Homemade Danish Pastry Recipe

A Danish pastry is a baked treat consisting of layers of buttery, yeasted puff pastry dough base encircling a sweet filling. Also known as a “Wienerbrød” (meaning “Viennese bread”), Austrian bakers in the mid-nineteenth century created this breakfast pastry, which later gained popularity in Denmark. Danish pastries feature various fillings, including thick fruit preserves, sweetened cream cheese, and savory additions. Bakers commonly shape the pastries into circles or squares.

When it comes to these classic pastries, the filling possibilities are endless. Some of the most popular variations include:

1. 1. Blackberry Danish: Add a dollop of blackberry jam or preserves to the center of your Danish for some tart and fruity flavor.
2. 2. Blueberry Danish: Pair tart blueberries with a sweet cream cheese filling for a tangy and decadent treat.
3. 3. Cinnamon apple Danish: Make a fall-friendly pastry with an apple pie filling. Dice stewed apples sautéed in cinnamon and butter and add them to your pastry.
4. 4. Cherry Danish: Cherry preserves or cherry pie filling are excellent sweet-and-tart Danish fillings. This bright fruit also pairs well with cheesecake filling to make a double-flavored pastry.
5. 5. Chocolate Danish: Add semi-sweet chocolate to the center of your pastries for a deep, rich bite. Chocolate ganache also makes a flavorful Danish filling that sets with a toothsome, creamy texture.
6. 6. Cranberry-orange Danish: Pair orange preserves with dried or fresh cranberries to make a tart and sweet Danish filling for a classic flavor combination.
   
7. 7. Cream cheese Danish: Fill your Danish with a sweetened cream cheese mixture for a rich, satisfying confection.
8. 8. Lemon Danish: Use lemon curd, lemon pudding, or fresh lemon zest for a pleasantly sweet-and-sour Danish.
9. 9. Maple pecan Danish: Place maple-glazed pecans in the center of your Danish for a sweet, crunchy, fall-friendly treat.
10. 10. Mixed berry Danish: Mixed berry preserves or a fresh berry medley make the perfect eclectically sweet pastry filling. Top with a drizzle of icing and white chocolate flakes for some added sweetness.
11. 11. Hazelnut spread Danish: Place a dollop of chocolate hazelnut at the center of your Danish for an extra-sweet cocoa treat. Top the spread with sliced bananas or strawberries.
12. 12. Peach Danish: Add some stewed peaches—or the stone fruit of your choice—to the center of your Danish for a delicious summertime bite.
13. 13. Rhubarb Danish: Combine chopped rhubarb with sugar, butter, and a sprinkling of flour for a filling that replicates the flavors of a rhubarb pie.
14. 14. Savory Danish: For a more savory take on this classic pastry, fill your pastry with caramelized onions, crumbled bacon, herbs, and cheeses.
15. 15. Strawberry Danish: Pair fresh strawberries with a cream cheese filling for a strawberry cheesecake–inspired treat.

Follow these simple tips to make the best Danish possible.

1. 1. Keep your butter cold. For flaky, airy Danish dough, chill your butter thoroughly before assembling it. If the butter melts as you work it into the dough, place it in the freezer to cool down before you resume the pastry-making process.
2. 2. Experiment with toppings. Dress your Danishes with tasty toppings like a classic powdered sugar glaze, crushed nuts, fresh fruit, or a chocolate drizzle.
3. 3. Store in an airtight container. These moist pastries will keep well in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days. For long-term storage, freeze the assembled pastries before or after baking. Simply wrap the room-temperature pastries in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat the pastries, let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight before warming in a pastry oven or convection oven.
4. 4. Freeze leftover dough. Freeze unbaked Danishes in a freezer bag for up to 1 month and bake them straight from frozen; add 15 minutes to your bake time to account for the thawing process.