Classic Danish Puff

Danish puff is a traditional and easy to make breakfast pastry. Try this classic Danish Puff recipe by Betty Crocker to enjoy puff pastry at home!

There are certain things I make just around the holidays. Danish Puff is one of those special holiday recipes in our family.

I remember my Mom making this recipe for Easter morning. She always used the classic Betty Crocker recipe for Danish Puff. We’d eat a little bit of Danish puff before going to Son Rise worship at church, followed by our big Easter breakfast. It was the perfect little bit of breakfast and a special treat that we all loved.

I revived this tradition at home, and make it for all our holidays now! It’s a light breakfast before big meals and perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. You could make this recipe any time of the year really, but it is one of our holiday traditions now.

I know the words “puff pastry” make many think of the sheets you buy in the freezer section of the grocery store. Nothing store bought in this pastry recipe! Just your basics of flour, butter, eggs and water to make your own homemade pastry. And I promise you – it is easier than you think to make this delicious Danish Puff!

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Here’s how to make Danish Puff.

Danish Puff Ingredients

• Flour
• Butter
• Water
• Almond Extract
• Eggs
• Powdered Sugar
• Vanilla

How to Bake Danish Puff

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Scoop one cup of all-purpose flour into a small bowl. Cut in 1/2 cup butter, using knives, until butter is in small pieces. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons water over the flour mixture. Stir until completely combined into one ball of dough. (Hands usually aren’t recommended for pastry, but I often use mine to get the mixture completely combined.)

Once you have a ball of pastry dough, divide the dough into 2 equal parts. Pat each half into a strip on an ungreased cookie sheet. Each strip of dough should be about 12 inches by 3 inches. I use air bake cookie sheets like these for all my baking.

Repeat with the second ball of dough, patting into a 12 by 3 inch strip. I make the strips parallel to one another on my cookie sheet. Be sure to leave several inches of space in between the strips of dough.

Next, heat 1/2 cup butter and 1 cup water over medium heat to a rolling boil in a saucepan. This is a boil that can’t be easily stirred down.

Stir in 1 cup flour and 1 teaspoon almond extract. The almond extract is key to giving it a delicious flavor! This Watkins brand (which is so reasonably priced!) is my go to almond extract. Stir vigorously over low heat for 1 minute or until the mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat.

Beat in 3 eggs – all at once. Continue beating and stirring the dough with a firm spatula or wooden spoon until the dough is smooth. Divide in half and spread each half evenly over the strips. This egg mixture should completely cover the dough, stretching over all the sides so none of the bottom dough layer is showing. This is how you form the magical puff pastry layers!

Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees, or until topping is golden brown and crisp.

Cool completely. Then frost with a powdered sugar frosting.

To make the powdered sugar topping, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1 tablespoon warm water. Stir in 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar. Add up to 1 tablespoon MORE water if necessary, until you have a slightly thick but also smooth and spreadable frosting. You want your frosting to be thick enough to spread without dripping off your pastry.

Frost the top of the danish puff, leaving a 1/4 inch of space empty all around the puff. The rest of the top should be frosted.

Allow the frosting to harden. Slice into 1 inch strips to serve.

Notes

This is one recipe that is best left uncovered on your cookie sheet or very loosely covered with seran wrap. If you seal the danish puff into an airtight container, moisture will condense causing the glaze to melt and the danish puff to become soggy. Trust me. I’ve had this happen before.

I make the Danish Puff the night before I want to serve it as a special breakfast. It is a family favorite of ours, especially for the holidays!

I hope you enjoy Danish Puff as well!

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