Description
A delicious and visually appealing Almond Braided Danish Pastry that combines the rich flavor of almond paste with a flaky, buttery dough.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed to 110°F
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup almond paste
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk (for glaze)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Sliced almonds (for topping)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warmed milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
- Add the melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the yeast mixture, then pour this into the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
- Spread the almond paste evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Cut slits along the sides of the rectangle, about 1 inch apart, making sure not to cut all the way through.
- Starting from one end, fold the slits over the filling, alternating sides to create a braid.
- Transfer the braided pastry to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Beat the additional egg and brush it over the top of the pastry. Sprinkle sliced almonds on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon of milk to create a glaze. Drizzle over the warm pastry before serving.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of almond extract to the dough.
- You can also substitute the almond paste with Nutella or fruit preserves for a different filling option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Danish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg