later use).
• Rub the goose inside and out with the lemon salt& pepper.
• Stuff the bird with the prunes& apples and truss the bird.
• Prick the goose all over to help the fat escape while roasting.
• Place the goose on a roasting rack on it's side in a 375F oven.
• After 30 minutes pour off the fat.
• Pour in the boiling stock& continue cooking.
• Baste the goose from time to time.
• After 1 1/2 hours turn the goose on it's other side.
• Roast for another 1 1/2 hours.
• 30 minutes before the goose is cooked pour off the pan juices, leave to cool and skim off the fat.
• During the last 15 minutes of cooking lay the goose on it's back leave the oven door ajar to allow the skin to crisp or alternatively baste with several tablespoons of cold water.
• Use the pan juices (fat removed to make your gravy).

VINARTERTA

Steps:

• Make the cake: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Beat butter and granulated sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy. With machine running, add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in vanilla.
• Reduce speed to low. Working in batches, add flour mixture to butter mixture, alternating once with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until dough is smooth. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Make the filling: Combine prunes and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until prunes are tender, about 15 minutes. Strain, reserving liquid. Coarsely chop prunes in a food processor, and return to saucepan with reserved liquid and the granulated sugar. Cook over medium heat until mixture is thick, about 15 minutes. Add vanilla, salt, and cardamom. Refrigerate until slightly firm, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 7 equal pieces (about 6 ounces each). Roll each piece into a 10-inch round, and cut into a 9-inch circle using the bottom of a 9-inch cake pan as your guide. Place 1 dough circle on a baking sheet, and bake until edges are golden, about 14 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool. Repeat with remaining 6 dough circles.
• To assemble: Spread about 3/4 cup prune filling evenly onto 1 cake circle. Top with another circle, and continue until all 7 layers have been assembled (do not put filling on top layer). Wrap in plastic; let stand overnight.
• Dust cake with confectioners' sugar. Cut into quarters, then horizontally into 1/2-inch-thick slices.