Ingredients

Danish Pastry

• 500g flour
• 50g caster sugar
• 2 eggs (medium)
• 40g yeast
• 180ml milk or half water and half milk
• 250g butter (at room temperature)

Method

1. Place all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
2. Dissolve the yeast with a little of the milk.
3. Add the eggs and yeast and milk or mixture of milk and water to the dry ingredients. Mix them together at a medium speed for 15 minutes. If preparing by hand mix the ingredients to a dough then knead it until smooth and shiny.
4. Leave the dough to rest for 20 minutes.
5. Roll the dough out into a 30cm square around 2cm thick on a floured work top. Cut the butter into slices and place them in the centre of the dough (do not cover the edges). Cover the butter by folding one side inwards then fold the other side of the dough over it. Seal the ends of the dough with a rolling pin and leave it to rest in a cool place for 15-20 minutes.
6. Roll the dough out again into a 30cm square around 2cm thick. Turn the dough 180° and fold the sides in the same way as you did before. Leave the dough to stand for a further 15-20 minutes. Repeat this twice more so that you have folded it 4 times, rest the dough each time.
7. Roll out and fill the pastries and place them on baking sheets. Leave them to prove for 15 minutes in a warm place.
8. Cook the pastry on the top shelf of an oven preheated to 200°C for 10-12 minutes

• Almond Pastry (see recipe)
• Vanilla Pastry Cream (see recipe)
• Apple Puree (see recipe)
• Lemon Icing (see recipe)